Know the difference between the facts and myths about energy drinks. We're here to clear up some of the most common misconceptions.
The vast majority of energy drinks consumed in the United States – including Monster, Red Bull, Rockstar, AMP, Full Throttle and NOS – have similar or lower levels of caffeine than home-brewed coffee which many Americans enjoy on a daily basis. And many contain about half the caffeine of a similarly-sized coffeehouse coffee. A 16 fluid ounce energy drink typically contains 160 milligrams of caffeine, while the same size coffeehouse coffee contains around 300 to 330 milligrams. Moreover, caffeine has been safely consumed around the world for hundreds of years.
Myth! A report on caffeine consumption among the U.S. population commissioned by FDA, which was completed in 2009 and then updated in 2010, indicated that teens and young adults ages 14 to 21 years consume, on average, approximately one-third (or about 100 millagrams a day) the amount of caffeine as people over 21 (about 300 milligrams per day) and that most of their caffeine consumption is from beverages other than energy drinks (Somogyi 2010). Importantly, the 2010 report also showed that the average amount of caffeine consumed by all groups of the U.S. population has remained constant or decreased since energy drinks entered the market.
Myth! Energy drinks have been enjoyed safely by millions of people around the world for more than 25 years, and in the United States for more than 15 years.
Myth! Energy drinks and energy shots are not the same. Mainstream energy drinks produced and distributed by ABA member companies are marketed as conventional beverages and therefore regulated as such. They are also available in package sizes comparable to those of other non-alcoholic beverages. Energy shots are generally marketed as dietary supplements and are sold in package sizes where the volume is generally about 2 fl. oz. Most well-known brands also generally contain a much higher concentration of caffeine per fluid ounce (approximately 100 mg/fl. oz.) than energy drinks (approximately 10 mg/fl. oz.).