By Rebekka Coakley, Penn State
UNIVERSITY PARK – Described as “black out in a can” or “liquid cocaine,” the popularity of caffeinated alcoholic beverages is rising on university campuses. Students may find the low price and strong effects of these beverages appealing, but the FDA recently declared caffeinated alcohol unsafe. After a scientific review, the FDA’s principal deputy commissioner, Joshua Sharfstein has said, “…there is evidence that the combination of caffeine and alcohol in these products pose a public health concern.”
There is research suggesting that the mixture of alcohol, a depressant that slows down respiration and heart rate, and caffeine, a stimulant that can mask the depressant effects of alcohol, increases the risk of cardiac-related problems due to sending mixed signals to the nervous system, according to Linda LaSalle, associate director of educational services for University Health Services there.
At the urging of 19 state attorneys general, the Food and Drug Administration this week (Nov. 17) issued warning letters to several manufacturers of alcoholic energy drinks, saying the caffeine in the beverages is an “unsafe food additive.” The manufacturers have 15 days to respond and provide evidence that the combination of caffeine and alcohol is safe. The FDA has been reviewing the safety of alcoholic energy drinks, which come in about 40 different varieties, for the past year.
Based on research published in American Emergency Medicine, students who combine alcohol and caffeine are more likely than students who only drink alcohol to be injured, need medical attention, take sexual advantage of another or be sexually taken advantage of, or accept a ride from a drunk driver.
“This combination makes it difficult for an individual to tell how impaired they really are,” said Penn State’s LaSalle. “Not being able to determine how drunk one is may cause the person to drink more alcohol, which could lead to negative consequences.”
LaSalle said that the caffeine does not lower an individual’s blood alcohol level, so the effect of alcohol on the body and brain can be fairly substantial if the person consumes an entire can of Four Loko, for example, in a short period of time. The additional ingredients in some energy drinks also can be harmful.
“Students should be cautious when consuming any product that does not provide information about the ingredients,” LaSalle said. “The manufacturers of Four Loko, for example, provide no information about the quantity of caffeine, taurine, quarana and sugar that is added to the product.”
One of these caffeinated alcoholic beverages contains 12 percent alcohol in a 23.5 fluid ounce can (or about 5 standard drinks of alcohol), an estimated 260 milligrams of caffeine (about four or five cans of soda), and an estimated 660 calories. According to the Mayo Clinic, taurine, which is also found in these alcohol energy drinks, is an amino acid that regulates water and mineral salts in the blood and supports neurological development. Consuming up to 3,000 milligrams per day is safe, but little is known about long-term effects of its use. Guarana, an herbal supplement also in the drinks, contain up to three times as much caffeine by weight than coffee. Side effects may include sleep problems, anxiety, upset stomach and an increased heart rate. High doses may cause increased heart rate, breast disease and high blood pressure. An overdose of caffeine can cause seizures and convulsions.
LaSalle said that based on the information she has received related to these caffeine spiked alcoholic drinks, her best advice would be for students to avoid consuming them.
