Effects of energy drink ingestion on alcohol intoxication.
BACKGROUND
Well-known reports suggest that the use of energy drinks might reduce the intensity of the depressant effects of alcohol. However, there is little scientific evidence to support this hypothesis.


OBJECTIVE
The present study aimed at evaluating the effects of the simultaneous ingestion of an alcohol (vodka(37.5%v/v)) and an energy drink (Red Bull-3.57 mL/kg), compared with those presented after the ingestion of an alcohol or an energy drink alone. Twenty-six young healthy volunteers were randomly assigned to 2 groups that received 0.6 or 1.0 g/kg alcohol, respectively. They all completed 3 experimental sessions in random order, 7 days apart: alcohol alone, energy drink alone, or alcohol plus energy drink. We evaluated the volunteers' breath alcohol concentration, subjective sensations of intoxication, objective effects on their motor coordination, and visual reaction time.


RESULTS
When compared with the ingestion of alcohol alone, the ingestion of alcohol plus energy drink significantly reduced subjects' perception of headache, weakness, dry mouth, and impairment of motor coordination. However, the ingestion of the energy drink did not significantly reduce the deficits caused by alcohol on objective motor coordination and visual reaction time. The ingestion of the energy drink did not alter the breath alcohol concentration in either group.


CONCLUSIONS
Even though the subjective perceptions of some symptoms of alcohol intoxication were less intense after the combined ingestion of the alcohol plus energy drink, these effects were not detected in objective measures of motor coordination and visual reaction time, as well as on the breath alcohol concentration.
Department of Psychobiology, Federal University of Sao Paulo (UNIFESP), the FAPESP fellowship, São Paulo-SP, Brasil.
Sionaldo Eduardo
SE
Ferreira
Marco Túlio
MT
de Mello
Sabine
S
Pompéia
Maria Lucia Oliveira
ML
de Souza-Formigoni
D000328:Adult; D000435:Alcoholic Intoxication / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001628:Beverages; D001944:Breath Tests; D002110:Caffeine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002149:Energy Intake; D000431:Ethanol / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000187:drug effects; D010465:Perception; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000187:drug effects; D013654:Taurine / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D013654:Taurine; D002110:Caffeine; D000431:Ethanol