By Alison Crane
Energy drinks were first introduced to the United States in 1997. Today, there are over five hundred energy drinks on the market worldwide. The global energy drinks market value in 2024 was estimated at $79.39 billion and is projected to reach over $125 billion by 2030.
Energy drinks are beverages that characteristically contain substantial amounts of caffeine, added sugars, and legal stimulants, plus a variety of herbs, vitamins, and minerals. These ingredients combine to enhance attention and alertness while boosting energy. They also raise blood pressure, heart rate, and increase respiratory rate.
Energy drinks are different from sports drinks, which are intended to hydrate athletes with water, electrolytes, and carbohydrates. Sports drinks were developed to benefit long, intense workouts, and energy drinks are not interchangeable with them due to the risks of heart issues, sugar crashes, and the jitters associated with energy drinks.
Most energy drinks contain 100-300 milligrams of caffeine per serving and exceed the recommended daily limit of consumption. The FDA has determined that up to 400 mg of caffeine per day is safe for healthy adults. For adolescents aged 12-18 years, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends 100 mg or less per day, or the equivalent of one cup of coffee daily.
There is no safe amount of caffeine consumption for children. Many physicians recommend avoiding caffeine completely for all youth due to risks of anxiety, increased blood pressure, and insomnia.
Energy drinks that claim to be “supplements” are exempt from normal food labeling laws. The labeling requirements for supplements are less restrictive and do not require full disclosure. Caffeine from natural sources like guarana, yerba mate, or tea does not have to be listed separately on the label of energy drinks or quantified on the label of food products. Which means that the total caffeine content of an energy drink could be higher than what is recorded for any added caffeine.
Before you drink an energy drink, think about these good-to-know facts.
Energy drinks are marketed directly to teens and children through social media, games, influencers, child-friendly flavors, and association with athletic performance and extreme sports.
Manufacturers often patent names for their proprietary ingredient blends of amino acids and other compounds, which allows them to not list individual ingredients or fully disclose the nutrition facts of their product.
Energy drinks can cause bodily harm, including caffeine toxicity and sudden death, and should never be mixed with alcohol.
Knowing the facts before making food and drink choices can help you to improve your health and wellbeing. Contact the Garland County Extension Service at 501-623-6841 or email acrane@uada.edu for available programs and resources.
Alison Crane is a Family and Consumer Sciences Agent with the Garland County Extension Service. Pursuant to 7 CFR § 15.3, the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services (including employment) without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, sexual preference, pregnancy or any other legally protected status, and is an equal opportunity institution.
