Consequences of alcohol consumption mixed with Energy Drink. Overview of systematic reviews

Abstract

The habit of teenagers and young adults to take alcoholic beverages mixed with Energy Drinks (AmED) is increasing. Epidemiological data are of concern but awareness of the problem between consumers and health workers is scarce. To compare the effects and damages from consumption of AmED compared to alcohol. Finding documents through the interrogation of seven biomedical databases. Overview of systematic reviews assessed for methodological quality and risk of bias respectively with the AMSTAR checklist and ROBIS tool with narrative synthesis of results. Six systematic reviews of low quality and high risk of bias met the inclusion criteria. The intake of AmED seems to determine the increase in state of vigilance, reduction of sedation and possible effects at physiological level; there are no significantly different cognitive or psychomotor effects. The evidence to support a lower perception of alcohol intoxication is insufficient; controversial are those in favour of an increase in alcohol intake or risky behavior. The results of experimental studies, which unlike nonexperimental could identify a cause-effect relationship, are often statistically insignificant and do not lead to a unanimous consensus on the different effects/damages of two consumption patterns. The authors of three reviews declare conflicts of interest with an ED producer, raising the problem of industry's influence on research. The current evidence is insufficient to confirm or refute the hypothesis that intake of AmED results in significantly different effects/damage compared to alcohol. However, the magnitude of phenomenon must act as a push for further studies promoted by independent researchers.