Effect of consumption of energy drinks and their toxicities

Abstract

The energy drink should not be confused with an energizing drink because the latter is intended to give a boost of energy to its consumer by using a mixture of stimulating ingredients not intended for an athlete, namely, among others, caffeine, taurine and sugar. These stimulants induce a feeling of euphoria or/and a sense of arousal, they accelerate the heart rate and increase the respiratory rate and blood pressure. Our work is aimed to study the physico-chemical characteristics of these energy drinks and their toxicities such as: determination of pH total hardness, hydrotimetrictitle (TH); titratable acidity, sugar and protein levels; calcium; zinc; and heavy metal assays also performed such as: Chromium, Copper, Iron, Lead, Mercury. We found that some energy drinks studied include an increase in caffeine content that exceeds the threshold limits recommended 300mg per day, as well as sugar and their pH which is acidic and the presence of traces of heavy metals such as Zinc and Mercury. This study poses some legitimate questions about the negative effect of the consumption of these so-called energizing drinks in high doses and without moderation for the body and their toxicities, especially for populations at risk (athletes, pregnant women, adolescents). Despite the legality of marketing these so-called energy drinks worldwide, scientists in several bulletins recommend caution and moderation in the overdose consumption of these energy drinks and point their fingers at the negative impact on human health.