Video Story
Watch VideoCaution to energy drinkers for enhancement
Story By: Jamie Smith
Source: NBC
Caffeine-laced energy drinks are all the buzz, promoting everything from weight loss to endurance. But in some cases, with little or no content labeling or health warnings.
A new study published in the Journal of Drug and Alcohol Dependence says the lack of labeling puts people at risk. "We became alarmed when we saw the extent to which these were being promoted to young populations for enhancement," said Dr. Roland Griffiths of the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. "You can buy an energy drink that contains as little as 50, which is the same a Mountain Dew, or you can buy a can that contains over 500 milligrams."
He notes that over the counter products containing caffeine like No-Doze require warning labels, yet energy drinks marketed as dietary supplements do not.
There's also concern energy drinks may be a gateway to drug abuse by teaching young people it's okay to use stimulants to party or improve athletic performance.
The American Beverage Association says it's unfair to assume all energy drink manufacturers are the same. "Some manufacturers will put advisory statements on energy drinks, It will be premature to ask for broad and sweeping policy for putting warning labels on these drinks," said the American Beverage Association's Dr. Maureen Storey.
With the growing popularity of these products, researchers say more needs to be done to ensure people know exactly what they're drinking the affects it will have on them.
