title: Energy drinks: review of performance benefits, health concerns, and use by military personnel.
abstract: Energy drinks (EDs) are highly caffeinated beverages usually containing herbal ingredients promoted and consumed for purported improvements in attention and athletic performance. The popularity of EDs among adolescents and young adults has steadily increased for more than a decade. Reports suggest U.S. military populations consume EDs with greater frequency as compared to age-matched civilian populations. This article reviews the literature and outlines the current body of evidence evaluating the human performance benefits and potential harms associated with ED use.
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine and Biometrics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD 20814.
authors.forename: Lucas A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.affiliation: U.S.S. Anchorage (LPD 23), FPO, AP 96660.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Foster
authors.affiliation: Navy Environmental and Preventive Medicine Unit FIVE, 3225 Albacore Alley, San Diego, CA 92136.
authors.forename: Jackie C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: McDowell
mesh_terms: D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D061215:Energy Drinks / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*