“Energy drinks typically feature caffeine and a combination of other ingredients, including taurine, sucrose, guarana, ginseng, niacin, pyridoxine and cyanocobalamin,” says Stephanie Ballard from Nova Southeastern University.

“Caffeine has been consistently been observed [...]]]> Washington, Aug 18 (ANI): The number of energy drinks available over the counter is unlimited these days, but how beneficial are these drinks really?

“Energy drinks typically feature caffeine and a combination of other ingredients, including taurine, sucrose, guarana, ginseng, niacin, pyridoxine and cyanocobalamin,” says Stephanie Ballard from Nova Southeastern University.

“Caffeine has been consistently been observed to enhance aerobic performance, although its effects on anaerobic performance may vary,” she added.

The impact of energy drinks on weight loss has different theories. Some data suggest that combined with exercise, they may lead to weight loss.

However, other studies suggest that users may get addicted to caffeine, with increasing calorie-burn and weight loss.

However, being loaded with sugar, energy drinks may be contributing to the obesity epidemic alongside less caffeinated, sugary drinks like soda, warned Ballard.

“For the National Collegiate Athletic Association, athletes are considered to be doping if urinary caffeine is greater than 15 µg/mL, which is about the same as drinking eight cups of coffee, each containing 100 mg of caffeine,” Ballard said.

Caffeine has been reported to cause insomnia, nervousness, arrhythmias, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, pregnancy and childbirth complication, gastrointestinal upset and death.

But small amounts can be safe and still boost performance.

“Caffeine in amounts of up to 6 mg/kg may produce benefits with low risk of adverse effects,” she added.

The study was published in a recent issue of The Physician and Sportsmedicine. (ANI).

Via: newstrackindia.com

Okay, both caffeine and [...]]]> If you’re like me and sometimes get sleepy in the afternoon you are probably just caffeine deficient. Hyper energetic kids, who may be Ritalin deficient, can be easily treated by the doctor’s prescription pad. Experiencing the hot flashes that come with menopause? Yup, that’s an easy one to diagnose, you’re estrogen deficient.

Okay, both caffeine and Ritalin deficiencies seem way off tune, but not “estrogen deficiency” which has played lead fiddle in the menopause orchestra for 40 years. By recasting a “deficiency” as a disease, marketers shaped the ground to sell one of the most prescribed treatments in the history of the world – hormone “replacement” therapy.

Ever since Dr. Robert Wilson published his 1966 book, Feminine Forever, (he referred to menopausal women as “sexless caricatures of their former selves”), mongering menopause has been a well-orchestrated effort. Public relations firms hired by drug makers have used almost every PR trick in the book, employing camouflaged celebrities, fake grassroots campaigns, and professional associations for hire to continually riff on the “estrogen deficient” chord.

The music died for HRT in 2002 when a large clinical study found that using these drugs over the long term actually increased a woman’s cardiac and cancer risks. Suffice to say redefining the normal passage of life as a disease despite the potential risks of doing so is a technique sure to boost sales.

We’ve got the male version too – “andropause.” You have to ask if the fact that as we guys age, and get grumpy, less efficient in bed, and want to nap more often is a disease worth medicating? That handy list of symptoms has been repackaged into a dangerous condition of testosterone deficiency easily cured testosterone gel rubbed on your chest. Cue the music to the Six-Million Dollar Man as the voiceover intones: “Gentlemen, we can rebuild him.”

Ads for testosterone drugs encourage doctors to drill their middle-aged male patients with questions: “Are you tired? Moody? Have a low sexual interest? That checklist pretty well sums up most guys my age who are naturally losing their mojo, but the ad’s tagline says it all: “Getting old is natural. The goal … to make feeling old optional.”

For any mongered disease, there are those few at the extreme end of the spectrum who may well benefit from being medicated. Drugs may very much make their life better even if they remain in the dark about the long-term effects of those drugs.

It took us 40 years to discover that long-term HRT increased health risks in women, and there’s no quality studies of long-term use of testosterone replacement, whose side effects include acne, prostate disorders, skin irritation, impaired urination and abnormally large breasts. Growing breasts? Mmm, that would make me a bit grumpy.

At the end of the day you have to ask if calming hot flashes or gaining a little bit of extra mojo are worth any risks whatsoever because, how does one say this nicely, “You’re not actually sick!”

Given the rise and fall of hormone replacement therapy, and her twin brother testosterone replacement therapy, it’s worth remembering that there is a lot of money to be made telling healthy people they are sick.

Via: healthzone.ca

Beverage companies Coca-Cola, Red Bull India and Goldwin Healthcare are locked in a fresh battle with research institutes and consumer advocacy groups, this time over the cap on caffeine levels in energy drinks. To end the fracas, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), a [...]]]> Caffeine levels in energy drinks cause of new discord.

Beverage companies Coca-Cola, Red Bull India and Goldwin Healthcare are locked in a fresh battle with research institutes and consumer advocacy groups, this time over the cap on caffeine levels in energy drinks. To end the fracas, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), a regulatory body of the health ministry, has asked all stakeholders to come out with their views on the matter before a final decision is taken.

According to the Prevention of Food Adulteration (PFA) Act & Rules, caffeine levels in “carbonated beverages” should not exceed 145 mg per litre. However, activists against caffeine have said that typically energy drinks have caffeine levels to the tune of 320 mg per litre — way above the permissible mark. The brands in the market are Coca-Cola’s Burn, Goldwin Healthcare’s Cloud Nine and Red Bull India’s Red Bull.

Energy drink makers have argued that being clubbed under the category of carbonated beverages under PFA Act & Rules is incorrect since these products are actually “proprietary” in nature and in that category there is no cap on caffeine usage. “The label on the can clearly indicates that we are proprietary food,” said an executive from an energy drink firm who requested anonymity. “PFA Act & Rules does have the category of proprietary foods; otherwise how could we operate in the country? Under this category, there is no cap on the caffeine levels.” These companies have demanded a new category called “energy drinks” in which there should not be any cap on caffeine.

Companies such as Red Bull India, which is one of the leading players in the Rs 200-crore category, have had frequent run-ins with regulatory authorities such as the Food & Drug Authority of Maharashtra. Last year, it had seized large Red Bull stocks during multiple raids on its distributors in Mumbai. The matter then moved to the courts, which gave a verdict against Red Bull since the caffeine levels were above the permissible limit for carbonated beverages.

A spokesperson for Red Bull India said: “It would be speculative on our part to say anything at this stage since the matter is being discussed. But Red Bull fully complies with regulations in each of the 160 countries across the world where it is on sale. This includes India where the product has been legally marketed since 2000 as a proprietary food under PFA Act & Rules.”

Legal experts, on their part, said that the term ‘proprietary foods’ is actually loosely defined in the PFA Act. “Everything that is not standardised is treated as proprietary,” said a legal expert with a fast-moving consumer goods company. It is this loose definition that institutions like the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), which have been closely associated with the preparation of legislation on food, have said the energy drinks manufacturers are taking advantage of.

Kushal Pal Singh Yadav, a researcher and coordinator on food safety issues at CSE, said: “There is no category called proprietary foods under PFA Act & Rules. The energy drink firms use this loose definition to legitimise the high incidence of caffeine in their products. The caffeine levels have to be regulated in beverage products. That is what the law of the land prescribes.” He also said that it would be incorrect to create a separate category for energy drinks: “By asking for a separate category these firms once again are seeking to legitimise the high level of caffeine in their products.”

Via: business-standard.com

A number of health workers have reported to the AMA that young doctors are using energy drinks and caffeine pills to stay awake while working extended [...]]]> The West Australian branch of the Australian Medical Association (AMA) says the State Government needs to make sure doctors are not overworked while attempting to meet the four hour rule.

A number of health workers have reported to the AMA that young doctors are using energy drinks and caffeine pills to stay awake while working extended hours.

The association is in talks with the Health Department to address the issue.

AMA state president David Mountain says patients will be put at risk unless the State Government provides extra funds to address the issue.

“There are clearly some shifts that junior doctors are doing that are very long and arduous,” he said.

“With the four hour rule being introduced, you’ve got to make sure we’ve got the right staffing and the right funding arrangements in place to make sure that happens safely.”

Health Minister Kim Hames says he will investigate the claims.

“Young doctors shouldn’t be taking tablets and shouldn’t have to be doing that sort of shift, so I’m surprised I have to say to hear that there’s some suggestion that they might be and I’ll just have to make sure that they’re not doing that,” he said.

Via: abc.net.au

If we look at the contents of energy [...]]]> Energy  drinks contain , caffeine,sugars, herbs, and some amino acids.  Of late, energy drinks have become popular among younger people. Realizing that high levels of caffeine and sugars present in energy drinks, we should educate people about some of the dangers associated with the consumption of energy drink.

If we look at the contents of energy drinks, it is obvious that the amount of caffeine is pretty high; in fact, one can of a typical energy drink contains 3-4 times the amount of caffeine one finds in Pepsi or Coke.  Similarly, sugar levels in energy drinks also tend to be on the high side. A 355 ml can can contain 20-30 g of sugar.  Add up the cereal and the muffins and you have an idea how many calories one can end up with.

While some benefits have been attributed to the use of energy drinks, these benefits tend to be temporary and can be harmful in the long run. For example, high doses of caffeine, supplanted by ginseng, may restore alertness in tired individuals, help improve cognitive performance, and bring on a high.  However, there is a price to be paid in terms of the need for higher doses with continued use and the effects on the brain. Moreover, irregular heartbeat or arrhythmia has been reported with high caffeine use.

Another point of concern with the use of energy drinks stems from the fact that energy drinks contain herbs such as ginkgo bilboa.  Ginkgo can accentuate the effects of caffeine.

Energy drinks also contain taurine- an amino acid. Some studies have shown that taurine and caffeine can improve alertness and information processinghttp://http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11713623.

Lastly, there is a misconception that energy drinks combined with alcohol can help ameliorate the negative effects of alcohol on coordination and reaction time- so vital for drivinghttp://http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20682226.

Admittedly, more studies need to be done to assess the effects of energy drinks on physiology and psychology of human behavior.

However, current knowledge and common sense tell us that excessive sugar and caffeine consumption can cause adverse effects.

Therefore, young folks should avoid the use of energy drinks if they want to remain healthy.

Via: examiner.com

In the past, mothers-to-be have been advised not to drink coffee at all because it was thought to substantially increase the risk of harm to the foetus and of reduced birth weight, which makes the child more likely to die [...]]]> Pregnant women can enjoy their morning coffee without risking harm to their unborn baby, scientists claim.

In the past, mothers-to-be have been advised not to drink coffee at all because it was thought to substantially increase the risk of harm to the foetus and of reduced birth weight, which makes the child more likely to die early or suffer developmental problems.

Now researchers claim that one large cup of coffee a day is unlikely to cause any harm at all.

They say that 200mg of caffeine – the equivalent of two cups of instant or one of filter – will not increase the risk of miscarriage or premature birth.

However, scientists still warn that expectant mothers should not have more than two cups a day as this increases the chance of miscarriage or premature birth.

The U.S. research by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, looked at two previous studies on the effects of coffee consumption on 1,000 pregnant women.

One study found no increased rate of miscarriage for women who consumed low, moderate, or high levels of caffeine at different points in their pregnancy.
Via: dailymail.co.uk

A research review by The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists had found that moderate caffeine consumption probably won’t increase the risk of a miscarriage or premature birth.

Until recently, studies have had conflicting findings about the effect of moderate caffeine consumption on pregnancy complications [...]]]> PREGNANT women need no longer give up their morning cup of coffee.

A research review by The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists had found that moderate caffeine consumption probably won’t increase the risk of a miscarriage or premature birth.

Until recently, studies have had conflicting findings about the effect of moderate caffeine consumption on pregnancy complications but a College committee has reviewed the evidence.

“I think it’s time to comfortably say that it’s OK to have a cup of coffee during pregnancy,” Dr William Barth, the chair of the College committee, said.

The College’s Committee on Obstetric Practice said that 200 milligrams of caffeine a day – about the amount in a 12-ounce cup of coffee – doesn’t significantly contribute to miscarriages or premature births.

That definition of “moderate caffeine consumption” would also include drinking about four 8-ounce cups of tea or more than five 12-ounce cans of soda a day, or eating six or seven dark chocolate bars. The committee said the evidence was not clear on whether consuming more than 200mg of caffeine a day might raise pregnancy risks.

The group considered two recent studies, each of which followed more than 1,000 pregnant women.

One study, led by Dr David Savitz of The Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York, found no increased rate of miscarriage for women who consumed low, moderate, or high levels of caffeine at different points in their pregnancy. In the other, Dr Li De-kun and his colleagues at Kaiser Permanente’s Division of Research in Oakland found a higher risk of miscarriage in women who consumed more than 200mg of caffeine per day, but no extra risk at lower levels.

The committee also pointed to two other studies that found that a mother’s moderate caffeine intake did not make it any more likely she would deliver a baby prematurely.

Research has shown that caffeine is able to cross the placenta, which led to worries that it could cause miscarriage or premature birth.

Via: shanghaidaily.com