Law and Wellness: Keeping alert without the buzz

 

Martin A. Dolan – Principal Litigator

Many overworked lawyers depend on energy drinks to get through long and tiring days at work. But lawyers should be cautious about these drinks and relying on them too heavily. Energy drinks have recently come under renewed focus after the advertised benefits were called into question and reports that the deaths of a number of young people were purported to be linked with the drinks. But how effective are these drinks for a busy professional? And will they leave you suffering from a large crash?

Energy drinks have been marketed on the basis that they will provide you with the energy to continue working or studying when your brain begins to naturally tire. The website of one of the energy drink producers claims that their product increases performance, increases concentration and reaction speed, improves vigilance, stimulates your metabolism and improves your overall well-being by giving you a more energetic feel. The overall result being that you will be able to complete a task that you would not otherwise have been able to if you did not take the drink. The products are sold in both very large and very small brightly designed containers with edgy slogans and youthful advertising campaigns. The advertising campaigns of these companies often center around youth-oriented activities such as extreme sports or music. The extolled benefits of these beverages allows the producers to charge a premium compared to a soda. But is there a better product when we need to push ourselves?

Numerous studies have been carried out, many funded by the drink companies themselves, into the ingredients of these products and their overall affects. It is unclear from these studies whether the perceived benefits of these drinks are attributable to components other than caffeine or if they are brought about by the manufacturer’s special blend of ingredients. A standard 235-milliliter energy drink provides between 40 and 250 milligrams of caffeine. Other ingredients commonly found in energy drinks are taurine, guarana, ginseng and B vitamins.

Let’s take the additive taurine, which is used in most of the energy drinks, as an example of an energy drink ingredient. Taurine is an amino acid that supports neurological development and helps regulate the level of water and mineral salts in the blood. Red Bull’s manufacturers point to a European Food Safety Authority report where taurine was found to be completely safe. However, Red Bull fails to discuss a report also carried out by the same group which concludes that any benefits of taurine in energy drinks lacks scientific support. The European Commission refused to approve claims that taurine helps maintain mental function, a healthy heart or reduced muscle fatigue. A recent study found that taurine when taken alone may reduce the likelihood of heart attacks in women with high cholesterol. The study also found that most people get their necessary intake of taurine from meat. Energy drink producers have responded by stating that they do not make claims for their individual ingredients but for their products as a whole. Overall, there seems to be a lack of evidence to substantiate claims that anything other than caffeine contributes to greater physical or cognitive performance.

Consumers may also notice that the drink manufacturers add a plethora of well-known nutrients to these drinks to make them more appealing. One of the well-known energy drinks contains 8,333 percent of your recommended Vitamin B12 daily allowance. Again, B vitamins are found in many food sources and the benefits of ingesting such a large quantity are not readily apparent.

The issue of the crash that is felt after taking such a drink has recently been making the headlines due to a claim made by 5-Hour Energy and their “No Crash Later” claim. A study established that 24 percent of test participants suffered a “moderately severe crash” which left them in need of another drink or a rest. A spokesperson for the drink stated in 2007 that the claim relates to the fact that there is no sugar in the drink so you will not suffer from a “sugar crash.” The drink still carries the “no crash” claim.

The evidence would suggest that if you need a short, sharp pick-me-up, then an energy drink may be the solution. However, if you are facing a prolonged period of exhaustion, then you may need something more sustainable. Thankfully, there are alternatives to the roller coaster-effect energy drinks.

•Instead of drinking coffee energy drinks, drink a cup of coffee. Coffee gives the obvious caffeine boost and can lower your risk of depression, diabetes and Parkinson’s disease. Certain light-roast blends of coffee can also contain antioxidants.

•Michael Breus, a sleep expert from Virginia Beach, Va., recommends that before heading into a long night, you quickly drink a a cup of lukewarm coffee and close your eyes for 15 to 20 minutes. He advises that this will decrease your sleep drive and the caffeine will kick in to keep you awake once you get moving again. Breus also recommends protein snacks as another product to help you stay alert.

•Drinking eight cups of water a day will help your body stay hydrated. A dehydrated body can lead to feelings of fatigue.

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