The FDA is Investigating Reports of Injuries and Deaths Which Occurred after Use of Popular Energy Drinks
There are about 27 top brands of energy drinks on the market today including 5-Hour Energy, Monster Energy, Red Bull, NOS, Stacker, and Full Throttle to mention just a handful. As these caffeine spiked energy drinks have become more popular it also appears that there may be a link between consumption of these drinks and serious health injuries and deaths.
How Much Caffeine Is There in an Energy Drink?
How much caffeine is in energy drinks varies from one brand to another. According to Consumer Reports who tested the top 27 brands, the amount of caffeine not only varies between brands, but some of the energy drinks they tested showed significantly higher amounts of caffeine than was listed on the label while others contained less than shown on the label. There were 11 brands which did not even list the amount of caffeine they contain.
Energy drink samples tested by Consumer Reports found caffeine levels to vary from 6 milligrams per serving to 242 milligrams per serving. Some of the drinks contain more than one serving and some like 5-hour Energy are concentrated 1.9 ounce shot size drinks with 215 milligrams of caffeine. In comparison, an 8 ounce cup of coffee contains about 100 milligrams of caffeine.
Most people using these energy drinks are not aware of the amount of caffeine they may be consuming, how drinking too many of the drinks or drinking them in combination with alcohol or other drugs can make for a dangerous combination.
The FDA Has Received Reports of 20 Deaths Appearing To Be Linked To Energy Drinks
In 2009 there were more than 13,000 emergency room visits for serious energy drink health problems which developed after drinking energy drinks. In the fall of 2012 the FDA received reports of 20 deaths which appear to be linked to energy drink consumption. The FDA believes that at the very least the consumption of energy drinks was a contributing factor in these deaths.
