A marketing claim for one AMP Energy drink promises to help you focus and keep you on top of your game with B vitamins, taurine, Panax ginseng and guarana seed extract. A 16-oz. high-calorie variety also contains caffeine, high fructose corn syrup and may also contain yerba mate extract, beta-alanine, L-theanine, L-carnitine, D-ribose or green tea. Herbs and amino acids in AMP may adversely interact with other supplements and medicines. Please consult a doctor before use.
Taurine
Dietary sources of taurine include fish and meat. A nonessential amino acid-like compound, taurine aids stabilization of cell membranes in electrically active tissues such as the brain and heart. Research to assure effectiveness of taurine for reducing fatigue and improving mental performance remains insufficient. Intake of more than 3 g of taurine per day for more than one year may not be safe. Drugs and herbs may cause health problems such as increased bleeding, dangerously low blood sugar or low blood pressure when combined with taurine. If you have a medical condition or take any medications or supplements, please consult a doctor before using taurine.
Panax Ginseng
Ginsenosides, the active chemicals thought responsible for this herb's medicinal properties, come from the root. Panax ginseng might improve reaction times in healthy, middle-aged people but be ineffective for improving athletic performance or sense of well-being. Panax ginseng may be safe for adults if used for less than three months, but is unsafe for children. Side effects may include elevated heart rate and blood pressure, vaginal bleeding or low blood pressure. Panax ginseng slows the liver's process of breaking down medications, causing adverse health effects. If combined with caffeine, it can cause increased heart rate and high blood pressure. According to RxList, you should not combine caffeine with Panax ginseng. Pregnant women should avoid this herb, as it may cause birth defects. Consult a doctor before use.
Guarana Seed Extract
The plant Paullinia cupana produces the seeds used to produce guarana seed extract. According to RxList, more research is needed to assess the effectiveness of guarana for improvement of exercise endurance, short-term, high-intensity performance and power or increased mental alertness. Guarana contains caffeine, which stimulates the central nervous system and heart. According to RxList, caffeine from guarana should not be mixed with Panax ginseng because of risk of hypertension and increased heart rate. Many drugs and herbs dangerously interact with guarana and may result in hypertension, heart problems or excessive bleeding. Consult a doctor before taking guarana.
Caffeine
AMP product nutrition information states that a 16-oz. AMP drink contains 143 to 160 mg of caffeine. However, according to March of Dimes.com, herbal products such as guarana, yerba mate and green tea contain caffeine. The Food and Drug Administration does not require that herbal product labels state the amount of caffeine they contain, and caffeine amounts in supplements can vary greatly depending on the herb. Pregnant women should not use herbal products for these reasons and for lack of overall safety assurance.
Sugars
According to the AMP product label, high fructose corn syrup provides the majority of the carbohydrates. A 16-oz. can contains 58 g of sugar, or approximately 14.5 tsp. of sugar and 232 calories. This equates to approximately 20 percent of the daily value for carbohydrates based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
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