engleski

Caffeine in energy drinks and its health effects

The consumption of energy drinks can lead to immediate and short-term improvements in mental and physical health. Long-term consumption, on the other hand, can lead to serious adverse effects such as hypertension, tachycardia, heart failure, headache, anxiety, insomnia and even death. The aim of the study was to quantify caffeine concentrations in energy drinks available on the market in Eastern Slavonia and compare them with the labelled values, according to specifications (with and without sugar), volume, price and energy. Caffeine concentrations were determined by high-pressure liquid chromatography with a diode array detector. Out of 48 available energy drinks that were classified into nine brands, three brands showed smaller deviations from the labelled caffeine value(< 5 mg/L) while two brands showed a deviation from 5 to 10 mg/L. Four brands showed a deviation more than 10 mg/L while one of them showed a deviation of 30.440 mg/L. The difference in measured and labelled caffeine values between groups of energy drinks according to sugar content, proved to be statistically significant (p = 0.024) as well as the difference in measured and labelled caffeine values between groups of energy drinks according to product price (p = 0.024). The statistically significant difference was proved in measured and labelled caffeine values between groups of energy drinks according to the labelled energy value of the product (p = 0.009) while there were no statistically significant differences in the measured and labelled caffeine values between groups of energy drinks according to product volume (p = 0.212). It can be concluded that declarations on energy drinks are sufficient, while the caffeine concentrations listed on all cans of tested energy drinks are mostly in accordance with the declared values. Consumers may be advised to be informed through the declarations of these products before consumption.

energy drinks ; adverse effect ; caffeine ; labelled values

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