title: A comprehensive review of the effects of mixing caffeinated energy drinks with alcohol.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In response to concern about whether mixing caffeinated energy drinks with alcohol (AED) increases alcohol consumption and related harm, and the role of industry in this debate, we conducted a comprehensive review of the research evidence on the effects of AED and documented industry involvement in this research.
  
  
  METHODS
  A systematic review of 6 databases. Studies must have examined the effect of consuming alcohol with energy drinks (ED) or caffeine on alcohol-related outcomes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  62 studies were identified; 29 were experiments, 9 had industry ties (8 with Red Bull GmbH). Young adults who consumed AED drank more alcohol and experienced more alcohol-related harm than other drinkers. There was insufficient evidence to conclude that AED led to increased alcohol consumption or altered the nature of alcohol-related harm. However, AED consumers reported that AED increased stimulation and alertness, offset fatigue from drinking, and facilitated drinking. Experimental research also found that combining ED or caffeine with alcohol increased stimulation and alertness, offset alcohol-related fatigue and increased the desire to keep drinking. It did not change BAC, perceived intoxication, perceived impairment and it did not reverse alcohol-induced impairment on simple psychomotor tasks. Combining ED/caffeine with alcohol reduced alcohol-induced impairment on some but not all aspects of complex tasks. Although few in number, studies with industry ties presented contrary evidence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A growing body of evidence suggests that AED may facilitate drinking and related harms via its effects on intoxication but a causal link needs to be confirmed. The influence of industry involvement in this area of research needs to be monitored.
authors: Centre for Research on Ageing, Health and Well-being, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia; National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. Electronic address: rebecca.mcketin@anu.edu.au.
authors: Rebecca
authors: R
authors: McKetin
authors: Centre for Research on Ageing, Health and Well-being, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia; School of Psychology, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia.
authors: Alice
authors: A
authors: Coen
authors: National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
authors: Sharlene
authors: S
authors: Kaye
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology; D000434:Alcoholic Beverages / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000435:Alcoholic Intoxication / Q000523:psychology; D001288:Attention / Q000187:drug effects; D002110:Caffeine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004347:Drug Interactions; D061215:Energy Drinks / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D009042:Motivation / Q000187:drug effects; D010465:Perception / Q000187:drug effects; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D002110:Caffeine
keywords: Alcohol; Caffeine; Energy drinks; Substance abuse