Some Popular Energy Shots and Their Ingredients: Are They Safe and Should They Be Used? A Literature Review

John Higgins,George Liras,Ioannis Liras

doi:10.3390/beverages4010020

John Higgins, George Liras + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/beverages4010020

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Abstract

The current demanding and busy lifestyle has spawned the development of supplements that are marketed as energy and concentration boosters. Energy shots are one of the most popular such supplements due to their small volume and efficient packaging. The components of energy shots have very limited evidence supporting their effects, and their efficacy is not consistently proven. This literature review from the past 40 years utilized PubMed, MEDLINE, SCOPUS and EMBASE, using the following keywords: ‘energy beverage’, ‘energy drink’, ‘energy shot’, ‘power shot’, ‘power energy’, ‘exercise’, ‘caffeine’, ‘glucose’, ‘ginseng’, ‘guarana’, ‘l-tyrosine’, ‘green tea extract’, ‘quercetin’, ‘garcinia cambogia extract’, ‘yerba mate’, and ‘taurine’. The effects of each ingredient individually, as well as of energy shots in general, were summarized, and recommendations on use and safety of energy shots are provided.

Highlights

The popularity of energy shots has increased over the years, especially amongst active teenagers, younger adults, and military recruits [1,2]
There are a great variety of energy shots available, and most have their own proprietary “energy blend”, which usually includes caffeine, B complex vitamins, taurine, ginseng, glucuronic acid, L -tyrosine, guarana extract, green tea extract, and other stimulants [3]
The following keywords were used in this search: ‘energy beverage’, ‘energy drink’, ‘energy shot’, ‘power shot’, ‘power energy’, ‘exercise’, ‘caffeine’, ‘glucose’, ‘ginseng’, ‘guarana’, ‘L-tyrosine’, ‘green tea extract’, ‘quercetin’, ‘garcinia cambogia extract’, ‘yerba mate’, and ‘taurine’

Summary

Introduction

The popularity of energy shots has increased over the years, especially amongst active teenagers, younger adults, and military recruits [1,2]. The reason for that is their marketing promotes these products to increase energy levels and mental alertness. Despite the many energy shots on the market, 5-hour Energy shot is by far the most popular one in the US based on sales [4]. Eternal Energy Shot) are marketed as dietary supplements. The FDA regulates both dietary supplements under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), the requirements for these products are different, including the process for marketing and reporting of adverse events post-marketing. Dietary supplements require adverse events reporting, but contents not as strictly controlled, which provides manufacturers with loopholes regarding their specific contents, especially the amount of caffeine. We should consider legislation to re-label these products as “foods and beverages” so they are subject to higher FDA standards of safety and efficacy [5]

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