Energy- Drinks: Composition and Health Benefits

Abstract

In recent years, there has been an increase in the consumption of energy drinks, containing besides calories, other ingredients suspected to boost mental, emotional and physical alertness of the consumers. Such drinks are widely consumed by young people for a variety of reasons. However, from a public health point of view, little seems to be understood of the health benefits and other implications of these drinks by their consumers. Therefore, the understanding that energy drinks have stimulating properties that can boost heart beat rate and blood pressure, dehydrate the body, aggravate the effects of other stimulants, and prevent sleep may help as a decision making tools for the consumers of such products. This review examines some of the important active ingredients of energy drinks, their origins, sources, benefits and side effects. It is concluded that energy drinks, despite the variations in brand name contain bio-active ingredients; therefore further research is needed on their potential hazards.

Keywords: Energy drinks, Composition, Effects, Consumers