Energy drink

Energy drink
A variety of energy drinks in a German supermarket shelf
TypeFunctional beverage
Country of origin Japan
Introduced20th century
ColorVarious
FlavorVarious
IngredientsUsually caffeine, various others

An energy drink is a type of functional beverage containing stimulant compounds, usually caffeine, which is marketed as providing mental and physical stimulation (marketed as "energy", but distinct from food energy). They may or may not be carbonated and may also contain sugar, other sweeteners, or herbal extracts, among numerous other possible ingredients.

They are a subset of the larger group of energy products, which includes bars and gels, and distinct from sports drinks, which are advertised to enhance sports performance. There are many brands and varieties in this drink category.[1][2]

Energy drinks have the effects of caffeine and sugar, but there is little or no evidence that the wide variety of other ingredients have any effect.[3] Most effects of energy drinks on cognitive performance, such as increased attention and reaction speed, are primarily due to the presence of caffeine.[4] Other studies ascribe those performance improvements to the effects of the combined ingredients.[5]

Advertising for energy drinks usually features increased muscle strength and endurance, but there is no scientific consensus to support these claims.[6] Energy drinks have been associated with many health risks, such as an increased rate of injury when usage is combined with alcohol, and excessive or repeated consumption can lead to cardiac and psychiatric conditions.[7][8] Populations at risk for complications from energy drink consumption include youth, caffeine-naïve or caffeine-sensitive, pregnant, competitive athletes and people with underlying cardiovascular disease.[9]

  1. ^ Miyeong, Han (19 February 2012). "Energy drink, does it really work?". Health Chosun News. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
  2. ^ Haesoo, Lee (11 November 2014). "The four main ingredients of energy drinks". Global Economic. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
  3. ^ McLellan TM, Lieberman HR (2012). "Do energy drinks contain active components other than caffeine?". Nutr Rev. 70 (12): 730–44. doi:10.1111/j.1753-4887.2012.00525.x. PMID 23206286.
  4. ^ Van Den Eynde F, Van Baelen PC, Portzky M, Audenaert K (2008). "The effects of energy drinks on cognitive performance". Tijdschrift voor Psychiatrie. 50 (5): 273–81. PMID 18470842.
  5. ^ Alford, C.; Cox, H.; Wescott, R. (1 January 2001). "The effects of red bull energy drink on human performance and mood". Amino Acids. 21 (2): 139–150. doi:10.1007/s007260170021. PMID 11665810. S2CID 25358429. Archived from the original on 9 April 2022. Retrieved 16 August 2019.
  6. ^ Mora-Rodriguez R, Pallarés JG (2014). "Performance outcomes and unwanted side effects associated with energy drinks". Nutr Rev. 72 (Suppl 1): 108–20. doi:10.1111/nure.12132. PMID 25293550.
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference pmid25818530 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference pmid25622514 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ Higgins, John; Yarlagadda, Santi; Yang, Benjamin; Higgins, John P.; Yarlagadda, Santi; Yang, Benjamin (June 2015). "Cardiovascular Complications of Energy Drinks". Beverages. 1 (2): 104–126. doi:10.3390/beverages1020104.