THE FDA SHOULD BE REQUIRED TOREGULATE THE INGREDIENTSIN ENERGY DRINKS

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Energy Drinks Are Harmful Introduction Consuming energy drinks such as Red Bull, Monster and the 5- Hour Energy Shot, which contains caffeine and other additives, is dangerous to an individual’s health and in some cases fatal. Manufacturers of energy drinks claim consumption of their products will improve athletic performance, concentration and reaction time, as well increase basal metabolism. However, manufacturers’ of energy drinks add additional energy-enhancing ingredients such as glucose, taurine, guarana and ginseng. Each of those ingredients has numerous adverse side effects, see table 1 on page 8. Yet, energy drink manufacturers are not required to list the amount or type of additive used in their products. According to the Food and Drug administration (FDA), approval of the FDA is required in order to use additives in conventional foods. Dietary supplements, is considered by the FDA as generally recognizes safe by qualified experts therefore not considered a food additive. Unfortunately, the FDA need not approve adding them to conventional foods such as drinks. Consequently, manufacturers of energy drinks are taking advantages of this by labeling their products as “dietary supplements. “ Therefore, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) should be in a position to regulate the ingredients added to energy drinks. In addition, the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), which regulates both dietary supplements and conventional foods does not require manufacturers of conventional foods to report serious adverse events (FDA, 2012). Caffeine, a central nervous system stimulant, is the main psychoactive ingredient in energy drinks, which enhances alertness and mood, and counteracts symptoms of sleep. There is no doubt ... ... middle of paper ... ...thy eating. Retrieved June 20, 2014, from Mayo clinic: http://www.mayoclinic.org/caffeine/ART-20045678?p=1 Szpak, A. a. (2012, April 2). A case of acute suicidality following excesive caffeine intake. Journal of Psychopharmacology. doi: 10.1177/0269881112442788 Terry, L. (2014, June 25). The Oregonian. Retrieved June 26, 2014, from More deahts linked to energy drinks: 34 since 2004: http://www.oregonlive.com/health/index.ssf/2014/06/more_deaths_linked_to_energy_d.html Yew, D. M. (2014, March 31). Caffeine Toxicity. (A. M. Tarabar, Editor) Retrieved June 18, 2014, from Medscape: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/821863-overview Zeratsky, K. R. (2012, March 27). Can energy drinks really boost a person's energy? Retrieved June 23, 2014, from Mayo Clinic: http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/expert-answers/energy-drinks/faq-20058349

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