Paper Calls for Warning Labels on Energy Drinks

CHICAGOA new paper published in Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety examined the rapid growth of the U.S. energy drink market, which is the fastest-growing segment of the beverage industry. The authors, who advocate warning labels on energy drinks that contain elevated levels of active ingredients, especially caffeine, reviewed active ingredients in energy drinks, potential benefits, safety and regulations, as well as the manner in which energy drinks are marketed to target demographics, particularly young adults.

New developments geared toward increasing the health functionality of energy drinks will gain market acceptance due to an increasingly health-driven society, said E. Gonzalez de Mejia of the University of Illinois and lead author of the review paper. However, research on the potential benefits of these products needs to continue.

The paper noted that in the United States, energy drink companies have no limitations on the caffeine content of their beverages because, unlike cola beverages, the FDA has placed no restrictions on the amounts of caffeine in energy drinks. There are conflicting results concerning the positive effects of energy drinks on physiological and cognitive performance. Studies show consumption of particular energy drinks as beneficial in improving aerobic endurance and anaerobic performance. However, several studies have looked at the association between energy drink consumption and problematic behavior. A recent study found a positive correlation between increased energy drink consumption and increased risk-taking behavior.