Energy Drinks and Their Adverse Health Effects: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the reported adverse effects of energy drink consumption, focusing on clinical studies.
Results Summary
The study found frequent adverse events such as insomnia, stress, and depressive mood in pediatric populations, and insomnia, jitteriness, and gastrointestinal upset in adults. Alcohol mixed with energy drinks reduced sedation effects but increased stimulatory effects.
Population
Pediatric and adult populations.
Effective Dosage
Frequent consumption (5-7 energy drinks/week).
Duration
Not specified.
Interactions
Alcohol (increased stimulatory effects).
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
energy drink consumption | increase | insomnia | pediatric population | 35.4% | Frequently reported adverse events were | #1 |
energy drink consumption | increase | stress | pediatric population | 35.4% | Frequently reported adverse events were | #2 |
energy drink consumption | increase | depressive mood | pediatric population | 23.1% | Frequently reported adverse events were | #3 |
energy drink consumption | increase | insomnia | adult population | 24.7% | Frequently reported adverse events were | #4 |
energy drink consumption | increase | jitteriness/restlessness/shaking hands | adult population | 29.8% | Frequently reported adverse events were | #5 |
energy drink consumption | increase | gastrointestinal upset | adult population | 21.6% | Frequently reported adverse events were | #6 |
Alcohol mixed with energy drinks | decrease | likelihood of sedation effects | - | - | significantly reduced | #7 |
Alcohol mixed with energy drinks | increase | likelihood of stimulatory effects | - | - | increased | #8 |
Energy drink consumption | increase | insomnia | - | OR, 5.02; 95% CI, 1.72-14.63 | significantly increased the odds of | #9 |
Energy drink consumption | increase | jitteriness/activeness | - | OR, 3.52; 95% CI, 1.28-9.67 | significantly increased the odds of | #10 |
CONTEXT: Energy drinks are the fastest growing product in the beverage industry. However, there is concern regarding potential for adverse effects with use. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the reported adverse effects of energy drink consumption. DATA SOURCES: The electronic databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PubMed were searched for relevant studies from inception to November 2019, and pertinent data were abstracted. STUDY SELECTION: Only clinical studies reporting adverse events after energy drink consumption were included. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 4. DATA EXTRACTION: Data regarding sample size characteristics, energy drink characteristics, comparators, and all adverse events were extracted in duplicate and recorded. RESULTS: A total of 32 studies and 96,549 individuals were included. Frequently reported adverse events in the pediatric population were insomnia (35.4%), stress (35.4%), and depressive mood (23.1%). Frequently reported adverse events in the adult population were insomnia (24.7%), jitteriness/restlessness/shaking hands (29.8%), and gastrointestinal upset (21.6%). Alcohol mixed with energy drinks significantly reduced the likelihood of sedation effects but increased the likelihood of stimulatory effects. Energy drink consumption significantly increased the odds of insomnia (OR, 5.02; 95% CI, 1.72-14.63) and jitteriness/activeness (OR, 3.52; 95% CI, 1.28-9.67) compared with the control group. CONCLUSION: The authors recommend that individuals avoid frequent energy drink consumption (5-7 energy drinks/week) and avoid co-consumption with alcohol; increased regulatory standards should be placed in the sale of energy drinks, particularly with regard to the pediatric population.