Energy drinks

Energy drinks are beverages which claim to provide consumers with extra energy. These drinks contain caffeine along with other ingredients, typically vitamins and herbal stimulants.  UC ANR’s Nutrition and Health Info Sheet: Energy Drinks provides science-based information to help consumers evaluate the function, safety, and claims of these products.

Topics include:

• What are energy drinks
• Is there evidence that energy drinks increase energy?
• Can consumption of energy drinks have adverse effects?
• What is the caffeine and sugar content?
• There are many unusual ingredients in energy drinks. What do they claim to do?
• Is there scientific evidence to support these claims?
• Is consumption of these ingredients safe?
• Should energy drinks be consumed before or during exercise?
• Should children and or adolescents consume energy drinks?
• Is it safe to mix energy drinks with alcohol?
• References
• Links for further information

Due to the high caffeine content, consumption of energy drinks by pregnant or nursing women, adolescents, and children is not recommended.