A Review of the Health Effects of Stimulant Drinks
- Project start date: 1 March 2005
- Project status: Completed
- Project type: Food safety
- Discipline: Food marketing
- Author/s: Dr Declan Bolton, Teagasc Food Research Centre, Dublin
- Collaborator/s: Dr Margaret O’ Sullivan, Health Service Executive – South, Prof Seamus Fanning, University College Dublin
Research objective
The objective of this project was to review the potential health effects on the population of Ireland from the consumption of stimulant drinks, to assess the knowledge gaps and to consider the need for any action to protect public health.
Research report
- Title: A Review of the Health Effects of Stimulant Drinks
- Publication date: 6 February 2002
- Summary: Whether used as a mixer with alcohol or an energy booster taken alone, stimulant drinks have raised issues and concerns which are addressed in this report.
- Findings:
Caffeine is one of the main ingredients of stimulant drinks. Large intake levels among the highest consumers are a cause of concern, particularly in relation to the known potential acute health effects of caffeine. The health effects of chronic or habitual caffeine consumption remain uncertain. It is recommended that pregnant women should limit their daily intake of caffeine to 300 mg; equivalent to four cans of stimulant drinks. Some studies have indicated that a dose of 5 mg.kg-1 body mass increased arousal, irritability, nervousness or anxiety in some children. Information on the possible interactions in humans of caffeine with other constituents of stimulant drinks, is very limited, warranting further investigation.
Guarana is chemically similar to caffeine with comparable stimulant effects often added to stimulant drinks, either in combination with caffeine or on its own. It has been reported that guarana exerts a more prolonged effect than an equivalent amount of caffeine. There are reports in the literature of toxicosis associated with guarana in experimental animals. However, the information is limited.
Stimulant drink intake at the maximum level provides taurine far in excess of that from other foods or beverages in the diet. While limited, the data available indicate no evidence of adverse effects of taurine at such intakes.
Maximum levels of intake reported provide more glucuronolactone than would otherwise be achieved through other foods or beverages in the diet. There is very little information available for risk assessment of glucuronolactone at such intakes, with no indication that there is any risk to health from consumption of high amounts of glucuronolactone.
Little is known about the possible adverse effects on exercise performance and fluid balance during sport and exercise occurring from the interaction of the principal ingredients contained in stimulant drinks. Further research is necessary.
The consumption survey showed that stimulant drinks were frequently consumed with alcohol. There is little information on the possible interactions between alcohol and stimulant drinks when consumed at the relatively high levels. This warrants investigation, particularly under conditions of exercise. The survey also provided evidence that some individuals consume stimulant drinks to ‘perk’ themselves up if they had too much to drink and with alcohol to enable them ‘to drink more’. Such use of stimulant drinks may contribute to increased alcohol consumption.
Market analysis indicates that the sales of stimulant drinks on the island of Ireland have peaked. Recent analysis suggests that other more ‘trendy’ products on the market are replacing stimulant drinks with alcohol. However, there remains a strong and loyal consumer base of stimulant drinks.
The analysis of the marketing activity of stimulant drinks highlights a number of areas for concern including:
- Some of the verbal messages being given by the sampling staff may be over-emphasising the benefits of the product
- Some promotional brochures encourage people to drink stimulant drinks rather than to sleep
- In general, no recommended upper consumption limits are provided.
- Recommendations:
- Drink products with caffeine contents greater than 150 mg.l-1 to be labelled ‘high caffeine content’ and the amount of caffeine present be given. Stimulant drinks should be labelled with an indication that they are unsuitable for children under 16 years, pregnant women and individuals sensitive to caffeine.
- Consumers should be advised that caution be exercised in the consumption of stimulant drinks with alcohol and the products should carry a clear statement on the label to this effect.
- It is recommended that stimulant drinks not be consumed in association with sport and exercise as a thirst quencher and that the products should carry a clear statement regarding this on the label.
- Concerns about the marketing and promotion of stimulant drinks should be addressed by the industry regulators and relevant authorities.
- It is recommended that further research be carried out to monitor the consumption and adverse effects of stimulant drinks.
