Doctors Call For Review of Energy Drinks

Energy Drinks Under Review

Health professionals and public officials have begun to sound off about concerns of side effects related to popular energy drinks like Red Bull, Spike Shooter, Redline and others. The drinks which are a cocktail of caffeine, sugar, herbs and vitamins, have grown substantially in popularity and are expected to reach over $9 billion this year.

Physicians in Florida have released a report citing concerns and calling for government regulation and additional research. Some of the concerns cited include cases of heart problems, damage to the liver and kidney of patients, as well as seizures. While the government has recently cracked down on drinks like Four Loko, which was a combination of energy drink and alcohol, these other drinks are sometimes combined, by individuals, with alcohol creating adverse health effects as well.

Researchers point out that the drinks not only contain high levels of sugars, or caffeine. The drinks combination of things makes their effects harder to predict for everyone. Another concern for doctors is the wide appeal to children and young adults who make up about half of the market for the products.

Because they are classified by the FDA as nutritional supplements, the drinks have not been scrutinized as closely as they perhaps should be, according to the doctors in the report.