Caffeine content of Energy Drinks

July 02, 2011

Pollution Monitoring Laboratory of CSE The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), a non-governmental organization based in NewDelhi, has set up the Pollution Monitoring Laboratory (PML) to monitor environmental pollution. PML is an ISO 9001:2008 certified laboratory accredited by SWISO, CH-5610, Wohlen,Switzerland, conducting Pollution Monitoring and Scientific Studies on Environmental Samples.

The Lab has highly qualified and experienced staff that exercise Analytical Quality Control (AQC)and meticulously follow what is called Good Laboratory Practices (GLP). It is equipped with most sophisticated state-of-the-art equipments for monitoring and analysis of air, water and food contamination, including Gas Chromatograph with Mass Detector (GC-MS), Gas Chromatograph(GC) with ECD, NPD, FID and other detectors, High Performance Liquid Chromatograph (HPLC),Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS), UV-VIS Spectrophotometer, Mercury Analyzer, Respirable Dust Sampler etc. Its main aim is to undertake scientific studies to generate public awareness about food, water and air contamination. It provides scientific services at nominal cost to communities that cannot obtain scientific evidence against polluters in their area.

This is aneffort to use science to achieve ecological security
Introduction Caffeine, a representative of the group of three methylxanthine compounds, acts as a stimulanton the central nervous system. Energy drinks are non-alcoholic beverages containing caffeine, guarana, glucuronolactone, taurine, ginseng, inositol, carnitine, B-vitamins etc. as main ingredients that act as stimulants. In recent years, a number of different energy drinks have been introduced in the Indian market to provide an energy boost or as dietary supplements. 

These drinks contain high levels of caffeine which stimulates the nervous system. Energy drinks are heavily marketed to young adults and others and manufacturers compare the effects of the drinks to the use of drugs like cocaine. Many of these drinks are heavily promoted in bars or for use in combination with alcohol, which could further increase the health risk to consumers. There are a number of scientific reports on the adverse consequences of excessive consumption of caffeine. The main sources of caffeine are tea, coffee and soft drinks.

In energy drinks, caffeine is added at levels of up to 80 mg per serve. The drinks usually have a number of added water soluble vitamins such as, niacin, pantothenic acid, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 and other substances, such as amino acids. There are, at present, no standards for caffeine in energy drinks. The present study was undertaken to determine the caffeine content of energy drinks.