Are they Worth the

ENERGY?

Energy drinks

OBJECTIVES

• Recognize common drinks containing caffeine• Know the amount of caffeine vs coffee/soda• Understand physiologic effects of caffeine• Be able to explain potential dangers of

caffeine• Recognize caffeine product marketing

Julie’s Story

• 1st visit: Needs to cut weight– Extreme dieting ‘just not

hungry’– Food journal, restrictions

• 2nd visit ‘vitamin supplement’– ‘just vitamins &

minerals’

Julie’s Story

• A bucket of powder• 2 scoops into water bottle before competition– Does this w/3 bottles in a row

• Supplement contains vitamins, minerals and caffeine

• Supplement was recommended by coach

Caffein

Do you recognize these?

Caffeine Drinks

• Contain carbohydrates• Contain salts• Contain stimulants

– Potentially dehydrating

Sports Drinks

• Contain carbohydrates• Contain salts• Does not contain stimulants

– Potentially hydrating

What is caffeine

• Blocks adenosine receptors (usually adenosine slows cellular activity)– Release of epinephrine– Increased levels dopamine

• Fat soluble– easily crosses into the organs from the blood

Where does caffeine come from

Guarana2-3x

Kola nut

Yerbamate0.1-3x

Coffee beans1x

Cocoa beanTea leaves

CaffeineWhy do we like it?

• ‘Naturally’ occurring• Most commonly used stimulant worldwide• Enhance Cognitive Performance*• Enhance Physical Performance* • Marketing promotes feeling of wellness• Marketing promotes sense of strength &

rebellion • Enjoy the taste of the drink it comes in

Physiologic Effects of Caffeine

How much caffeine does it have?

Amp, Red Bull

6x the caffeine of soda

How much is too much?

• Response to caffeine & rate of metabolism is individual

• Generally fatal doses considered to be• 150-200mg/kg body weight

Increase blood pressureIncrease heart rate

Disrupts sleepInduce reliance ‘addiction’

Aggravate psychiatric conditions ‘hallucinations’ & maniaMay cause dehydration

Bad for your teeth (sugar) Excess calories

Caffeine Intoxication• Fast heartbeat tachycardia/SVT• Nausea & Vomiting• Seizure• Diuresis Electrolyte abnormality• Increased intracranial pressure• Cerebral edema• Stroke• Death

CAFFEINE marketing

• Who- – Who does it? Coca cola, Sport drink companies– To who? adults, young adults, teens, children

• What-• Products: beverages, tablets, melts• How

This is what they claim or say:

• Firepower• Productivity• Unleash the beast• It takes BAWLS to be unstoppable

• gives wings to people who want to be mentally and physically active and have a zest for life

Red Bull Website• Red Bull Energy Drink is a functional beverage. Thanks

to a unique combination of high quality ingredients Red Bull Energy Drink vitalizes body and mind.

• Numerous scientific studies on the product and the individual ingredients prove that Red Bull Energy Drink:

• Increases performance• Red Bull Energy Drink has been developed for people

who want to have a clear and focused mind, perform physically, are dynamic and performance-oriented whilst also balancing this with a fun and active lifestyle.

• In short, Red Bull gives wings to people who want to be mentally and physically active and have a zest for life.

What they claim, what they do• Enhance Cognitive Performance-studies have shown that, when

compared against placebo (sugar-free lemonade), consuming energy drinks had no significant positive effect on concentration, reasoning, or aptitude. [6]

• Enhance Athletic Performance-Consumption of energy drinks by both recreational and competitive athletes has increased dramatically in recent years.– Department of Exercise Science at Creighton University sugar-free Red

Bull offered no improvement or enhancement of one repetition bench press performance. [7]

– Utah State University determined that a low-calorie caffeine-taurine energy drink did NOT enhance the sprint performance and anaerobic power of the 20 NCAA Division I football players who participated in the research. [8]

Not FDA regulated

• Caffeine content of soda is regulated because it is a ‘food’

• Caffeine content of energy drinks is not regulated because it is a ‘dietary supplement’

• Other ingredients in energy drinks also not regulated (guarana, taurine)

No age requirement for purchase

• Availability

• Money spent– Limited resources

Cocktails with Caffeine?

• Apple Phucker (Cocktail) Apple Pucker, Cranberry Juice, Lime, Red Bull Energy Drink, White Rum

• Breakfast Shot (Shooter) Absolut Mandarin Vodka, Jagermeister, Red Bull Energy Drink

Cocktails with Caffeine

• upper (caffeine) with a downer (alcohol)= a lot more alcohol consumption with less fatigue or drowsiness

Caffeine+Alcohol

More alcohol with less drowsiness &

fatigue

More alcoholMore caffeine

Are they Worth the

ENERGY?