In addition to caffeine, the berry-flavored Redline contains yohimbine, used in treating erectile dysfunction, and vinpocetine, used in Europe in the treatment of Alzheimer's, according to David Schardt, senior nutritionist for the Center for Science in the Public Interest, a health advocacy group.
Redline's bottle contains a warning that it's not for use by individuals younger than 18, those pregnant or nursing, or if there's a family history of heart disease, high blood pressure, depression, caffeine sensitivity, glaucoma and other ailments. Monster, Rockstar, Spike Shooter and SoBe No Fear contain similar printed warnings. The Food and Drug Administration regulates the caffeine content in soft drinks but not in energy drinks. For colas, the FDA has set the maximum concentration of caffeine at 32.4 milligrams per 6-ounce bottle or 65 milligrams per 12 ounces.
"The FDA could challenge such products, but we have generally refrained to do so if amounts to be consumed were not higher than the levels consumed from coffee," FDA press officer Stephanie Kwisnek says. An 8-ounce coffee, in general, contains about 100 milligrams of caffeine.
"If there is a public health risk with energy drinks or with any other beverage, FDA will take the appropriate action deemed necessary to protect the public's health," she adds.
The attention surrounding the Weston incident -- the students recovered -- prompted Broward, Fla., school board members to consider banning energy drinks from school campuses. This potential move was welcomed by Davie, Fla.-based Redline CEO Jack Owoc, who has offered the district $25,000 toward enacting a ban. Owoc feels that minors should not be taking these drinks.
Pediatricians agree.
"There is no real therapeutic benefits associated with these energy drinks," said Dr. Steven Lipshultz, chairman of the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. "If you're a 200-pound adult, an 8-ounce bottle of something that contains 250 milligrams of caffeine may not be a big deal, but if you weigh 60 pounds and are getting the same dose" it's a problem.
The University of Florida's Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine conducted a study analyzing the caffeine content in energy drinks and other beverages. Publishing their work in the March 2006 edition of the Journal of Analytical Toxicology, researchers concluded that "there are important health concerns that cannot be ignored with regards to the amount of caffeine contained in these drinks. Children should be considered vulnerable to excess caffeine."
