Modern energy drink manufacturers often claim to enrich their drinks with vitamins.
Photo: Alexander SHPAKOVSKY. Go to Photobank KP
Russians are increasingly addicted to energy drinks. According to a study by RANEPA, in 2013 such drinks were consumed by 16.6% of the population, and in 2023, by 22.8%. At the same time, men consume energy drinks almost twice as much as women (32.4% versus 14.8%). But the main fans of invigorating liquids are teenagers and young people.
Few people read the ingredients listed on brightly coloured cans. What is actually in these energy drinks? And how much of the description on the packaging corresponds to reality? To find out the truth, Roskachestvo conducted a large-scale study of popular drink brands. Many violations were revealed. Consumers should certainly be aware of these unpleasant surprises.
SECRET SUPPLEMENTS
It is no secret that energy drinks are full of “chemicals”. Manufacturers have the right to use approved additives. But we are obliged to warn about their content. At the very least, because certain substances can negatively affect the condition of some people.
Thus, a yellow synthetic dye with the romantic name “dusk” (E 110) can negatively affect the concentration of attention in children, Roskoshestvo notes. (https://rskrf.ru/tips/spetsproekty/napitki-energeticheskie/) Experts discovered exactly this ingredient in Lit Energy. But E110 was not listed on the package! There was only an abstract note about the effect of the dye on children.
Experts have found a hidden preservative in the Bombbar drink: sorbic acid; the producers have also modestly kept quiet about it.
However, taurine is not indicated on the label of the Samokat energy drink, although it is present in its composition, Roskachestvo reports. It is a stimulant, like caffeine. Experts stress that data on the content of such ingredients is very important so that a person can control their amount, because too much of it can be harmful to their health.
SUGAR EXCESS AND CAFFEINE OVERDOSE
According to the advanced standard of Roskachestvo (these are “advanced” standards that are more beneficial to health), no more than 12.5 g of sugar is allowed per 100 ml of drink. “In energy drinks Burn and Lit Energy, this figure was 14.67 and 13.97 g, respectively,” the study reported. In other cases, no exaggeration was found. However, experts remind us that energy drinks contain a lot of added sugar. “A 250-500 ml can of the drink can cover all the daily sugar needs of children and even exceed them,” Roskoshestvo warns.
The situation is similar with caffeine. “Most energy drinks contain at least a quarter of the daily value for adults! It turns out that the drink can have too strong an effect on the child,” say the experts.
According to a meta-analysis (a review of existing scientific papers) conducted by scientists from the UK, the safe dose of caffeine for children is 2.5 mg per 1 kg of body weight. This means that for a child weighing 30 kg, up to 75 mg of caffeine is allowed, and for a child weighing 40 kg – up to 100 mg. Moreover, only one of the studied energy drinks contained 70.5 mg of caffeine in the entire can (with a volume of 0.25 l). All the others exceeded the children’s norm of 100 mg – 155 mg was recorded in one drink, Roskachestvo reports. “During the day, a child can drink tea, cola and other caffeinated drinks, which leads to far exceeding the daily permissible intake,” the experts add.
WHAT OTHER VIOLATIONS WERE DISCOVERED?
– “Vitamin deception.” Modern energy drink manufacturers often claim that they enrich their drinks with vitamins. I was encouraged and received health benefits. However, according to experts, this is often a myth. Roskachestvo experts found that in many cases the vitamin content is much lower than stated on the packaging. Or, during the study, the devices do not “see” the vitamin ingredients at all (their amount is “below the detection limit by laboratory methods”).
– In one of the drinks (Bombbar) the presence of yeast and an excess in the amount of microorganisms was recorded, which indicates a violation of safety standards.
– PulseUp energy drink did not contain L-carnitine, although it is indicated on the label (this supplement is recommended for active sports, but its benefits are currently assessed ambiguously https://cgon.rospotrebnadzor.ru/naseleniyu/zdorovyy-obraz-zhizni/ chto-takoe-l-karnitin/).
WHAT’S THE SCORE?
In total, Roskachestvo reviewed 20 popular brands of energy drinks. The drinks were assessed on 57 indicators related to safety, quality and labelling accuracy.
The study showed that drinks from 9 out of 20 brands meet the mandatory requirements of the law, as well as the advanced standard of Roskachestvo in all respects: Flash Up, Red Bull, Gorilla, Tornado, Adrenaline Rush, Baikal, Jaguar, Genesis and Russian Army.
In any case, experts advise limiting the consumption of energy drinks by adults. And trying to protect children from these drinks (remember that from March 2025 a federal law will come into force banning the sale of energy drinks and tonics to minors).
– WHO recommends [взрослым] Do not consume more than 400 mg of caffeine per day. It is important to understand that we are talking about the total amount, in the form of tea, coffee and/or energy drinks. Some medicines may also contain caffeine. If you have already drunk a couple of cups of Americano during the day, then most likely an energy drink will be superfluous, Roskoshestvo emphasizes. The study revealed that one can of energy drink (in a volume of 0.5 liters) contains between 114 and 170 milligrams of caffeine.
