by Allison Schwartz ’15
Journalism Student

As of 2011, energy drink sales in the United States have exceeded $8 billion, up more than 15 percent from a year ago. In that amount of time, Red Bull sold more that a billion cans nationwide, while Monster sold more than 1.2 billion cans. That’s more than seven cans per American. However, despite the increase in sales if energy drinks, there are serious health concerns.

Energy drinks contain large amounts of caffeine, ranging from 2.5 to 35.7 milligrams of caffeine per ounce. According to researchers, energy shots may have as much as 170 milligrams of caffeine per ounce. Compare that to the amount of caffeine in soft drinks, which has been limited to 71 milligrams per 12-ounce can by the FDA.

Energy drinks and shots are usually sold as dietary supplements, which are not subject to a caffeine limit. The FDA does not regulate energy drinks because they contain herbal extracts that are considered dietary supplements and are additives in a conventional food (energy drinks). Additives that are dietary supplements in a conventional food do not need to be regulated by the FDA.

More than 200 milligrams of caffeine can be dangerous for children and adolescents, but a 24-ounce can of Monster contains 240 milligrams of caffeine.  More than that amount of caffeine potentially can lead to “caffeine intoxication,” which may cause insomnia, anxiety, irritability, upset stomach and increased heart rate or muscle tremors. According to the FDA, energy drinks have been connected to 13 deaths over the past four years. “Too much caffeine can cause people to sweat and experience heart palpitations,” said W. Douglas Weaver, former president of the American College of Cardiology. “People are showing up in the emergency room and doctor’s office after having these drinks and not feeling well,” Weaver stated at a conference in August 2012 in Munich, Germany.

The risks don’t end there. Chugging energy drinks while exercising can reveal hidden heart problems in otherwise healthy people. On top of that, there is the deadly combination of energy drinks and alcohol. In November 2010, the FDA considered it hazardous to sell pre-mixed caffeinated alcoholic drinks. The danger is that even though drinking alcohol has a depressive effect, energy drinks and caffeine can keep people awake and alert, always ready to drink more. Many bars stock energy drinks as mixers.

In response to a lawsuit brought on by parents whose daughter died by the caffeine affecting her preexisting conditions, Monster Beverage said, “Monster reiterates that its products are and have always been safe.” Yet, the FDA announced this past fall that it was investigating more than 100 filed reports of unfavorable events.