Caffeine poisoning rises due to energy drinks
16 January 2012
An alarming rise in cases of caffeine toxicity has been shown by a study from NSW Poisons Information Centre, prompting Australian researchers to call for better labelling of caffeinated energy drinks.
Caffeine poisoning presents a risk of serious heart or neurological complications, and was responsible for one death in 2009.
The study of NSW Poisons Information Centre data examined phone calls regarding energy drink exposures over the 7 years to 2010.
Some 297 exposures to energy drinks were reported, increasing annually from 12 calls in 2004 to 65 calls in 2010. The median number (middle value) of energy drinks consumed in one “recreational” session was 5 units, and the median age of exposure was 17 years, with 57 per cent of consumers male. A third of users co-ingested other substances including alcohol and other caffeinated products or amphetamines.
Commonly reported symptoms included palpitations, agitation, tremor and gastrointestinal upset. More serious cardiac or neurological toxicity was reported in 21 people, including hallucinations, seizures, arrhythmias (irregular heart rhythms) and cardiac ischaemia (inadequate blood flow and oxygen to the heart).
Over 128 people required hospitalisation related to the side effects of energy drinks. Of concern were the 62 children with an average age of 38 months (9 requiring hospitalisation) reported to have accidentally ingested energy drinks, with the most common symptom being hyperactivity.
While a typical can of energy drink may contain up to 300 mg of caffeine (just 50 mg can induce tachycardia and agitation), the caffeine dosage from all sources may be higher than the label indicates, and different brands of energy drinks contain varying levels of caffeine. Researchers caution that consumers are unlikely to be aware of variations in chemical composition and caffeine dosage in different drinks, leading to confusion over suggested maximum daily doses.
The researchers concluded that “reports of caffeine toxicity from energy drink consumption are increasing, particularly among adolescents, warranting review and regulation of the labelling and sale of these drinks”.
The negative health effects of energy drink consumption have been raised over many years, with critics blaming them for eroding dental health in teenagers, increasing blood pressure, and causing a recurrence of psychosis in schizophrenia patients, and calls have been made for a ban on selling energy drinks to children.
Estimates are that the energy drink industry spent nearly $15 million on marketing in Australia in 2009. The regulation of caffeinated energy drinks is currently under review by the Australia and New Zealand Food Regulation Ministerial Council.
MJA 2012; 196(1):46-49
Last Reviewed: 16 January 2012
- Gunja N, Brown JA. Energy drinks: health risks and toxicity. MJA 2012; 196: 46-49. doi 10.5694/mja11.10838.
