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The Dangers of Mixing Alcohol with Energy Drinks
Friday, August 21, 2009

With reference to recent emails circulating about the dangers of mixing alcohol with energy drinks, and also to requests for such information by concerned members of the general public, Agenzija Sedqa is issuing the following information about energy drinks, their repercussions on one's health and the risks posed when mixed with alcohol.

Due to their high caffeine content, caffeine-based energy drinks are known to raise blood pressure and cause palpitations, insomnia, irritability and headache, but there is no clear evidence that they can cause serious harm. It is feared these energy drinks may have been implicated in a small number of deaths, but no direct cause-effect relationship has been established.

Moreover there are concerns that not enough is known about the long-term effects of some of the ingredients, particularly taurine, that are present in some of these caffeine-based energy drinks There have been attempts to curb or prohibit the sale of a particular caffeine-based energy drink in various European countries. The EU does not allow prohibition of substances unless there is positive scientific proof that they are harmful.

These energy-based caffeine drinks (with or with or without taurine) are often mixed with alcohol, particularly vodka. The concurrent effects of a stimulant (caffeine) and a depressant (alcohol) on the body are certainly harmful – the effect has been likened to a car whose brake and accelerator are pressed at the same time. Irregular heart-beats are one effect of the ingestion of this mixture. Moreover, larger amounts of alcohol could be consumed, raising the blood alcohol levels above the limits permissible for driving. Thirdly, the ingestion of these energy-drinks and alcohol could mask the effects of the latter and create the illusion that drinkers are none the worse for wear, when they would be.

Young people under 17; pregnant women; persons with heart problems; persons suffering from high-blood pressure; persons wishing to re-hydrate during or after physical exertion or sporting activity; and persons who are taking prescribed or over-the-counter medication, should not drink caffeine-based energy drinks as they would be putting themselves at serious risk.

Moreover, mixing caffeine-based energy drinks with vodka or other forms of alcohol is potentially dangerous and should be avoided altogether.

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