Caffeine

What are the positives and negatives of consuming caffeine?

What are the positives and negatives of consuming caffeine?

By Donna Eastlake

Many of us start our day with a piping hot cup of tea or coffee. In fact, it’s sometimes the very first thought we have before we’ve even opened our eyes. But what are the advantages and disadvantages of consuming caffeine and how much is too much?

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CBD coffee: fad or the future?

By Olivia Brown

Following an increasing popularity and a heightened influx of brands promoting the CBD and coffee pairing, touting an ability to reduce side effects associated with caffeine, a regulatory expert has warned the research backing the benefits is inconclusive.

Image: iStock/lowkick

Energy drink ban ‘makes no sense’

By Oliver Morrison

Plans in the UK to ban the sale of energy drinks to teenagers are “unscientific” and “discriminatory” according to a think-tank.

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Jamie Oliver leads calls to ban energy drink sales to U16s

By Rachel Arthur

Celebrity chef and health campaigner Jamie Oliver is calling on the UK government to ban sales of energy drinks to U16s. Meanwhile, supermarket Waitrose has announced that customers buying high caffeine energy drinks must prove they are over 16 years...

'Rather than throwing the baby out with the bathwater we just need to look at it and find a way of making sure the vulnerable consumer is protected,' says GSK. ©iStock/EldadCarin

Dispatches from the #SNC16 congress in Frankfurt

Could energy drinks be cut out of the EU caffeine claim loop?

By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The European Specialist Sports Nutrition Alliance (ESSNA) is lobbying for two different solutions to the EU caffeine claim hold up, one of which could see use of the claims limited to sports supplements only.  

We will not let our children and youngsters be misguided about the food and drinks they consume, says MEP behind the motion. © iStock.com

strasbourg plenary vote

MEPs block 4 caffeine claims

By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have voted to veto four caffeine health claims following a lively debate on energy drinks in a Strasbourg plenary today. 

The global energy drink sector is set for robust growth but could regulations and health concerns chill expansion? ©iStock

Sector to grow 40% by 2020

The world’s unquenchable thirst for energy drinks

By Shane STARLING

Global sales of energy drinks hit €38.2 billion last year and will be worth €53.4bn in 2020 according to Euromonitor International, even as regulatory winds blow ill beneath the sector's wings. 

'In Saudi Arabia they have huge restrictions on energy drinks – in summary, you can do nothing – you can’t do tastings, advertising, sponsorship, nothing,' says one brand in the region. © iStock.com / lowkick

Saudi Arabia smacks energy drinks with new fines

By Eliot Beer

Saudi Arabia has announced further restrictions on energy drinks, with fines to be levied against outlets serving the beverages, but the impact will be minimal, according to Euromonitor.

Consumer groups have called for a pan-EU ban on energy sales to under 18s following bans in Lithuania and Latvia. © iStock.com / mearman

What if... the EU banned energy drink sales to under 18s

By David Burrows

An EU-wide ban on selling energy drinks to under 18s would see volume sales fall by over 70 million litres, if the impact of similar legislation in Lithuania is anything to go by. The low-priced end of the market would be hit hardest, with standard and...

A man was admitted to hospital because of thirst, sweating and nausea after drinking four cans of the energy drink Burn

The curious case of energy drinks & hypokalemia

By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The medical case study of a man rushed to intensive care with severe potassium deficiency has brought the issue of energy drinks and hypokalemia back into the spotlight.

Single doses of caffeine up to 200mg do not raise safety concerns for adults, also when consumed less than two hours before intense exercise, says EFSA

EFSA: 400mg of caffeine a day is safe

By Annie Harrison-Dunn

400mg of caffeine a day from all sources is not a safety concern, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has said in a long-awaited caffeine risk assessment. 

Commission puts EFSA opinion to one side as it rejects five glucose claims due to public health concerns

Sugar low: “The use of such a health claim would convey a conflicting and confusing message..."

Glucose health claims: EFSA says yes; EC says no (and closes door)

By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Five glucose health claims approved by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) back in 2012 have been officially banned by the European Commission due to concerns over what they would say to consumers about sugar consumption.

Euromonitor:

Analyst predicts more European bans could follow

Lithuania bans energy drink sales to under 18s

By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Lithuania has banned energy drink sales to under 18s - making the Baltic state the first European country to do so.

Harvard study suggests we seek maximum caffeine bang from coffee buck

STUDY COULD HELP IDENTIFY WHO SHOULD DRINK MORE OR LESS

Harvard study suggests we seek maximum caffeine bang from coffee buck

By Ben BOUCKLEY

A high-profile US meta study suggests people naturally tailor their coffee intake to experience caffeine’s optimal effects, while genetic factors linked to higher consumption likely increase coffee metabolism.

Waste date beans- from eco coffee alternative to beyond

By Annie Harrison-Dunn

An Israeli company that has released a range of coffee alternatives made from roasted date kernel, says the waste material has potential as a sustainable food and drink ingredient stretching far beyond this initial creation.

Euromonitor analyst looks at what the future of the energy supplement market looks like beyond caffeine

Beyond caffeine: Alternative energy boosters

By Annie-Rose Harrison-Dunn

As consumer perceptions of caffeine shift and the threat of more market regulation looms, companies are scrambling to find the next blockbuster to cater to demand for energy-boosting products, says an analyst.

French safety agency ANSES warns of energy drinks exercise risk

WIDE-RANGING NATIONAL REPORT WARNS 'VULNERABLE' GROUPS including children

French safety agency ANSES warns of energy drinks exercise risk

By Ben BOUCKLEY

French food safety agency ANSES recommends that the nation stop drinking energy drinks together with alcohol and during physical exercise due to the risk of adverse effects from caffeine.

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