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According to Food Standards Australia and New Zealand, energy drinks are non-alcoholic beverages characterised
by the addition of ’energy enhancing’ ingredients. These may include a number of water-soluble B vitamins, amino acids and caffeine.

The claims of energy drinks include: enhanced periods of wakefulness, an energy boost, extra stamina, a pick-meup,
a quick fix for the exhausted or sleepy.

The key stimulating ingredient is likely to be caffeine, added as pure caffeine or as guarana, a herbal caffeine source.
Guarana is added either in combination with caffeine or on its own. It is made from the crushed seeds of a native
Brazilian plant. This caffeine level in energy drinks is comparable to the caffeine level in a strong cup of coffee.
However, caffeine stimulates the central nervous system giving the body a ‘sense of alertness’. Known caffeine side effects include heart palpitations, headaches, diarrhoea, dehydration, nervousness, anxiety and sleep disturbances.

Current research from America suggests that energy drinks may also increase blood pressure.
In a recent article, Professor Lubman of The Turning Point Drug and Alcohol Centre suggested that there were a
staggering amount of caffeine based energy drinks in Australia, despite many of these being banned in a number of
European countries and that their use had increased greatly over the last 10 years.

Professor Lubman has also raised concerns for young people, given that the effect of these drinks on brain and
body is largely unknown.
In addition to the caffeine content of energy drinks, many also have a staggering amount of added sugar making them a problem for those with diabetes as well as those trying to reach a healthy weight.
Of further concern is that many energy drinks are also often used as mixers with alcohol. Whereas energy drinks are stimulants, alcohol is a depressant.

The mix can be particularly dangerous as energy drinks can mask the influence of alcohol and people who drink mixers are more likely to suffer alcohol-related injury.

Both the caffeine in energy drinks and alcohol are also known to act as diuretics and hence could also lead to dehydration.
If you have any existing medical problems or concerns, these are best raised with your doctor or dietitian first, before choosing to use energy drinks.

Caffeine – how much is too much?

•Less than 10 years of age – no caffeine
•16 to 21 years of age – can try, no more than 2.5mg of caffeine per kilo per day, or, 125gm per day for a 50kg person,
175gm per day for a 70kg person
•Avoid caffeine in pregnancy
•Your intake depends on your weight and tolerance
•Caffeine can cause dehydration with exercise
•If you already have health problems, check with your doctor before you consume energy drinks containing caffeine

Make sure you know the ingredients that are present in every bottle or can you consume

Common foods and drinks and their caffeine content:

Food                                                                                   Caffeine content

Formulated caffeinated beverages or ‘Energy’ Drinks      80 mg – 160mg / 250mL can
Percolated coffee                                                                60 – 120mg / 250mL cup
Instant coffee (1 teaspoon/cup)                                          60 – 80mg / 250mL cup
Tea                                                                                      10 – 50mg / 250mL cup
Coca Cola                                                                           48.75mg / 375ml can (Caff Free 2 mg)
Milk Chocolate                                                                   20mg / 100g bar

Article compiled by
Cabrini Nutrition & Dietetics Department.
Cabrini offers dietitian outpatients appointments; you can make an appointment by calling Cabrini
Allied Health on 03 95081930