Doriguzzi 1

Jocelyn Doriguzzi
Mrs. Cramer
Comp Pd. 8
13 Dec 2019
Energy Drinks and Human Health

There are different refreshment options available from water, soda, coffee, and many

more. A popular one today is energy drinks. Merriam-Webster defines energy drinks as “a

usually carbonated beverage that typically contains caffeine and other ingredients (such as

taurine and ginseng) intended to increase the drinker's energy”. Energy drinks come in a variety

of sizes, flavors, and are available almost anywhere. Energy drinks may help users feel

energized, but energy drinks have a darker side. Experiments done on energy drinks, side effects,

and precautions/suggestions suggest that energy drinks are not good for the human body.

There have been a variety of experiments done on human health and energy drinks.

Aslam was one of the researchers involved in an experiment in Pakistan revolving energy drinks.

The questionnaire was taken by college students from four medical colleges. The questionnaire

consists of sixteen questions and two sections (Aslam). Question ten was used to identify energy

drink users. If the participants answered yes, they then got to skip question eleven and move on

the rest. Questions twelve through sixteen were for energy drink users only and asked questions

about reasoning for drinking and the withdrawals they experience (Aslam). By the end of the

experiment, it was calculated that the questionnaire was done by 866 students. These students

ranged from different years with 100 (11.6%) 1st year, 259 (29.9%) 2nd year, 272 (31.4%) 3rd

year, 218 (25.3%) 4th year, and 16 (1.8%) final year college students (Aslam). Aslam’s report

also showed that out of the 866 students, there were 614 (70.9%) females and 252 (28.5%) males

who were participants. The report also showed that just 30.1% of people knew the exact
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definition of energy drinks while 69.9% didn’t. The experiment done by Aslam and his fellow

researchers showed results to why students drink energy drinks, how much knowledge they have

of these drinks, and what they know about the side effects.

Journal of Caffeine Research Vol. 2 No.6 includes published case reports that link

psychiatric symptoms to energy drink consumption (Aslam). The case report in the journal

includes case/detail, psychiatric history, energy drink use, and current psychiatric symptoms. The

participants were both male and female and ranged from ages 25 to 43(Journal). Some of the

participants have had previous mental health issues, others have not. By the end of the

experiment, each of the participants had some sort of unhealthy mental health symptom. These

symptoms ranged from everyday irritability to life threatening symptoms such as suicide. As the

Journal noted, these results don’t create a definite connection between mental health and energy

drink usage but a highly likely link.

The experiments mentioned and many others have been done to test energy drinks and

human use. These experiments such as Aslam’s, have been used to assess knowledge on energy

drinks while experiments like the Journal did were used to show a connection between mental

health and energy drinks. These experiments have helped gain awareness on energy drinks and

help to show how there could very likely be a connection between mental health and energy

drink usage.

One thing to consider when thinking about energy drinks is side effects they have.

Energy drink users tend not to think about the negatives of energy drinks, but only the positives.

The questionnaire done by Aslam and his researchers collected data on college students’

thoughts on energy drinks negative side effects. Fatigue, fast heart rate, and inability to focus

were the main withdrawal symptoms (Aslam). Weight gain, trouble sleeping, and dental issues
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were also reported. Many of the students in Aslam’s report consider energy drinks to cause

problems for physical health and neuropsychic health. It was interesting to see how similar the

numbers were between non-users and users of energy drinks. User and non-users both agreed on

side effects with energy drinkers even giving a higher percentage when asked about the negative

side effects. An article done by Michael Stasio revealed more side effects relating to energy

drinks. The article reported that there is a connection between frequent marijuana use, sexual

behavior, and fighting. Trouble sleeping and high anxiety were also reported. Energy drinks have

a large amount of negative side effects, but a few positive. The students in Aslam’s study say

they use energy drinks to promote wakefulness and help them have the energy to complete major

projects. The students however had more negative side effects than positive. The questionnaire

by Aslam and the report done by Stasio showed the negative side effects that energy drinkers

experience.

In order to raise more awareness and try to lower the energy use health risks, there are

precautions and suggestions that people hope energy drink companies will use in the future.

Energy drink companies in Australia have a label on the energy drinks that say, “this food is not

recommended for children, pregnant or lactating women and individuals sensitive to caffeine"

(Braganza). Braganza also reports that a balanced diet, more exercise, and the right amount of

sleep will help those who are seeking more energy. Aslam has many suggestions for energy

drink users and the future. He writes that energy drinks should be for occasional, limited use.

Energy drinks should not be used every day and should be used very rarely. Energy drinks

should also never be used as a sleep substitute. Due to the risky side effects, those who drink

these drinks should be informed on what goes in these drinks and the risks that come with it.
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Although many people drink energy drink each day, energy drinks are suggested to not

be the heathiest option for consumption. Experiments, side effects, and precautions/suggestion

done on energy drink show a negative connection. Energy drink users should reconsider their

choice in beverage and might want to go towards an option with less negative correlation. If

energy drinkers still want to indulge in these drinks, they should educate themselves on the

drink, understand their personal withdrawal and side effects, and limit the intake. Those

considering energy drinks should also educate themselves and know what the side effects of

these drinks are. When considering and thinking about energy drinks, experiments, sided effects,

and suggestions/precautions show energy drinks to be negative and not the best option for human

use.
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Works Cited

Aslam, Hafiz Muhammad, et al. "Assessment of Pattern for Consumption and

Awareness Regarding Energy Drinks Among Medical Students." Archives of

Public Health, vol. 71, no. 1, 2013. Gale Academic Onefile,

https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A534822349/AONE?u=pl1949&sid=AONE&xid=bc0cb920.

Accessed 19 Nov. 2019.

Braganza, Sandra F., and Marian Larkin. "Riding High on Energy Drinks."

Contemporary Pediatrics, May 2007, p. 61+. Gale In Context: High School,

https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A456901478/SUIC?u=pl1949&sid=SUIC&xid=455e2d0e.

Accessed 19 Nov. 2019.

Journal of Caffeine Research. Vol. 6, no. 2, 31 Mar. 2016,

www.liebertpub.com/doi/full/10.1089/jcr.2015.0033. Accessed 20 Nov. 2019.

Stasio, Michael J., et al. "Revving up and Staying up: Energy Drink use

Associated with Anxiety and Sleep Quality in a College Sample." College

Student Journal, vol. 45, no. 4, 2011, p. 738+. Gale In Context: High

School, https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A278276697/

SUIC?u=pl1949&sid=SUIC&xid=47d610dd. Accessed 19 Nov. 2019.