A recent literature review found high percentages of serious outcomes among adolescent and young adult energy drink consumers ( 2), especially among those with certain pre-existing conditions and those taking certain psychoactive medications.Īt the US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) request, the Institute of Medicine held a workshop in 2013 to review evidence on safe levels of caffeine consumption in foods, beverages and dietary supplements, and to identify important data gaps ( 3, 4). The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration reported that the number of emergency-department visits involving energy drinks doubled from 10 068 visits in 2007 to 20 783 visits in 2011, with one in ten of those visits leading to hospitalization ( 1). Consumption of caffeinated energy drinks in the USA has been investigated as a public health concern because of its widespread prevalence and the potential for adverse events.
