Abstract
The consumption patterns of energy drinks in the Tema Municipality of the Greater-Accra region of Ghana were investigated via a cross sectional survey and the caffeine contents of these energy drinks were determined by iodimetry. The survey showed that more males than females consume energy drinks. Five types of energy drinks; Lucozade (LU), Rush (RU), Red Bull (RB), Five Star (FS) and Monster (MT) were revealed. MT was not available on the market at the time of the survey. RU was the most consumed whereas RB was the least consumed. LU had a higher consumption rate than FS. The energy drinks were normally taken for enhanced performance. The caffeine contents of the various brands of energy drinks were as follows: LU- 0.192 mg/ml, RU- 0.245 mg/ml, FS- 0.139 mg/ml and RB- 0.089 mg/ml. Most of the correspondents (148 out of 156) consumed one to three cans or bottles of energy drinks per day and this led to an intake of caffeine which was less than the recommended daily allowance of 400 mg. Some, however, ingested more than 400 mg and experienced some side effects. Key words: Energy drinks, caffeine, cross sectional survey, iodimetry.
Highlights
Caffeine is one of the most extensively studied ingredients available in food and food supplements that has garnered a lot of interest over the centuries
Though the main source of caffeine may vary globally, coffee and tea are usually the main sources (Nonthakaew et al, 2015; Heckman et al, 2010). It may be obtained from beverages like soft drinks and energy drinks that are made with synthetic caffeine to promote arousal, alertness, energy and elevated mood (Temple et al, 2017)
Since most of the energy drinks did not have their caffeine contents stated, the study could further accentuate the need for regulatory agencies to ensure that only energy drinks with their caffeine contents stated should be allowed on the markets so consumers are aware of the amounts of caffeine they ingest when they take these energy drinks
Summary
Caffeine is one of the most extensively studied ingredients available in food and food supplements that has garnered a lot of interest over the centuries. A lot of people have the misconception that, when caffeine is added to a medication, the negative effects are eliminated or the duration of those negative effects are considerably shortened. Since most of the energy drinks did not have their caffeine contents stated, the study could further accentuate the need for regulatory agencies to ensure that only energy drinks with their caffeine contents stated should be allowed on the markets so consumers are aware of the amounts of caffeine they ingest when they take these energy drinks This could go a long way to reduce excessive caffeine consumption in energy drinks
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