Monster Energy drinks come in 16-oz. cans and contain a variety of energy-boosting ingredients. According to the Monster website, one serving of this drink, which is 8-oz., contains 100 percent of the daily values of vitamin B6 and vitamin B12. However, the main sources of energy provided by Monster Energy Drink are caffeine and sugar. A 16-oz. can contains 160 mg of caffeine and 54 g of sugar.
Energy Blend
Monster Energy drinks contain 5,000 mg of energy blend per 16-oz, can. Monster's energy blend consists of a mixture of several ingredients. The four main ingredients are L-carnitine, glucose, caffeine and guarana. L-carnitine, an amino acid, and glucose, a simple sugar, both help the body produce energy. A major side effect of l-carnitine is its propensity to cause seizures in people with a history of seizures. Guarana is a plant that contains caffeine; its may cause toxicity when combined with other forms of caffeine, according to an article published by Michigan State University in June 2010.
Common Adverse Effects
In 2008, the "Journal of the American Pharmacists Association" published an article regarding the safety of energy drinks. This article stated that energy drinks can cause headaches, nervousness, insomnia and increased heart rate. However, these conditions were attributed solely to the high caffeine content. Additionally, in this study, there were no adverse health effects associated with taurine, ginseng or guarana, which are all natural ingredients. This may be a result of insignificant amounts of these ingredients in energy drinks.
Severe Adverse Effects
According to a study published in the March 2011 issue of "Pediatrics," regular consumption of Monster Energy Drinks can cause serious health problems such as seizures, diabetes, cardiac problems and certain psychiatric disorders due to high levels of caffeine. This is of particular concern for teenagers and young adults since 30 to 50 percent of this population reportedly consumes energy drinks. Children who consume energy drinks are also at increased risk for these adverse health conditions, according to this study. In fact, 46 percent of caffeine overdoses that occurred in 2007 in the United States were among people under the age of 19.
Alcohol
Monster Energy Drinks do not contain alcohol; however, it may be consumed in combination with alcohol. Although the ingestion of alcohol and caffeine pose serious health risks, alcohol and energy drinks continue to be consumed together, especially among college students. Energy drink and alcohol consumption among 72 college students was the focus of a study published in the May 2010 issue of "Drug and Alcohol Review." This study found that 76 percent of these college students had combined alcohol with energy drinks. In addition, these college students tended to drink more alcohol when mixed with an energy drink.
References
- "The Physician and Sports Medicine"; Energy drinks: a review of use and safety for athletes; E. Duchan, et al.; June 2010
- "Journal of the American Pharmacists Association"; Safety Issues Associated with Commercially Available Energy Drinks; K.A. Clausen, et al.; May-June 2008
- "Pediatrics"; Health Effects of Energy Drinks on Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults; S.M. Seifert, et al.; February 2011
- "Drug and Alcohol Review"; Energy drink co-administration is associated with increased reported alcohol ingestion; S.R. Price et al.; May 2011
- RxList.com: L-Carnitine
- Monster Energy Ingredients
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