New research suggests that consumption of highly caffeinated energy drinks is associated with risks of heavy drinking and alcohol dependence. The study is published by Dr. Amelia M. Arria, PhD, (director of the Center on Young Adult Health and Development at the University of Maryland School of Public Health,) in the 2010 November issue of Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research.
To read an article with more details from the study click here.
The research showed that users who drank energy drinks frequently were more likely to drink alcohol more frequently and in higher quantities than youth who didn't consume energy drinks regularly.
They also found that high-frequency energy drink users were at a significantly greater risk for alcohol dependence compared with nonusers.
Dr. Arria state that "Energy drinks could make alcohol more reinforcing, so that you drink more, and then you have more problems, and then you have more craving for alcohol."
"It's important for clinicians to recognize that energy drinks are now part of a mix of substances that are routinely consumed by adolescent and young adult populations, so they should have a greater awareness and vigilance that these drinks may be contributing to some symptoms, such as palpitations and anxiety, that they may be seeing in this age group."
