Are Energy Drinks Considered Drugs?

Recently, energy drinks/products have enjoyed increased popularity. Although commonly viewed as beverages or food products by consumers, the primary ingredient, caffeine, is considered both a

food additive and a drug by

the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

What is the main drug in energy drinks?

Caffeine

is a major ingredient in both types of energy drink products—at levels of 70 to 240 mg in a 16-oz. drink and 113 to 200 mg in an energy shot

What are energy drinks classified as?

Energy drinks may be classified as

dietary supplements

, which are not as strictly regulated as foods. For example, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates the amount of caffeine in sodas, but not in energy drinks. Sugar. Energy drinks usually contain sugars, which add to the calories.

Is caffeine classified as a drug?

Caffeine is a drug that

stimulates

(increases the activity of) your brain and nervous system. Caffeine is found in many drinks such as coffee, tea, soft drinks and energy drinks.

Do energy drinks count as alcohol?

Its active ingredients caffeine, taurine, and ginseng are common to energy drinks; however, its additional focus on alcohol is not. Its packaging states a

6% alcoholic content by volume

. … A higher alcohol version (7.0%) called “Sparks Plus” is available in both 16oz and 24oz cans and has a black top.

Why Should energy drinks be banned?

Energy drinks have increasingly become a

source of caffeine overdoses

, according to a comprehensive study published in Pediatrics. Too much of these stimulants and chemicals can cause dependence, dehydration, insomnia, heart palpitations and/or an increased heart rate in both children and adults.

What are the dangers of energy drinks?

• Large amounts of caffeine may cause serious heart and blood vessel problems such as heart rhythm disturbances and increases in heart rate and blood pressure. …
• Caffeine use may also be associated with anxiety, sleep problems, digestive problems, and dehydration.

Is 20 mg of caffeine a lot?

Up to 400 milligrams (mg) of caffeine a day appears to be

safe

for most healthy adults. That’s roughly the amount of caffeine in four cups of brewed coffee, 10 cans of cola or two “energy shot” drinks.

How much caffeine can a 13 year old have?

For kids and teens, the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests caution. Adolescents ages 12 to 18 should cap daily caffeine intake at

100 mg

(the equivalent of about one cup of coffee, one to two cups of tea, or two to three cans of soda). For children under 12, there’s no designated safe threshold.

Is 300 mg of caffeine a lot?

For now, you should stick to

moderate

amounts of caffeine. For an adult, that means no more than 300 mg daily, which is three 6-ounce cups of coffee, four cups of regular tea, or six 12-ounce colas.

What happens if you drink energy drinks everyday?

Particularly in younger people, excessive energy drink intake has been linked to

abnormal heart rhythm

, heart attack, and — in some rare cases — death ( 1 , 12 , 13 ). Energy drinks are also high in sugar, which is associated with obesity, dental problems, and type 2 diabetes.

What is wide awake drunk?

“WIDE AWAKE DRUNK” Page 1. Energy drinks such as Red Bull, Monster, or RockStar claim to stimulate the

mind and body

while providing a boost of energy. But these drinks can have dangerous ef- fects when mixed with alcohol.

Can a 14 year old drink monster?

The bottom line is that

children and adolescents should never consume energy drinks

. And they should drink plain water during and after routine exercise, rather than sports drinks, which contain extra calories that contribute to obesity and tooth decay. Sports drinks have a limited function for pediatric athletes.

Can a 13 year old drink Red Bull?

(According to guidelines put forth by the American Beverage Association, a trade group,

energy drinks should not be marketed to children under 12

, and other leading brands such as Red Bull and Rockstar carry similar labels recommending against consumption by children.)

What is the safest energy drink?

1. Sound Sparkling Organic Yerba Maté with Citrus and Hibiscus. …
2. MatchaBar Hustle Matcha Energy (Sparkling Mint) …
3. Vital Proteins Collagen Energy Shots. …
4. Mati Unsweetened Sparkling Organic Energy Drink (Unsweetened) …
5. Toro Matcha Sparkling Ginger. …
6. Proper Wild Clean All Day Energy Shots. …
7. Ora Renewable Energy.

Can a 12 year old drink monster?

Energy drinks can be harmful to kids and adolescents, and should not be sold or marketed to children under 18, according to a new study by a consumer advocacy group. … “Companies say

these products are safe to market and sell to children as young as 12

, but the evidence says otherwise.”