Energy and Protein DrinksHow Good Are They?

Dr. Renee Wenzlaff, DNP

Ashley Eide, Marquette University Nurse

Practitioner Student

Objectives

• The learner will be able to:– Describe the adverse effects with energy

drink consumption– Describe the major ingredients in energy

drinks and list adverse affects– Understand more effective ways to enhance

energy

Energy Drinks

• A soft drink that contains ingredients such as caffeine, designed to boost energy and offer metabolic or central nervous system (CNS) stimulation

» Rath, M., (2012)

Energy Drink Facts• Fastest growing beverage• 51% of college students consume• Teens and young adults spend $3.5 billion• FDA 78 mg/kg of caffeine demonstrate serious side effects • FDA regulate caffeine in soft drinks (65mg), not in Energy Drinks• Don’t require manufactures to list other caffeine ingredients

– Kola Nut, yerba mate, guarana or cocoa– Men more likely to consume

» http://getfit.jillianmichaels.com/energy-drinks-liver-damage-2115.html

http://getfit.jillianmichaels.com/energy-drinks-liver-damage-2115.html

Women hospitalized with Hepatitis after drinking TEN bottles of High-Caffeine energy drink

everyday for two weeks

Major Ingredients: Caffeine

• Toxicity and poisoning– Nervousness, anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, gastrointestinal upset, tremors

tachycardia, psychomotor agitation

• 78 mg/kg r/t adverse affects in kids• No mandatory requirement• Red Bull® and SoBe No Fear ® has 14-31 mg/3

ounces• Consume enough caffeine to develop dependence

Caffeine

• Doses range 80-300mg in 8 ounces

• Byproduct of Guarana– Increases content

• 85-250 mg results in alertness, decreased fatigue, improved concentration

• Increases gastric acid production and reflux

• Acts as a diuretic

Major Ingredient: Guarana

• Found in Venezuela and northern brazil

• 3-5 g provides 250 mg increasing the market

• Guarana seeds 3x caffeine compared to coffee beans

• Increase energy and alertness

Major Ingredient: Taurine

• Amino acid with function not fully understood, but needed for normal growth and development

• Found in infant formula• Benefits serum lipids and cardiomyopathy• May increase the effects of caffeine • No adverse affects documented

– Athlete deaths in Europe causing a ban or limited sales» Rath, M. (2012)

Major Ingredient: Ginseng

• Common type: Panax ginseng• Improve immune function, cognitive function,

concentration, memory• Therapeutic doses 100-200 mg/day• Sub therapeutic: 0-100 mg • Adverse affects:

– Insomnia headache– Painful breasts High Blood Pressure– Vaginal bleeding dizziness– Amenorrhea Mania– Increased heart rate

Major Ingredient: Sugar

• Sugar is the major energy for the brain, muscle, red blood cells

• 32 grams in 8 ounces

• 16 -24 ounces of energy drink has 60-90 grams of sugar.

• High doses give a “sugar high” the you go into “crash mode”

• Excessive sugar linked to– Diabetes, oral dental erosions, cavities, obesity premature

aging, low serotonin levels

Major Ingredient: Bitter Orange

• Claims to increase energy expenditure, breakdown fat and increase glucose uptake into the muscle

• 200mg in energy drinks, below therapeutic levels• Taken with caffeine or guarana• Synephrine and Octopamine-similar to effedra• FDA research found that bitter sweet increased

heart rate and blood pressure» Daniells, S. (2012)

Perceived Benefits

• Advertising focuses on energy drinks enhancing performance, boost mental alertness, decrease fatigue

• Energy drinks with caffeine content <300mg may be safe

• No evidence that guarana is safe for children • Small amounts of energy drinks may have affects on

alertness, performance etc.• Evidence lacks for conclusion that energy drinks are

more effective then soft drinks

Adverse Health Effects

• Require more to function• Adverse affects outweigh the minimum benefits• High caffeine content may lead to caffeine

intoxication• Increased risk when used with alcohol• Use of energy drinks to replace sleep• Adverse affects on central nervous system,

cardiovascular, gastrointestinal

Adverse Health Effects

• Obesity• Fatigue and depression return with discontinuation • Contraindications with preexisting conditions

– Heart disease– Stroke, high blood pressure– Seizure disorder– Diabetes– Thyroid disease

Energy Drinks Among College Students

• Highest among college students• Associated with a variety of negative behaviors

– Sexual risk-taking– Fighting– Not wearing a seat belt– Smoking– Drinking– Alcohol-related problems– Marijuana use– Prescription drug use

Research

• Consume for weight loss• May also engage in other unhealthy weight loss

attempt – Vomiting – Diet pills

• ACHA found energy drinks are related to weight loss attempts, poor body image, unhealthy weight loss behaviors

» Jeffers, A.J., Vatalaro, H., & Benotsh. (2014)

Research

• 2007 a survey of energy drink consumption patterns among college students

• 51% of 496 college students > 1 energy drink per month• Insufficient sleep, more energy, drink with alcohol,

studying• Jolt and crash episodes, heart palpitations, headaches• Recommended future studies to assess caffeine content

» Malinauskas et al. (2007)

Protein Drinks

• Promote weight loss, build muscles, fight aging• Contain arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury• Products are not federally regulated for testing

safety• Body can only break down 5-9 grams per hour,

rest is converted to fat or excreted

To Be Continued ……

References• Daniells, S. http://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/content/view/print/666267• Jeffers, A.J., Vatalaro, H., & Benotsch, E. G. (2014). Energy drinks,

weight loss, and disordered eating behaviors. 62(5), 336-341.• Malinauskas, B. M., Aeby, V. G., Overton, R. F., Carpenter-Aeby, T., & Barber-

Heidal, K. (2007). A survey of energy drink consumption patterns among college students. Nutrition Journal, 6(35), p. 1-7.

• Michaels. http://getfit.jillianmichaels.com/energy-drinks-liver-damage-2115.html• Rath, M. (2012). Energy drinks. What is all the hype? The dangers of energy

drink consumption. Journal of American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. 24. P. 70-76.