Are Energy Drinks Risky?

Red Bull and Rockstar brand energy drinks are put to the test.

The first energy drink (ED), Dr. Enuf, was launched in 1949, more than 70 years ago. Today, there are more than a hundred different brands in an industry now selling $50 billion a year in beverages.

“Consumption of ED masks the signs of alcohol inebriation, enabling an individual to believe they can still safely consumer more alcohol, leading to ‘awake drunkenness.’” And, since because energy drinks are often co-consumed with other substances, it’s hard to tease out the culprit. It’s the same problem with population studies. Sure, “adolescents drinking energy drinks are at risk of a wide range of negative outcomes,” but energy drink consumers are also more likely to drink soda and have other unhealthy habits, and be more likely to binge drink, take diet pills, and engage in other risky behaviors…”

Keep reading this article on NutritionFacts.org.