Frequently asked questions on Caffeine and Foods Containing Caffeine, including Energy Drinks
BfR FAQ, 23 July 2015
Foods containing caffeine have been consumed by humans for hundreds of years due to their stimulating effect on the cardiovascular and central nervous system. Energy drinks or energy shots are drinks which often contain high concentrations of caffeine. They are frequently advertised as having the ability to enhance the mental alertness and physical performance. The occurrence of possible adverse health effects such as nervousness or cardiac arrhythmias due to the consumption of products containing caffeine depends on individual sensitivity to caffeine and the extent of consumption of foods of this kind.
The BfR already pointed out possible negative health effects of the excessive consumption of energy shots and energy drinks back in 2008 and 2009. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published a scientific opinion on the safety of caffeine in 2015. Due to current inquiries to the BfR, questions are answered below which were put to the Institute in connection with foods containing caffeine, in particular energy drinks.
Detailed informations on caffeine and energy drinks are available on the BfR website: http://www.bfr.bund.de/en/a-z_index/caffeine-129927.html, http://www.bfr.bund.de/en/a-z_index/energy_drinks-130012.html.
The scientific opinion of the EFSA on the safety of caffeine can be found under: http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/doc/4102.pdf.