E NERGY D RINKS Source: John Hopkins

E NERGY D RINKS - new alternative to coffee or soda Main Ingredients: - Sugar - Caffeine and/or guarana (stimulants) (Brazilian plant that contain caffeine) - Herbal supplements (gingko biloba, Echinacea, ginseng, St. Johns wart, taurine, etc.)

Energy drink advertising campaigns primarily target teens and young adults. In a 2007 survey of 496 college students, 51% reported consuming at least one energy drink during the last month.

C AFFEINE L IMITATIONS A regular 12 oz. soda contains about 35 mg of caffeine and a 6oz. cup of coffee contains mg of caffeine. The FDA limits the amount of caffeine in soft drinks to 0.02%, or 71mg/ 12 fluid oz. In comparison the amount of caffeine in energy drinks ranges from 50mg per can or bottle to an astounding 505 mg per can or bottle, which is equivalent to 14 cans of soda. Energy drink manufacturers avoid the FDA caffeine limits by claiming that their products fall under the 1994 Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act, which classifies products deriving from herbs and natural sources as dietary supplements rather than drugs.

Rockstar Energy Drink Nutritional Label

C AFFEINE L EVELS IN P OPULAR E NERGY D RINKS  Red Bull: 80 mg  Monster: 160mg  Rockstar: 160 mg  Amp: 75 mg  Full Throttle: 144 mg  Vitamin Water: 50 mg

C AFFEINE H EALTH R ISKS o Caffeine amounts are often unlabeled on energy drinks and few include warnings about the potential health risks which can include: - Nervousness, anxiety, restlessness. - Irritability - Insomnia. - Upset stomach, diuretic. - Withdrawal. - Builds tolerance.