Energy drink

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Energy drinks from various manufacturers in a German supermarket

Energy Drink , and energy drink ( English energy drink ; Germanized and energy drink ) is the term used for drinks that should have according to the manufacturer a stimulating effect on the organism.

history

The idea for these drinks came from Japan, where taurine was administered to Japanese pilots to improve visual performance after World War II . As a result, energy drinks like Lipovitan-D came into fashion there. Red Bull's marketer , Dietrich Mateschitz , later imported the idea to Europe from Asia (more precisely: from Thailand), and at the end of the 1980s it became popular in the alternative youth and club scene (techno, mountain biking, Snowboarding) very successful.

Around five billion liters of energy drinks are sold annually on the world market, of which Red Bull currently has a market share of around 20 to 25%. In Germany, 3.2% of citizens drink an energy drink at least once a week, while 76.3% never or hardly ever consume energy drinks according to the study “ Typology of Desires ”.

Ingredients and ingredients

1.5 liter bottle of the energy drink "Magic Man"

As a rule, an energy drink has the following ingredients (depending on the brand):

The marketing message of these drinks emphasizes the invigorating effect, which is mainly achieved by the caffeine they contain. Energy drinks are often very high in energy ; the sugar contained can also increase performance in the short term. Some manufacturers have brought out sugar-free variants, which however lack an essential energy source. The sugar-free version from Red Bull has z. B. only 14  kJ per 100 ml (for comparison: 188 kJ in the sugar-containing variant). According to the manufacturers, the other ingredients should also increase performance, but this is controversial. The maximum permissible caffeine content in Germany is 32 mg per 100 ml. The caffeine content of energy drinks is therefore usually around 80 mg per can (250 ml). For comparison: a cup with 150 ml of filter coffee contains around 50–100 mg of caffeine.

In Germany, energy drinks are subject to the provisions of the Fruit Juice and Soft Drinks Ordinance . This defines "energy drinks" in Section 4 (2) FrSaftErfrischGetrV as caffeinated soft drinks that also contain one or more of the following substances (numbers in brackets are maximum permitted quantities): taurine (4000 mg / l), inositol (200 mg / l) or Glucoronolactone (2400 mg / l).

Performance effects

The effect of energy drinks is controversial. The caffeine contained is marketed as "performance-enhancing", whereby as a rule any statement is avoided about which "performance" is used as a reference value and how its "increase" could be determined. The stimulating effect of taurine, often claimed by consumers, has not been proven. A single study claims to have discovered the effects of taurine on the oxidation processes of amino acids in the metabolism.

Mental effects

According to studies, energy drinks temporarily increase the speed of reaction and memory for memory tasks.

Sports effects

The athletic performance is in part positively influenced by energy drinks. This should not only be due to the effect of the caffeine, but also to the combination of the various ingredients.

Anaerobic strength and endurance

The anaerobic capacity describes the muscle performance that can be produced without (or with significantly insufficient) oxygen supply .

In the Wingate test , in which a bicycle ergometer is pedaled for 30 seconds at maximum speed against a greater, constant resistance, there was no performance improvement or deterioration due to energy drinks in three laps with two minutes of recovery time in between. Another randomized double-blind study with students did not show any better Wingate test performance either. In contrast to this, Alford et al. Noted an improvement in performance in terms of maintaining maximum speed on the stationary bike.

In three series of bench presses with a load of 70% of maximum strength and a break of one minute in between, a statistically significant increase in performance in the form of more possible repetitions through energy drinks was shown.

Aerobic endurance

The aerobic endurance capacity describes the performance that can be produced with a full oxygen supply .

Alford et al. Found a statistically significant improvement in the endurance capacity of the exercise bike performance in the range of 65 to 75% of the maximum heart rate . Geiss et al also found an improvement in aerobic endurance in endurance athletes, which depended on the combination of substances and the presence of taurine in them.

Echocardiographic examinations on trained endurance athletes showed a measurable influence of energy drinks on cardiac muscle work that exceeded the pure caffeine effect.

There are numerous studies on the effect of the ingredient caffeine alone that have found an improvement in long-term aerobic endurance (at 3 to 9 milligrams of caffeine per kilogram of body weight - this corresponds to approx. 3 to 9 doses for 80 kilograms of body weight), but also those that are not positive Found effects. Average endurance exercise of 3 to 8 minutes, especially those with 100% of the maximum oxygen uptake, also seem to be positively influenced by caffeine.

Speed ​​and coordination

Maintaining a maximum speed on the bicycle ergometer is positively influenced by energy drinks.

Health risks

The latest risk assessment study by the EFSA ( European Food Safety Authority ) shows that a caffeine intake of up to 400 mg per day (which corresponds to approximately 5.7 mg / kg of body weight for a 70 kg person) can be classified as safe. Guideline values ​​have also been determined for pregnant women, breastfeeding women and children: for pregnant and breastfeeding women, caffeine intake from all sources of up to 200 mg per day is harmless for the fetus over the entire day. For children and adolescents, the guideline value levels off at 3 mg / kg body weight and is considered harmless at this dosage. The same study also shows that a caffeine intake of 400 mg per day for adults cannot cause any health risks.

The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment warned of health risks and demanded warnings on the packaging that unwanted effects cannot be ruled out when large quantities of such drinks are consumed in connection with extensive exercise or the consumption of alcoholic drinks and that such drinks, especially in larger amounts, not recommended for children, pregnant women, breastfeeding women and people sensitive to caffeine. Above all, warnings are given against undesirable effects such as cardiac arrhythmias , seizures or kidney failure in connection with alcohol or sport, especially for people at risk. A new study was able to demonstrate a change in the contractility of the heart muscle for at least one hour after consuming an energy drink. Therefore, experts advise against these drinks in children and patients with cardiac arrhythmias. In an Australian study it was shown that the consumption of energy drinks in young adults leads to a significant increase in the aggregation of platelets .

An evaluation of the literature came to the conclusion that the problems described in the scientific literature are primarily related to caffeine and essentially correspond to the known side effects for this substance. In this respect, the risk should roughly correspond to that of corresponding coffee consumption .

More recent studies of the components of the energy drinks have shown cytotoxic effects.

caffeine

Due to the high caffeine content, energy drinks should not be consumed in large quantities. Energy drinks are not suitable for children and people who are sensitive to caffeine.

Clauson mentions the following symptoms as the main possible problems associated with caffeine : insomnia, nervousness, headaches, tachycardia (accelerated pulse) and, rarely, deaths caused by caffeine. According to a scientific risk assessment by the EFSA ( European Food Safety Authority ), a caffeine intake of up to 400 mg per day is safe for the general healthy adult population. For pregnant women, however, 200 mg per day is classified as safe.

Taurine

There are several studies on taurine, some of which come to the opposite conclusion. A taurine regimen of 6 g per day and person caused volunteers to perform better during physical activities thanks to antioxidant effects. Other research shows that taurine, when combined with branched chain amino acids, may reduce muscle damage and fatigue.

There are several studies on the safe consumption of taurine. A study carried out by the EFSA ( European Food Safety Authority ) in 2007 indicates that a consumption of 6 g per person per day is considered safe.

Other scientists state that a dose of three grams of taurine per day for healthy adults is scientifically well proven in the short and long term and, with a large safety margin, can be classified as harmless and free of side effects. These values ​​(3 g or 6 g) can, however, be exceeded with excessive energy drink consumption. Scientists have also tested greatly increased doses of taurine in tests with healthy adults and came to the conclusion that a brief overdose does not cause any damage in the short term, but is in no way recommended over a longer period of time.

In contrast to the studies, a statement by the DGE says: “The advertising suggests that taurine as a component of 'energy drinks' promotes both physical and mental performance in humans. However, no well-controlled studies are known to date that show a positive effect of taurine supplements on physical performance or the ability to concentrate in healthy individuals and patients. An intake of taurine can therefore currently not be recommended, especially due to the potentially serious side effects. Until scientific investigations do not show the harmlessness of an additional taurine intake even during physical exertion, on the contrary, it is even not advisable. "

An evaluation of the scientific literature from 1980 to 2007 did not reveal any evidence of health or safety problems due to additional ingredients such as taurine or other substances and came to the conclusion that these are normally dosed so low that no concerns are necessary.

Tooth enamel exposure

Due to their high sugar content, energy drinks put a strain on tooth enamel and can contribute to its damage.

sugar

The relatively high sugar content of energy drinks results in the common health problems of sweetened drinks. Overall, the regular consumption of such drinks is likely to make a not insignificant contribution to increased body weight and is therefore also related to health problems caused by obesity. For comparison: A glass of apple juice (100 ml = 193 kJ) has roughly the same calorific value as a conventional energy drink (250 ml = 188.4 kJ).

Combination with alcohol

The consumption of caffeinated drinks in combination with alcohol is critical , as these two substances can cause the body to lose a lot of fluids ( dehydration ). Energy drinks result in a dangerous, subjectively increased assessment of their own performance for the alcohol consumer, without this being objectively the case.

Test by Öko-Test

In August 2007 the magazine Öko-Test tested 20 energy drinks. Only one organic energy drink from the Mad Bat brand was rated “good”, all other drinks were rated “sufficient” to “insufficient” (including the best-known Red Bull brand as “poor”). Evaluation criteria in the test were not only the ingredients and their tolerability / effect, but also warnings for z. B. increased caffeine content and the type of packaging. For example, points were deducted for aluminum cans and PET bottles.

See also

literature

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Energy drink in the dictionary. Retrieved August 9, 2016.
  2. ↑ Face value: Selling energy. Economist.com, May 9, 2002, accessed June 22, 2009 : " How Dietrich Mateschitz turned Red Bull into a cult tipple "
  3. ↑ enjoyment incidence of energy drinks , typology of desires 2006/2007.
  4. ^ A b F. van den Eynde, PC van Baelen, M. Portzky, K. Audenaert: The effects of energy drinks on cognitive performance. In: Tijdschrift voor psychiatrie. Volume 50, Number 5, 2008, pp. 273-281, ISSN  0303-7339 . PMID 18470842 . (Review).
  5. ↑ a b Udo Polmer, Gunther Frank, Susanne Warmuth: Lexicon of fitness errors . 1st edition. Eichborn Verlag, Frankfurt am Main 2003, ISBN 3-8218-3943-0 , p. 98 ff . (Keyword: energy drinks are more effective).
  6. ↑ M. Zhang, I. Izumi, S. Kagamimori, S. Sokejima, T. Yamagami, Z. Liu, B. Qi: Role of taurine supplementation to prevent exercise-induced oxidative stress in healthy young men. In: Amino acids. Volume 26, Number 2, March 2004, pp. 203-207, doi: 10.1007 / s00726-003-0002-3 . PMID 15042451 .
  7. ↑ a b c d e C. Alford, H. Cox, R. Wescott: The effects of red bull energy drink on human performance and mood. In: Amino acids. Volume 21, Number 2, 2001, pp. 139-150, ISSN  0939-4451 . PMID 11665810 .
  8. ↑ a b M. Baum, M. Weiss: The influence of a taurine containing drink on cardiac parameters before and after exercise measured by echocardiography. In: Amino acids. Volume 20, Number 1, 2001, pp. 75-82, ISSN  0939-4451 . PMID 11310932 .
  9. ↑ Eli W. Erlick: Red Bull Energy Drink: "Special Ingredients" or a Caffeine and Sugar Effect? (PDF; 13 kB) (No longer available online.) In: Project Number J1510. California State Science Fair, 2007, archived from the original on October 28, 2008 ; accessed on July 21, 2008 (English). Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.usc.edu
  10. ↑ a b K.-R. Geiß, I. Jester, W. Falke, M. Hamm, K. -L. Waag: The effect of a taurine-containing drink on performance in 10 endurance athletes. In: Amino Acids. 7, 1994, pp. 45-56, doi: 10.1007 / BF00808445 .
  11. ↑ a b S. C. Forbes, DG Candow, JP Little, C. Magnus, PD Chilibeck: Effect of Red Bull energy drink on repeated Wingate cycle performance and bench-press muscle endurance. In: International journal of sport nutrition and exercise metabolism. Volume 17, Number 5, October 2007, pp. 433-444, ISSN  1526-484X . PMID 18046053 .
  12. ↑ Erin Mueller, Leah Rado, Megan Weise, Trevor Cass: Effects of Red Bull on Wingate Testing of College ages Students . In: Journal of Ungraduate Kinesiology Research . tape 2 , no. 2 , 2007, p. 12-18 .
  13. ↑ Asker Jeukendrup, Michael Gleeson: Sport Nutrition. An Introduction to Energy Production and Performance . Human Kinetics, Champaign 2004, ISBN 0-7360-3404-8 , pp. 239 .
  14. ↑ Asker Jeukendrup, Michael Gleeson: Sport Nutrition. An Introduction to Energy Production and Performance . Human Kinetics, Champaign 2004, ISBN 0-7360-3404-8 , pp. 240 .
  15. ↑ a b c EFSA NDA Panel (EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies): Scientific Opinion on the safety of caffeine . In: EFSA Journal. 13 (5), 2015, p. 4102.
  16. ↑ a b c New human data on the evaluation of energy drinks. (PDF; 125 kB) In: bfr.bund.de. Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, March 13, 2008, pp. 1–20 , accessed on July 21, 2008 .
  17. ↑ Julia Olbrich: Energy drinks. Dangerous kick . In: Süddeutsche Zeitung . May 17-18, 2005 (web article).
  18. ↑ Caffeine and Taurine Containing Energy Drink Improves Systolic Left-ventricular contractility in Healthy Volunteers Assessed by Strain Analysis Using Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Tagging (CSPAMM). (PDF)
  19. ↑ MI Worthley, A. Prabhu, P. De Sciscio, C. Schultz, P. Sanders, SR Willoughby: Detrimental effects of energy drink consumption on platelet and endothelial function. In: Am J Med. 123 (2), Feb 2010, pp. 184-187. PMID 20103032
  20. ↑ a b c K. A. Clauson, KM Shields, CE McQueen, N. Persad: Safety issues associated with commercially available energy drinks. In: Journal of the American Pharmacists Association . Volume 48, number 3, 2008 May-Jun, pp. E55 – e63. doi: 10.1331 / JAPhA.2008.07055 . PMID 18595815 . (Review).
  21. ↑ F. Zeidán-Chuliá, DP Gelain, EA Kolling, JL Rybarczyk-Filho, P. Ambrosi, SR Terra, AS Pires, JB da Rocha, GA Behr, JC Moreira: Major components of energy drinks (caffeine, taurine, and guarana ) Exert cytotoxic effects on human neuronal SH-SY5Y cells by decreasing reactive oxygen species production. In: Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2013, 2013, p. 791795. PMID 23766861
  22. ↑ BJ Wolk, M. Ganetsky, KM Babu: Toxicity of energy drinks. In: Curr Opin Pediatr. 24 (2), Apr 2012, pp. 243-251, Review. PMID 22426157
  23. ↑ M. Zhang, I. Izumi, S. Kagamimori et al: Role of taurine supplementation to prevent exercise-induced oxidative stress in healthy young men. In: Amino Acids. 26, 2004, pp. 203-207.
  24. ↑ SG Ra, T. Miyazaki, K. Ishikura, H. Nagayama, T. Suzuki, S. Maeda, M. Ito, Y. Matsuzaki, H. Ohmori: Additional effects of taurine on the benefits of BCAA intake for the delayed- onset muscle soreness and muscle damage induced by high-intensity eccentric exercise. In: Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology . Volume 776, 2013, pp. 179-187, doi : 10.1007 / 978-1-4614-6093-0_18 . PMID 23392882 .
  25. ↑ F. Aguilar, UR Charrondiere, B. Dusemund, P. Galtier et al: The use of taurine and D-glucurono-gamma-lactone as constituents of the so-called “energy” drinks. Opinion of the Scientific Committee / Scientific Panel, February 12, 2009, Parma, Italy.
  26. ↑ A. Shao, JN Hathcock: Risk assessment for the amino acids taurine, L-glutamine and L-arginine. In: Regul Toxicol Pharmacol. 50 (3), Apr 2008, pp. 376-399. doi: 10.1016 / j.yrtph.2008.01.004 .
  27. ^ DGE working group "Sport and Nutrition": Statement of the DGE working group "Sport and Nutrition": Taurine in sports nutrition. In: dge.de research, clinic and practice 08/2001. DGE, August 1, 2001, accessed July 21, 2008 .
  28. ↑ BM Owens: The potential effects of pH and buffering capacity on dental erosion. In: General dentistry. Volume 55, Number 6, Nov-Dec 2007, pp. 527-531. PMID 18050578 .
  29. ↑ VS Malik, MB Schulze, FB Hu: Intake of sugar-sweetened beverages and weight gain: a systematic review. In: The American journal of clinical nutrition. Volume 84, Number 2, August 2006, pp. 274-288, ISSN  0002-9165 . PMID 16895873 . PMC 3210834 (free full text). (Review).
  30. ↑ Energy Drink das-ist-drin.de
  31. ↑ Energy drinks - grabbed the bull by the horns. (No longer available online.) In: ÖKO-TEST Online. November 10, 2008, archived from the original on December 22, 2015 ; accessed on December 14, 2015 . Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / emedien.oekotest.de