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Energy Drinks and Their Adverse Health Effects: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Sports health
January 1, 2021
Ibrahim M Nadeem et al. (6 authors)
Journal ArticleMeta-AnalysisSystematic ReviewHuman Study
Study Details

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).

Extracted Claims (10)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
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
Abstract

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.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
Alcohol DrinkingCaffeineDepressionEnergy DrinksGastrointestinal DiseasesHumansSleep Initiation and Maintenance DisordersStress, Psychological
Study Links
Quality Scores
Safety30
Efficacy65/10
Quality75/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations44
Citations/Year11.0
Relative Citation Ratio6.41
NIH Percentile95.4%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.95
Weight Score2.64
Normalized Score0.53
Related Supplements
Energy Drinks and Their Adverse Health Effects: A Systematic... | Panacea Index