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R E V I E W Open Access
International Society of Sports Nutrition position
stand: energy drinks
Bill Campbell
1†
, Colin Wilborn
2†
, Paul La Bounty
3
, Lem Taylor
2†
, Mike T Nelson
4
, Mike Greenwood
5†
,
Tim N Ziegenfuss
6
, Hector L Lopez
6
, Jay R Hoffman
7
, Jeffrey R Stout
7
, Stephen Schmitz
8†
, Rick Collins
9†
,
Doug S Kalman
10
, Jose Antonio
11†
and Richard B Kreider
5*
Abstract
Position Statement: The International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN) bases the following position stand on a
critical analysis of the literature on the safety and efficacy of the use of energy drinks (ED) or energy shots (ES).
The ISSN has concluded the following. 1. Although ED and ES contain a number of nutrients that are purported to
affect mental and/or physical performance, the primary ergogenic nutrients in most ED and ES appear to be
carbohydrate and/or caffeine. 2. The ergogenic value of caffeine on mental and physical performance has been
well-established but the potential additive benefits of other nutrients contained in ED and ES remains to be
determined. 3. Consuming ED 10-60 minutes before exercise can improve mental focus, alertness, anaerobic
performance, and/or endurance performance. 4. Many ED and ES contain numerous ingredients; these products in
particular merit further study to demonstrate their safety and potential effects on physical and mental performance.
5. There is some limited evidence that consumption of low-calorie ED during training and/or weight loss trials may
provide ergogenic benefit and/or promote a small amount of additional fat loss. However, ingestion of higher
calorie ED may promote weight gain if the energy intake from consumption of ED is not carefully considered as
part of the total daily energy intake. 6. Athletes should consider the impact of ingesting high glycemic load
carbohydrates on metabolic health, blood glucose and insulin levels, as well as the effects of caffeine and other
stimulants on motor skill performance. 7. Children and adolescents should only consider use of ED or ES with
parental approval after consideration of the amount of carbohydrate, caffeine, and other nutrients contained in the
ED or ES and a thorough understanding of the potential side effects. 8. Indiscriminant use of ED or ES, especially if
more than one serving per day is consumed, may lead to adverse events and harmful side effects. 9. Diabetics and
individuals with pre-existing cardiovascular, metabolic, hepatorenal, and neurologic disease who are taking
medications that may be affected by high glycemic load foods, caffeine, and/or other stimulants should avoid use
of ED and/or ES unless approved by their physician.
Introduction
According to published research, energy drinks (ED) are
the most popular dietary supplement besides multivita-
mins in the American adolescent and young adult popu-
lation [1-3]. ED are also reported to be the most popular
supplement among British athletes [4]. More recently,
energy shots (ES) have also been purported to possess
ergogenic value on mental focus and/or performance
[5]. It is important to make a distinction between ED,
ES, and sports drinks. Sports drinks are a unique cate-
gory within the beverage industry and are marketed to
consumers with the primary function of promoting hy-
dration, replacing electrolytes and sustaining endurance
performance capacity. They typically provide a small
amount of carbohydrate (e.g., 6-8 grams/100 ml) and
electrolytes (sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium).
ED, on the other hand, typically contain higher amounts
of carbohydrate along with nutrients purported to im-
prove perceptions of attention and/or mental alertness.
Low calorie ED are also marketed to increase mental
alertness, energy metabolism, and performance. Energy
shots are typically 2-4 oz. servings of concentrated fluid
* Correspondence: rkreider@hlkn.tamu.edu
†
Equal contributors
5
Exercise & Sport Nutrition Lab, Department of Health & Kinesiology, Texas
A&M University, College Station, Texas, TX 77843-4243, USA
Full list of author information is available at the end of the article
© 2013 Campbell et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative
Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and
reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Campbell et al. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition 2013, 10:1
http://www.jissn.com/content/10/1/1
containing various purported ergogens. Since ED and ES
contain carbohydrate, caffeine, and/or nutrients that may
affect mental focus and concentration, they have the
potential to affect exercise capacity and perceptions of
energy and/or fatigue. The purpose of this position stand
is to critically evaluate the scientific literature and make
recommendations in regards to the role that ED and/or
ES may have on exercise performance and energy ex-
penditure/metabolism. Additionally, we will discuss safety
considerations in regards to the use of ED and/or ES.
Methods
This analysis represents a systematic review of the literature
on the effects of “energy drinks”on exercise and cognitive
performance as well as primary ingredients contained in
popular energy drinks. A comprehensive literature search
was performed by searching the Medline database of the
US National Library of Medicine of the National Institutes
of Health. The search strategy involved entering “energy
drinks”and commercial names of energy drinks and/or caf-
feinated beverages as well as a search of primary nutrients
contained in popular energy drinks (e.g., caffeine, carbohy-
drate, taurine, glucoronolactone, Guarana, Yerba Mate,
etc.). It is important to note, from a United States regula-
tory perspective, several of these ED are marketed as diet-
ary supplements and not beverages, and the label on the
product will indicate which category of Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) authority the product falls under.
Each category has its own set of governing laws and regula-
tions. For example, depending on the category, the labels
will include Supplement Facts (dietary supplements) or
Nutrition Facts (beverages). A paper summarizing the
literature related to ED was presented at the 2011
International Society of Sports Nutrition Annual meeting.
Thereafter, a position stand writing team was organized to
develop this paper. Drafts of this position stand were then
reviewed by all authors as well as the Research Committee
of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN).
The final version of this paper was then adopted as the
official position of the ISSN.
Ergogenic/performance considerations
The ingestion of nutrients prior to, during, and/or fol-
lowing exercise can affect exercise performance and/or
training adaptations [6]. ED typically contain water, car-
bohydrates (e.g., glucose, maltodextrin), vitamins, minerals,
and “proprietary blends”of various nutrients purported to
increase energy, alertness, metabolism, and/or perform-
ance (e.g., caffeine, taurine, amino acids, glucoronolactone,
Guarana, Ginkgo biloba, Carnitine, Panax ginseng, Green
Tea, Yerba Mate, etc.). Therefore, ingestion of ED or ES
prior to, during, and/or following exercise could have
some ergogenic value. Tables 1 and 2 present a list of
ingredients found in several ED/ES marketed in the
United States. The next section provides an overview of
the potential ergogenic value of some of the most com-
monly found nutrients in ED/ES.
Caffeine
Caffeine is the most common ingredient utilized in
energy drinks. Caffeine is extracted from the raw fruit of
over sixty species of coffee plants (coffea Arabica), all
part of the methylxanthine family. Caffeine is also
extracted from tea, kola nuts, and cocoa. After ingestion,
caffeine is quickly absorbed and increases in plasma con-
centrations are generally observed between 30 –60 min-
utes following ingestion [7]. The difference in absorption
time is dependent on the physicochemical formulation
properties of the product dose [8]. Caffeine is a strong
cardiovascular stimulant that increases epinephrine out-
put to a greater extent when ingested via its anhydrous
formulation when compared to an equal amount of
brewed or instant caffeinated coffee [9,10]. In addition,
caffeine’s half-life ranges from approximately 2 to 10
hours with 0.5% - 3.5% of its content excreted un-
changed in urine and select amounts eliminated via per-
spiration [11]. A recent position stand from the Journal
of the International Society of Sports Nutrition [7] sum-
marized the effects of caffeine on exercise performance
as follows:
1. Caffeine is effective for enhancing sport performance
in trained athletes when consumed in low-to-moderate
dosages (~3-6 mg·kgBM
-1
) and overall does not result
in further enhancement in performance when
consumed in higher dosages (≥9 mg·kgBM
-1
).
2. Caffeine exerts a greater ergogenic effect when
consumed in an anhydrous state as compared to coffee.
3. It has been shown that caffeine can enhance
vigilance during bouts of extended exhaustive
exercise, as well as periods of sustained sleep
deprivation.
4. Caffeine is ergogenic for sustained maximal
endurance exercise, and has been shown to be highly
effective for time-trial performance.
5. Caffeine supplementation is beneficial for
high-intensity exercise, including team sports such as
soccer and rugby, both of which are categorized by
intermittent activity within a period of prolonged
duration.
6. The literature is equivocal when considering the
effects of caffeine supplementation on strength-power
performance, and additional research in this area is
warranted.
7. The scientific literature does not support
caffeine-induced diuresis during exercise, or any
harmful change in fluid balance that would
negatively affect performance.
Campbell et al. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition 2013, 10:1 Page 2 of 16
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Table 1 List of ingredients described on nutrient panels found in some energy drinks
Ingredient A B C D E
Calories 100 110 140 120 140
Carbohydrate 27 28 31 32 30
Calories from
Fat
--- -
Vitamin C - 100 mg - 100 mg 6.7mg
Thiamin - 0.1 mg - - 0.2 mg
Riboflavin B2 1.7 mg 1.5 mg 3.4 mg 20% 0.2 mg
Niacin B3 20 mg 21.7 mg 20 mg 10% 2.2 mg
Vitamin B6 40 mg 2.1 mg 2 mg 10% 1.5 mg
Vitamin B12 6 mcg 4.5 mcg 6 mcg 10% 4.7 mcg
Pantothenic
Acid
- 36 mg - 10% 1.1 mg
Sodium 180 mg 200 mg 40 mg 75 mg 190 mg
Potassium - 10 mg 10 mg - 65 mg
Phosphorus - - - 40 mg 90 mg
Taurine 1,000 mg 600 mg 1000 mg - -
Panax
Ginseng
200 mg - 25 - -
Proprietary
Blend
2,500 mg L-Carnitine, Glucose,
Caffeine, Guarana, Inositol,
Glucuronolactone, Maltodextrin
Caffeine
(77 mg)
325 mg Ginko Biloba (150 mg),
Caffeine (80 mg), Guarana (25 mg),
Inositol (25 mg), L-Carnitine (25 mg),
Milk Thistle (20 mg)
Guarana, maltodextrin,
caffeine, taurine,
panax ginseng,
calcium
Citrulline Malate,
L-Glutamine,
L-Arginine, Quercetin,
L-Leucine, L-Valine,
Table 2 List of ingredients described on nutrient panels found in some energy shots
Ingredient A B C D E
Calories 4 4 20 9 0
Carbohydrate - - 4 g 1 g 0
Calories from
Fat
----
Vitamin C - 100 mg - - 126%
Niacin 30 mg 33 mg 33 mg -
Vitamin B6 40 mg 40 mg 40 mg -
Folic Acid 400 mcg 400 mcg 400 mcg -
Vitamin B12 500 mcg 500 mcg 500 mcg -
Sodium 18 mg 0 mg 0 mg - 10
Potassium - 10 mg 10 mg - 26
Proprietary 1,870 mg 2,300 mg 2,200 mg 910 mg 527 mg
Blend Taurine,
Glucuronolactone,
Malic Acid,
N-Acetyl
L-Tyrosine,
L-Phenylalanine,
Caffeine, Citicoline
Glucouronolactone (425 mg),
N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine (400 mg),
L-Phenylalanine (375 mg),
Taurine (350 mg),
Malic Acid 300 mg),
Caffeine (200 mg),
Green Tea Extract (150 mg),
Ginseng Extract (150 mg)
Glucouronolactone (420 mg),
L-Phenylalanine (380 mg),
D-Ribose (350 mg),
N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine (325 mg),
Malic Acid (300 mg),
Caffeine (175 mg),
Green Tea Extract (150 mg),
Ginseng Extract (100 mg)
Caffeine Citrate,
Caffeine Anhydrous,
Evoburn,
Octapomine,
Gugulsterone E & Z,
Yerbe Mate,
Green Tea,
Synephrine, cAMP,
Vinpocetine,
Yohimbe HCL
Beta-Alanine, Vitamin C,
Caffeine Anhydrous
(158 mg), Evoburn,
N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine,
Hordinine,
5-Hydroxy-L-Trypotophan
(5-HTP), Potassium,
N-methyl Tyramine,
Sulbutlamine,
Vinpocetine,
Yohimbine HCI,
St. John’s Wort Extract
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As demonstrated below, several studies have reported
significant improvements in both aerobic and resistance
exercise with a relative dosage of approximately 2
mg·kgBM
-1
of caffeine. This is less than the amount
recommended (3-6 mg·kgBM
-1
) to enhance perform-
ance [7], and may contribute to the hypothesis that the
synergistic effects of the various ingredients contained
in ED/ES are responsible for the reported improve-
ments in exercise performance.
Carbohydrate
Another common ingredient in most ED is some type of
carbohydrate source (e.g., glucose, sucrose, maltodextrin,
etc.). Energy drinks also typically contain glucuronolac-
tone, an ingredient which is involved in ascorbic acid
synthesis and is metabolized into xylulose [12]. Evidence
from numerous studies indicates that carbohydrate fee-
ding during exercise of about 45 minutes or longer can
improve endurance capacity and performance [13,14].
Mechanisms by which carbohydrate feeding prior to
and during exercise improves endurance performance
include maintaining blood glucose levels, maintaining
high levels of carbohydrate oxidation, and the sparing
of liver and possibly skeletal muscle glycogen [15]. Peak
rates of carbohydrate oxidation are commonly around
1 g of carbohydrate per minute or 60 g·hr
-1
.Glucose,
sucrose, maltodextrins and amylopectin are oxidized at
high rates, while fructose, galactose and amylose are
oxidized at lower rates (approximately 25-50% lower)
[16]. Consequently, sports drinks typically contain a
mixture of various types of carbohydrates designed to
optimize exogenous carbohydrate oxidation [17].
ED’s contain approximately 25-30 grams of carbohy-
drate per 240 mL (8 fluid ounces) serving. This amount
nearly meets the lower value of 30 grams/hour recom-
mended during endurance exercise, but falls short of the
upper range of 60 g·hr
-1
. In order to meet this upper level
of 60 grams of carbohydrate per hour during endurance
exercise, approximately 530 mL (18 fluid ounces) of a
typical ED per hour would need to be consumed. While
the total carbohydrate content of typical ED is quite high,
a shortcoming exists in regards to the concentration of
commercially available energy drinks. The American
College of Sports Medicine [18] and the ISSN [6,17]
recommend ingesting carbohydrate in a 6-8% solution
(6-8 grams per 100 ml of fluid) during endurance exercise.
A typical ED provides carbohydrates at a greater concen-
tration, typically around an 11-12% solution. Ingesting
higher percentages (>10%) of carbohydrate in fluids has
been reported to delay gastric emptying and increase
gastrointestinal distress [19,20]. Consequently, athletes
who want to use ED as sports drinks may need to dilute
the beverage and/or alternate consumption of ED and
water during exercise.
Other nutrients
Tables 3, 4, and 5 present a list of additional nutrients
commonly found in ED or ES. Most ED and ES also
contain a small amount of vitamins (e.g., thiamin, ribo-
flavin, niacin, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, pantothenic
acid, Vitamin C) and electrolytes (e.g., sodium, potas-
sium, phosphorus, etc.). While the addition of these
nutrients may add to the nutrient density of these
products, there is little evidence that ingestion of these
vitamins and minerals in the amounts found in ED and ES
would provide any ergogenic benefit during exercise per-
formance in well-nourished individuals [17,18]. Additio-
nally, ED and ES typically contain nutrients purported to
promote cognition and mental focus (e.g., Taurine, Ginkgo
biloba, L-Tyrosine, Citocoline, 5-Hydroxy-L-Tryptophan
[5-HTP], St. John’s Wort, etc.), stimulants (e.g., caffeine,
Guarana, Green Tea, Synephrine, Yerba mate, Yohimbine,
Tyramine, Vinpocetine, etc.), and/or various purported
ergogenic nutrients (e.g., Panax Ginseng, L-Carnitine,
D-Ribose, β-Alanine, Inositol, Citrulline, Quercetin, etc.).
While there are data to support the potential ergogenic
value of some of these nutrients on cognitive function
and/or exercise capacity [17,18]; the amounts found in ED
and ES are generally much lower than the typical concen-
trations associated with an ergogenic effect. Consequently,
it is unclear whether adding these nutrients to ED and/or
ES provides a synergistic or additive effect to the carbohy-
drate and caffeine found in these products. In addition,
adding these nutrients to the caffeine found in ED and/or
ES may change the adverse effect profile of these finished
products, and warrant further study.
Exercise performance
Several studies have investigated the effects of ED con-
sumption prior to exercise. The types of exercise that
were evaluated include resistance exercise [167,168], an-
aerobic exercise [169], and aerobic/endurance exercise
[62,170-172].
Ingestion prior to anaerobic exercise
Many of the studies investigating the effects of ED in-
gestion on anaerobic performance measures have been
conducted within the past several years. In a crossover
study (separated by seven days), Forbes and colleagues
[168] gave 15 physically active college-aged students a
commercially available energy drink standardized with
2 mg·kgBM
-1
of caffeine or an isoenergetic, isovolu-
metric, non-caffeinated placebo 60-minutes prior to
exercise. The exercise consisted of three sets of 70% one
repetition maximum (1RM) bench press conducted to fai-
lure on each set with one minute of rest between each set.
Following the resistance exercise bout, three x 30-second
Wingate Anaerobic Capacity tests were also conducted
with two minutes of rest between each test. The ED
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significantly increased total bench press repetitions over
three sets (approximately 6% more repetitions completed)
but had no effect on Wingate peak or average power.
In a similarly designed study, a commercially available
energy drink (providing an average of 2.1 mg of caffeine
per kg of body mass) given to physically active male and
female participants 45 minutes prior to exercise resulted
in a significant increase in leg press total lifting volume
(12% increase as compared to a carbohydrate placebo)
but had no effect on bench press total lifting volume
[167] or multiple 20-second Wingate-type cycle sprints
[173]. Hoffman and colleagues [169] gave male strength/
power athletes an ED containing an average of 1.8
mg·kgBM
-1
of caffeine or a placebo beverage that was
similar in taste and appearance but contained only inert
substances. Following the ingestion of the ED, three
separate 20-second Wingate tests separated by about 15
minutes were performed. Results revealed that there
were no significant differences between trials in any an-
aerobic power measure. In a recent publication, 12
healthy male and female non-resistance trained partici-
pants ingested a commercially available ED standardized
at either 1 or 3 mg·kgBM
-1
of caffeine or a placebo beve-
rage (containing no caffeine) in a randomized, repeated
measures design [65]. Sixty minutes following beverage
ingestion, each participant completed 10-to-100% 1RM
Table 3 Potential ergogenic nutrients contained in energy drinks that may affect cognition and/or mental performance
Ingredient Potential ergogenic value Scientific support
Taurine Improved mental focus, concentration, serve as antioxidant,
glucose homeostasis [21-24]
Some supportive evidence with ED and fed animals
[25-35]
Gingko Biloba Improve memory and mental concentration Some supportive evidence on memory (e.g., 120 mg/d)
[36-39]. No known effects at dosages found in ED or ES.
L-Tyrosine Prevents depletion of catecholamines, may ameliorate declines in
cognition with acute stress [40-47]
Some supportive evidence on cognition (e.g., 2 g/d,
150 mg acute ingestion with cold exposure)
[41,43,46,48,49]. No effects on performance capacity
[42,50]. No known effects at dosages found in ED or ES.
Citicoline Intermediate in the generation of phosphatidylcholine from choline.
Increase dopamine receptor densities and delay memory
impairment [51,52].
Some supportive evidence with large doses
(8.5 g prior to and during exercise) and in fed animals
[52]. No known effects at dosages found in ED or ES.
5-Hydroxy-L-
Trypotophan
(5-HTP)
Precursor to serotonin [53,54]. Purported antidepressant,
appetite suppressant, & sleep aid [53,55-58].
Some evidence in treatment of depression [53,55-58]
and 5-HT fed animals on muscle performance [54,59,60].
Role on exercise performance at dosages found in ED
and ES is unknown.
St. John’s Wort Anti-depressant [56-58]. Some supportive evidence [56-58]. No known effects at
dosages found in ED or ES.
Table 4 Potential stimulants contained in energy drinks that may affect performance capacity
Ingredient Potential ergogenic value Scientific support
Caffeine Stimulant. Increases metabolism and lipolysis [2,8,9,61]. Increases alertness, mood, cognitive function [2,8,9,61].
Increases fat oxidation, spares glycogen utilization,
improves exercise [7,9-11,62-65].
Guarana Natural source of caffeine. Similar properties to caffeine. Similar to caffeine effects.
Green Tea
Extract
Contains high amounts of caffeine and catechin polyphenols
(e.g., epigallocatechin gallate or EGCG). Serves as antioxidant.
Similar effects as caffeine [66,67]
Some supportive evidence of increased metabolism
[68-76]. Specific role at dosages found in ED is unknown.
Synephrine Alternative to ephedrine. Naturally derived from Citrus aurantium. Stimulant
with less cardiovascular effects than ephedrine.
Purported to increase metabolism and promote weight loss.
Evidence of a mild stimulant effect on metabolism and
weight loss [77-82]. No known effects at dosages found
in ED.
Yerba mate Contains three xanthines (caffeine, theobromine, and theophylline). Similar
properties to caffeine
Similar to caffeine effects. Some supportive evidence
[83-85] No known effects at dosages found in ED
and ES.
Yohimbine Alkaloid with stimulant and aphrodisiac properties [86-90]. Similar to caffeine effects. Effects at dosages found in ED
are unknown.
Tyramine Naturally-occurring monoamine derived from tyrosine. Acts as a
catecholamine (dopamine, NE, Epi) releasing agent. Degraded to octopine.
Increases blood pressure and can serve as neurotransmitter [91-93].
Mild cardiovascular stimulant. Effects at dosages found
in ED / ES are unknown.
Vinpocetine Alkaloid of vincamine extracted from periwinkle plant (Vinca) minor.
Vasodilatory and memory enhancing properties [94,95].
No known effects at dosages found in ED or ES.
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power-load tests for the bench press and half-squat. Inges-
tion of the ED with 1 mg·kgBM
-1
of caffeine was not
enough to raise the power output during the power-load
tests. However, the ingestion of an ED with 3 mg·kgBM
-1
of
caffeine increased maximal power output by 7% in both
the half-squat and bench-press as compared to the inges-
tion of a placebo [65]. A recent study by Gonzalez and
colleagues [174] indicated that an energy matrix consis-
ting of caffeine, taurine and glucoronolactone consumed
10-min prior to a workout resulted in an 11.9% improve-
ment (p < 0.05) in the number of repetitions performed
during 4 sets of the squat or bench press exercise using
80% of the subject’s 1-RM. In addition, the average power
output for the workout was significantly higher for sub-
jects consuming the energy drink compared to subjects
consuming the placebo.
In addition to resistance and high intensity anaerobic
exercise, the effects that ED exert on speed/agility perfor-
mance has also been investigated. Collegiate female soccer
players ingested an ED containing 1.3 mg·kgBM
-1
of caf-
feine and 1 gram of taurine or a caffeine and taurine-free
placebo 60 minutes prior to repeated agility t-tests [175].
No difference in agility t-test performance between the ED
and placebo groups was reported. Specifically, the highest
difference reported between the two groups was during
the third set of eight agility t-tests, and the difference
reached only 1.15% between the groups. It is unlikely that
the carbohydrate content alone in ED is responsible for
improvements in resistance exercise performance. In
support of this view, the majority of studies in which
supplemental carbohydrate was ingested prior to a
resistance-training bout did not report improvements
in resistance training performance [176-178].
Conclusion
ED (containing approximately 2 mg·kgBM
-1
caffeine) con-
sumed 45 to 60 minutes prior to anaerobic/resistance
exercise may improve upper- and lower- body total lifting
volume, but has no effect on repeated high intensity sprint
exercise, or on agility performance.
Ingestion prior to endurance exercise
Several studies have investigated the effects of ED inges-
tion prior to aerobic exercise [62,170-172,179]. In the
earliest of these studies, Alford and colleagues [172]
investigated the effects of ingesting a commercial ED on
aerobic endurance. In a repeated measures, crossover
design, young healthy participants ingested 250 mL of a
commercial ED (containing 80 mg of caffeine and 26
grams of carbohydrate), a carbonated water beverage, or
no beverage at all 30 minutes prior to performing an en-
durance exercise bout. Test days for separate treatments
were assessed within a week. Aerobic performance was
analyzed by the amount of time that exercise could be
maintained at 65-75% of maximum heart rate on a cycle
ergometer. Significant improvements in aerobic per-
formance were reported for the commercial ED treat-
ment. Aerobic performance was 8% and 14% longer after
ingesting the commercial ED as compared to the carbo-
nated water and no beverage treatment, respectively.
Table 5 Other potential ergogenic nutrients contained in energy drinks that may affect performance
Ingredient Potential ergogenic value Scientific support
Panax Ginseng Contains ginsenosides which are purported to have
anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer effects.
Purported to enhance perceptions of energy, increase
stamina and improve nitrogen balance [96].
Most well-controlled research does not support the ergogenic
effects for ginseng [97-111]. No known effects at dosages
found in ED and ES.
L-Carnitine Involved in shuttling long chain fatty acids into
mitochondria. Purported to promote lipolysis [112].
Limited supportive ergogenic value in athletes or on weight
loss [112]. No known effects at dosages found in ED and ES.
D-Ribose Involved in ATP synthesis. Theoretically,
D-ribose supplementation can increase ATP availability.
Some evidence of improved exercise capacity in clinical
populations [113] but limited evidence that high dose ribose
supplementation affects exercise capacity [114-119]. No
known effects at dosages found in ED and ES.
Beta Alanine Increases muscle carnosine levels, increases muscle
buffering, and attenuates fatigue during high intensity
exercise [120-124].
Growing scientific evidence of improved anaerobic capacity
(2-4 g/d) [125-138]. No known effects at dosages found in ED
and ES.
Inositol Carbohydrate that is not classified as sugar. Involved in
insulin signaling, nerve transmission, serotonin modulation,
and fat oxidation [139].
No known effects at dosages found in ED or ES.
Citrulline Malate Optimizes blood flow via arginine-nitric oxide pathway;
purported to reduce fatigue and buffer acidity during
exercise [140,141].
Some evidence that high dosages (e.g., 6 –8 g) can affect
exercise capacity and/or anabolism [142-149]. No known
effects at dosages found in ED and ES.
Quercetin Reported to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral,
and immune-modulatory effects [150].
Several studies indicate that Quercetin supplementation
(e.g., 1 g/d for 7 d) increases maximal aerobic capacity and
time to fatigue [151-166]. No known effects at dosages found
in ED or ES.
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Inoneofonlytwostudiesthathaveinvestigatedthe
effects of ingesting a sugar/carbohydrate-free ED on per-
formance capacity, Candow and colleagues [170] reported
no improvements in high intensity run time-to-exhaustion
performed at 80% of VO
2
max on a treadmill in physically
active college-aged participants. The sugar-free ED con-
tained 2 mg·kgBM
-1
caffeine and was ingested one-hour
prior to the exercise bout [170]. In contrast, Walsh and
colleagues [179] reported significant improvements in
treadmill run time to exhaustion following ingestion of a
carbohydrate-free ED. In this randomized cross-over inves-
tigation, 15 recreationally active participants ingested an
ED 10-minutes prior to engaging in a treadmill run-to
exhaustion test at 70% VO
2
max [179]. The ED utilized in
this study did not contain any carbohydrate, and unlike
other ED products, contained nearly eight grams of the
amino acids L-leucine, L-isoleucine, L-valine, L-arginine
and L-glutamine. Unfortunately, the published study did
not disclose the precise amount of caffeine contained in the
ED, but instead referred to a ~2 g “proprietary blend”of
caffeine, taurine, and glucoronolactone. The placebo used
as a comparison was sweetened water that was similar in
color and volume. It was reported that participants con-
sumingtheEDwereabletorun12.5%longerthanduring
the placebo treatment [179].
The two most common protocols used to assess
aerobic performance are time to exhaustion at a given
exercise intensity (e.g., exercise at 70% of maximum oxy-
gen uptake until exhaustion) and time trial performance
for a set distance (e.g., 40 km time trial). Time trials
have greater validity than time to exhaustion because
they provide a good physiological simulation of actual
performance and correlate with actual performance
[180,181]. Ivy and colleagues [62] were the first research
group to utilize a time trial component in conjunction
with ED consumption. In this investigation, trained male
and female cyclists completed two trials in a repeated
measures crossover design separated by one week. After
a 12 hour fast, the cyclists ingested a commercially avai-
lable ED providing approximately 2.3 mg·kgBM
-1
caffeine
or an artificially colored, flavored, and sweetened-water
placebo 40-minute prior to the exercise bout. Perfor-
mance during the exercise bout was measured as the
time to complete a standardized amount of work equal
to 1 hr of cycling at 70% of maximal power output.
Results revealed a significant difference between the
treatments in relation to performance with the ED treat-
ment completing the time trial ~4.7% faster than the
placebo treatment [62].
Conclusion
ED containing approximately 2 mg·kgBM
-1
caffeine con-
sumed 10 to 40 minutes prior to aerobic exercise im-
prove cycling and running performance in both trained
cyclists and recreationally active participants. In the one
investigation in which no aerobic performance improve-
ment was reported, the ED (containing 2 mg·kgBM
-1
caf-
feine) was ingested 60-minutes prior to the performance
assessment. In light of the other findings, ingestion of
the caffeine-containing ED 60-minutes prior to the exer-
cise bout may be too long of a period to realize improve-
ments in aerobic exercise performance.
Mood/reaction time/alertness
Reaction time, concentration, alertness, and subjective
feelings of energy/vitality are important in many com-
petitive activities such as hitting a baseball, returning a
serve in tennis, and dodging strikes and kicks in a mixed
martial arts competition. Strategies to improve these
attributes are often sought after by individuals compe-
ting in certain athletic endeavors. Over the past several
years, research has investigated the effects that ED
ingestion has on these (and other) variables.
Seidl and coworkers [31] conducted a study utilizing
three common ingredients (i.e., caffeine, taurine, glucu-
ronolactone) typically found in ED and compared it to a
placebo group. Participants were evaluated at night to
see if ingestion of these nutrients affected mood and
motor function in fatigued participants. Interestingly,
the investigators found that at the end of the experi-
ment, reaction time was significantly longer in the pla-
cebo group, but remained unchanged in the group that
consumed the ED ingredients. Similarly, vitality scores,
feelings of well-being, and social extrovertedness were
all significantly decreased in the placebo group, but did
not change in the ED group [31].
Scholey and colleagues [182] investigated the effects of
an ED (containing primarily caffeine, glucose, ginseng and
ginkgo biloba drink) or a placebo beverage on five aspects
of cognitive performance and mood. Thirty minutes after
consuming ED, two of the five variables (i.e., “secondary
memory”and “speed of attention”) were significantly
improved as compared to the placebo beverage [182].
Other investigators also reported that when caffeine was
combined with carbohydrates in a carbonated beverage,
performance and mood were improved and/or maintained
during fatiguing and cognitively demanding tasks relative
to placebo [183]. Similarly, ED containing caffeine and
glucose have also been shown to enhance event related
potentials (i.e., a measure of brain activity in real time
obtained from an electroencephalogram), which may
translate to improvements in reaction time [184].
Hoffman and colleagues [169] reported that when
male strength/power athletes consumed 120 ml of a
commercially available ED or a placebo, reaction time
and subjective feelings of energy and focus were signifi-
cantly improved in those consuming the ED. Further-
more, the investigators also noted a statistical trend
Campbell et al. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition 2013, 10:1 Page 7 of 16
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(p=0.06) towards an increase in alertness. In a similar
study, Walsh and colleagues [179] examined the effects
of ingesting an “energy matrix”(2.05 g of caffeine, tau-
rine, glucuronolactone), amino acids (7.9 g of L-leucine,
L-isoleucine, L-valine, L-arginine and L-glutamine), di-
creatine citrate (5 g), and β-alanine (2.5 g) mixed with
500 ml of water or a placebo) 10-minutes prior to exer-
cise on aerobic performance and subjective measures of
focus, energy, and fatigue in recreationally active male
and females. Results revealed that participants ingesting
the ED increased time to exhaustion while running at
70% of VO
2
max by 12.5% (p = 0.012), they reported
greater focus (p = 0.031), energy (p = 0.016), and less fa-
tigue (p = 0.005) prior to exercise; and, that their ratings
of focus (p = 0.026) and energy (p = 0.004) were greater
10 minutes into exercise [179]. However, no significant
differences in energy, fatigue, and focus were observed
between groups immediately post-exercise [179].
Howard and coworkers [185] evaluated the effects of
acute ingestion of a glucose containing ED on behavioral
control. In this study, 80 participants were randomly
assigned to consume 1.8, 3.6, or 5.4 ml/kg of an ED, a
placebo, or no drink in a counterbalanced manner. Parti-
cipants completed a behavioral control task and subjec-
tive measures of stimulation, sedation, and mental
fatigue before and 30-minutes after ingestion of the
assigned drinks. Results revealed that those consuming
the ED decreased reaction times on the behavioral con-
trol task, increased subjective ratings of stimulation and
decreased ratings of mental fatigue. The greatest
improvements in reaction times and subjective measures
were observed with the lower dose and improvements
diminished as the dose increased. Earlier research con-
ducted by Alford and associates [172] supported these
findings by demonstrating that individuals ingesting 250
ml of this same ED had significantly better reaction time,
concentration, memory, and subjective alertness com-
pared to a placebo. Smit and coworkers [183] suggested
that caffeine is most likely the primary ingredient that
improves mood and performance during fatiguing and
cognitively demanding tasks, with carbohydrates playing
a minor role. However, caffeine and carbohydrate may
act in a synergistic manner [182]. To support this view,
a recent paper by Pettitt et al [186] reported that while
ingestion of an ED prior to exercise affected aerobic me-
tabolism during and following cycling exercise, the sec-
ondary ingredients found in the ED had no additive
effects.
Conclusion
To date, most studies on ED have reported improve-
ments in mood, reaction time, and/or markers of alert-
ness, even though the relative importance of the various
ingredients is not fully understood. The primary ergogenic
valueappearstobeduetothecaffeine and/or carbohydrate
contained in these drinks. Individuals looking to enhance
reaction time, mental alertness, and/or focus may benefit
from consuming an ED prior to exercise.
Energy drinks and their role in energy
expenditure and weight loss
As shown in Table 4, ED and some commercial be-
verages designed to increase metabolism typically contain
a number of stimulants (e.g., caffeine, Guarana, Green Tea,
synephrine,Yerbamate,Yohimbine, Tyramine, Vinocetine,
etc.). Several low-calorie ED and beverages have been
marketed as “thermogenic blends”with a focus on increa-
sing metabolism. Theoretically, ingestion of ED prior to
exercise may increase energy expenditure which over time
could help manage and/or promote weight loss. In support
of this theory, studies have shown that ingestion of caffeine
(e.g., 200-500 mg) can increase acute (1-24 hours) energy
expenditure [187-193], chronic (28 days) energy expen-
diture [194], and elevate plasma free-fatty acid and glycerol
levels [187,194,195]. Collectively, these findings suggest that
the stimulant properties of caffeine contained in ED can
elevate an individual’s metabolic rate as well as elevate the
rate of lipolysis in the body. However, these studies used
various types of caffeine/stimulant/vitamin-enriched cof-
fee [189-193], a caffeine/stimulant blend supplement
[187,189,193], and various calorie-free thermogenic ED
[190,194-197]. Additionally, the dosage of caffeine used in
some of these beverages that are marketed as a thermo-
genic supplements is typically higher (e.g., 200-500 mg)
than the concentrations found in ED and ES marketed for
increasing athletic performance or alertness (i.e., about
80 –200 mg). With this said, there is some data that indi-
cates that acute ingestion of ED has been shown to en-
hance energy expenditure, metabolic rate, catecholamine
secretion, and/or lipolysis [187,198]
In terms of weight loss, Roberts and colleagues [194]
reported that 28 days of consumption of a calorie free
ED (336 ml/day) promoted small (i.e., 18.9 ± 1.5 to 18.3
± 1.5 kg) but statistically significant (p<0.05) reductions
in fat mass compared to controls (i.e., 18.1 ± 1.3 to 18.4
3± 1.2 kg). Similarly, Stout and associates [199] evaluated
the effects of consuming an ED or placebo 15-minutes
prior to exercise training and ad-libitum on non-training
days for 10-weeks on changes in body composition and
fitness. Results revealed that those consuming the ED
experienced greater changes in fat mass (-6.6% vs.
-0.35%, p<0.05), peak aerobic capacity (+13.8% vs. 5.4%,
p<0.01), and treadmill time to exhaustion (+19.7% vs.
14.0%, p<0.01). These findings suggest that consumption
of ED during training and/or weight loss may provide
some additive ergogenic benefits. However, it should be
noted that recent review on ED by Higgins and asso-
ciates [200] found that many of the commonly used
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additional ingredients (e.g., Ma Huang, willow bark,
synephrine, calcium, cayenne/black pepper extracts) that
are contained in the “thermogenic blends”of several of
these products are not contained in some of the most
commonly used ED. It is also important to note that
daily consumption of high calorie ED could promote
weight gain. Consequently, additional research is neces-
sary to determine whether ingesting low-calorie ED or
ES may affect training adaptations and/or weight loss.
Conclusion
Consumption of low calorie ED and thermogenic be-
verages have been reported to increase resting energy
expenditure and fat metabolism on an acute basis. Pre-
liminary studies suggest that ingesting some types of ED
and thermogenic beverages prior to exercise during
training could promote positive adaptations in body
composition. However, more research is needed to de-
termine whether daily use of ED would affect long-term
energy balance and body composition.
Safety considerations
ED have had a negative connotation in the media and
more recently medical community, mostly related to po-
tential concerns about excessive caffeine intake [201,202]
and/or potential deleterious effects of mixing ED with
alcohol [203]. While safety concerns and use of alcohol go
beyond the scope of this paper, the reader is referred to a
recent viewpoint published in the Journal of the American
Medical Association related to safety concerns of mixing
ED with alcohol [203]. In terms of use of ED in the tra-
ditional sense, most concerns have been based on case
studies or adverse event reports that have serve only to
document a potential association, but does not establish
causality. In reality, there are currently only a few studies
(acute or long term) that have investigated the side effects
of ED [204-209]. There appear to be two primary active
nutrients in most ED and ES (i.e., carbohydrate and caf-
feine) that may possess safety concerns in some popula-
tions. Many ED contain 25 –50 g of simple sugars,
therefore, ingestion of ED prior to exercise are likely to
rapidly increase insulin in order to maintain normal blood
glucose levels. For this reason, diabetics and pre-diabetics
should avoid high glycemic load ED or consider consu-
ming low carbohydrate versions of ED [201,202].
Very often, ED also contain various stimulants with
the most common being caffeine. Some concern has
been raised about excessive caffeine intake that could be
obtained from consuming too many ED and/or from a
lack of knowledge that that some ingredients contained
in ED may contain caffeine [201,202]. Currently in the
United States, the FDA has regulated the limit of caf-
feine in soft drinks to 0.02 percent (10mg/oz.) of the
product, but this is not currently enforced for ED or ES.
As of December 2012, the US-FDA along with the US
Congress has begun to study products marketed as ED
or ES, however no formal new guidelines have been pub-
lished. The Nutrition Facts Panel on food labels are not
required to always list caffeine since it is not a nutrient.
However, if caffeine is added to a food, it must then be
listed [210]; therefore many individuals may consume
more caffeine than they realize [201,202]. In Canada,
caffeine levels are limited to 180 mg per drink [211].
The caffeine content of common ED and ES has been
reported to range from about 100 to 286 mg [202]. As a
comparison, the average cup of coffee or contains be-
tween 40 and 150 mg caffeine, while a 20 oz. cup of
Starbucks regular drip coffee has been found to contain
as much as 480 mg of caffeine [212].
The potential side effects of caffeine include: insomnia,
nervousness, restlessness, gastric irritation, nausea, vomi-
ting, tachycardia, tremors, and anxiety; which have been
reported at doses as low as 250 to 300 mg [5,201-204,209].
Caffeine availability is ubiquitous and it is one of the most
extensively studied substances in the food supply with a
long history as generally regarded as safe when consumed
in moderation [61]. However, all substances may be toxic
under the right conditions, with toxicity being a function of
the interaction of many physiologic variables that include
the following: acute and chronic dosing, route of adminis-
tration, genetics, age, sex, environment, and intrinsic health
of the individual being exposed. Young adults have been
found to have subclinical coronary atherosclerosis [213]. In
addition, post-mortem assessment of sudden cardiac death
in young persons (<35 years) reveals a variety of anatomic
abnormalities of the coronary arteries, myocardium, valves
and the conduction system [214]. Such unknown pre-
existing risk factors may increase the risk of adverse events,
particularly cardiovascular ones, in individuals consuming
EDs, due to underlying disease. In fact, even water can be
toxic given certain conditions with an LD
50
(lethal acute
dose for 50 percent in test species) of greater than 90 mL/
kg in rats [215]. It is possible to overdose on caffeine and
there are a handful of case reports in the literature
[5,209,216-218]. A lethal dose of caffeine has been typically
in excess of 5 g [217], which equates to about 42 cups of
coffee at 120 mg of caffeine per cup. Sepkowitz [201] re-
cently suggested that an intake of 3 grams of caffeine
(equivalent to ingesting 12 or so highly caffeinated ED
within a few hours) could elicit significant adverse effects.
TheaveragecaffeineperservinginmostEDandESrange
between 75 and 200 mg, an amount similar to the caffeine
found in a premium cup of coffee [202].
Nawrot and colleagues [219] stated that in a healthy adult
population, up to 400 mg of caffeine daily was not asso-
ciated with any adverse effects. In another review, Higdon
et al. [220] presented data in children stating no adverse
effects were seen with doses under 3 mg·kgBM
-1
·day
-1
.As
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with most drugs, the exact amount of caffeine where side
effects will occur varies from person to person based on
genetics, age, liver cytochrome P450-CYP1A2 isozyme
function, concurrent medications or substances that may
affect hepatic metabolism, body mass, and sensitivity.
Additionally, it is unknown whether inclusion of other
stimulants in ED and/or ES may increase or decrease the
threshold for experiencing side effects. For this reason,
some groups do not recommend ED or ES for athletes
participating in exercise lasting less than 1 hour [200],
despite the admission of inadequate long-term data. The
longest duration studies on ED or ES we were able to find
was 10 weeks and these studies did not report any change
in clinical safety markers [199,206]. Nevertheless, since ED
and ES often contain other stimulants that can have a
synergistic effect with caffeine, more research is needed to
determine the long-term effects of habitual intake of ED
and ES before definitive conclusions can be drawn.
Several reports have expressed concern about the
safety of ED [5,200,205,221]. For example, Worthley and
associates [222] tested 50 young male and female adults
one hour before and one hour after consuming 250 ml
of a sugar-free ED containing approximately 80 mg of
caffeine. The investigators found that mean arterial pres-
sure increased by approximately 3.8 mmHg while resting
heart rate was not affected. Additionally, platelet aggre-
gation increased by 13.7% compared to only a 0.3%
change in the control group while endothelial function
decreased. The researchers noted that the component of
the ED that was associated with these results was not
clear. However, they suggested that since endothelial
dysfunction and impaired platelet function are associated
with elevated glucose levels, it is possible that glucuro-
nolactone contained in the ED might have contributed
to the observed detrimental effects of energy drinks
[222]. More research is needed to corroborate these
findings as well as to determine whether these acute
changes would pose any long-term health risk.
Bichler and cohorts [26] investigated a combination of
caffeine and taurine (two common ingredients in ED) in
a double-blind study of college students. Subjects con-
sumed either caffeine and taurine pills or a placebo and
then completed a memory assessment while heart rate
and blood pressure were monitored. The combination
caused a significant decline in heart rate and an increase
in mean arterial blood pressure. Steinke et al. [223] stu-
died 15 healthy adults who abstained from caffeine for
48 hours prior to and during the study in addition to
being fasted overnight. Baseline measurements of blood
pressure and heart rate were measured. On day one of
the study, each participant consumed 500 mL (2 cans) of
an ED and measurements were repeated 30 minutes,
1 hour, 2 hours, 3 hours, and 4 hours later. Participants
also drank 500 mL of the ED drink daily for the next 5
days. The experiment was then repeated after 7-days.
The investigators found that maximum mean heart rate
occurred at 4 hours with significant increases of 7.8%
and 11.0% on days 1 and 7, respectively. Blood pressures
were increased approximately 7% after acute ingestion of
the ED on day 1 (significant increase) but no differences
were seen on day 7. Finally, in a case report, Usman and
coworkers [221] reported that a young boy presented
with palpitations and high blood pressure after con-
sumption of an ED containing carbohydrate (40 g), so-
dium citrate, taurine (124 mg), caffeine, inositol (17 mg),
Panax ginseng (6.98 mg), and other nutrients. The
tachycardia and hypertension returned to normal after
discontinuation of ED consumption.
Conclusion
Individuals with certain medical conditions (e.g., meta-
bolic syndrome or diabetes mellitus) should avoid con-
sumption of high glycemic drinks and/or foods and
therefore should not consume the high calorie versions
of ED. It would be prudent for individuals with known
cardiovascular disease to avoid altogether their use of
ED and/or ES, or other products with known cardio-
stimulant effects. While ED containing caffeine and other
stimulants may have negative effects upon health and
cardiac parameters in individuals with such pre-existing
health conditions, the current evidence (although small)
suggests that consumption of ED and ES are safe in
healthy populations and similar to ingesting other foods
and beverages containing caffeine. Finally, although it is
estimated that only 1% of all dietary supplement adverse
events are reported to FDA [224], given the number of
servings of these products that are consumed daily, the
rate of adverse events appears low in the population of
consumers. Nevertheless, it is acknowledged that addi-
tional short- and long-term studies are needed to better
determine any factors that increase the risk for adverse
events. Additionally, since ED often contain several nutri-
ents that contain caffeine and/or other stimulants, care
should be taken to make sure that an excessive number of
ED are not consumed within a short period of time.
Conclusions and recommendations
Based on a review of the available scientific and medical
literature related to the safety and efficacy of the use of
ED or ES, the Research Committee of the Society makes
the following conclusions and recommendations.
1. Although ED and ES contain a number of nutrients
that are purported to affect mental and/or physical
performance, the primary ergogenic nutrients in most
ED and ES appear to be carbohydrate and/or caffeine.
2. The ergogenic value of caffeine on mental and
physical performance has been well-established but
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the potential additive benefits of other nutrients
contained in ED and ES remains to be determined.
3. Consuming ED 10-60 minutes before exercise can
improve mental focus, alertness, anaerobic
performance, and/or endurance performance.
4. Many ED and ES contain numerous ingredients;
these products in particular merit further study to
demonstrate their safety and potential effects on
physical and mental performance.
5. There is some limited evidence that consumption of
low-calorie ED during training and/or weight loss
trials may provide ergogenic benefit and/or promote
a small amount of additional fat loss. However,
ingestion of higher calorie ED may promote weight
gain if the energy intake from consumption of ED is
not carefully considered as part of the total daily
energy intake.
6. Athletes should consider the impact of ingesting high
glycemic load carbohydrates on metabolic health,
blood glucose and insulin levels, as well as the effects
of caffeine and other stimulants on motor skill
performance.
7. Children and adolescents should only consider use of
ED or ES with parental approval after consideration
of the amount of carbohydrate, caffeine, and other
nutrients contained in the ED or ES and a thorough
understanding of the potential side effects.
8. Indiscriminant use of ED or ES, especially if more
than one serving per day is consumed, may lead to
adverse events and harmful side effects.
9. Diabetics and individuals with pre-existing
cardiovascular, metabolic, hepatorenal, and
neurologic disease who are taking medications that
may be affected by high glycemic load foods, caffeine,
and/or other stimulants should avoid use of ED
and/or ES unless approved by their physician.
Competing interests
BC has received university and private sector funded grants to conduct
research on several dietary supplements and has received compensation for
speaking at conferences and writing lay articles/books about dietary
supplements. PLB has received compensation for contributing to edited
books in relation to sports nutrition. CW has received academic and industry
funding related to dietary supplements and honoraria from speaking
engagements on the topic. LT has received academic and industry funding
related to dietary supplements and honoraria for speaking at conferences.
MTN declares no competing interests. MG has received academic and
industry funding related to dietary supplementation but declares no
competing interests regarding the contents of this manuscript. TNZ has
received funding from the dietary supplement industry to conduct clinical
research through The Center for Applied Health Sciences, has consulted for
several dietary supplement companies, and currently serves as a scientific
advisor to Biotest Laboratories. HLL has received funding from industry to
conduct clinical research through The Center for Applied Health Sciences,
has consulted for multiple dietary supplement and medical food companies,
and currently serves as scientific and medical advisor to Nordic Naturals, Inc.
JRS serves as a science advisor for Abbott Nutrition. SS has not competing
interest to declare. RC has no competing interests to declare. DSK works for
a Contract Research Organization that receives funding for clinical trials from
the pharmaceutical and nutritional industries, serves as a Nutrition
Consultant currently to the United States Tennis Association (USTA),
Boca Raton, Florida, and serves as the also as the Florida International
University, Department of Athletics, Sports Nutritionist. JA is a Sports Science
Advisor to VPX/Redline in Weston FL. RBK has received external funding
from industry through the institutions he has been affiliated with to conduct
exercise and nutrition research, has served as a legal expert on exercise and
nutrition related cases, and currently serves as a scientific advisor for
Woodbolt International.
Authors’contributions
RBK prepared and delivered the presentation on energy drinks at the 2011
International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN) National meeting. BC, CW, LT,
MTN, and MG developed the presentation into a draft of a position stand for
review and editing by RBK. The final draft was then reviewed and edited by
TZ, HL, JRH, JRS, SS, RC, DSK and JA. RBK incorporated recommendations
into a final draft which was then reviewed, approved, and adopted as the
official position of the ISSN by the Research Committee. All authors read
and approved the final manuscript.
Author details
1
Exercise and Performance Nutrition Laboratory, Dept. of Physical Education
and Exercise Science, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Avenue, PED
214, Tampa, FL 33620, USA.
2
Human Performance Laboratory, University of
Mary Hardin-Baylor, Belton, TX 76513, USA.
3
Department of Health, Human
Performance, and Recreation, Baylor University, Box 97313, Waco, TX 76798,
USA.
4
Department of Health and Human Performance, University of St.
Thomas, St. Paul, MN 55105, USA.
5
Exercise & Sport Nutrition Lab,
Department of Health & Kinesiology, Texas A&M University, College Station,
Texas, TX 77843-4243, USA.
6
The Center for Applied Health Sciences, Stow,
OH 44224, USA.
7
Institute of Exercise Physiology and Wellness, Department
of Sport and Exercise Science, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL
32816, USA.
8
Medical Surveillance and Risk Management, Shire HGT, 300
Shire Way, Lexington, MA 02421, USA.
9
Collins, McDonald & Gann, PC,
Mineola, NY, USA.
10
Miami Research Associates, Endocrinology & Nutrition
Department, 6141 Sunset Drive - Suite 301, Miami, FL 33143, USA.
11
Farquhar
College of Arts and Sciences, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale,
FL, USA.
Received: 28 December 2012 Accepted: 31 December 2012
Published: 3 January 2013
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doi:10.1186/1550-2783-10-1
Cite this article as: Campbell et al.:International Society of Sports
Nutrition position stand: energy drinks. Journal of the International Society
of Sports Nutrition 2013 10:1.
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