Energy-drinks and alcoholic beverages

The Directorate General for Food Hygiene, Food Safety and Nutrition asked the Committee to deliver an opinion on hazards to health linked with energy- drinks consumption, in particular combined with alcohol. Energy- drinks contain substances whose effects are described as “positive” since are purported to boost mental and physical energy; in most cases, these substances are caffeine, taurine, carnitine, guarana, glucoronolactone, ginseng, ginko biloba etc. If used in moderate amounts these substances may improve cognitive performances under many aspects; however, an excessive intake may cause adverse effects as tachycardia, hypertension, nervousness, tremors, nausea and vomit. The habit of mixing energy drinks with alcohol is getting more and more frequent among teenagers and young adults in order to counteract the depressive effects of the latter, thus leading young consumers to drink more and more alcohol. However, the alcohol- related consequences of this habit are felt only once the counteracting effect of energy drinks fades, especially in case of an alcohol-intoxicated driver. In order to offset the consequences of this type of consumption and provide young people with more complete information on hazards linked with the combination of energy drinks/alcohol, the Committee recommends that the information contained in the report attached top this opinion be widely circulated in the most appropriate way