According to researchers at Johns Hopkins University, the labels of popular energy drinks, such as Red Bull and Rockstar, should contain warnings about the amount of caffeine they contain and the potentially harmful side effects they could cause. These drinks contain high levels of caffeine as well as other additives such as taurine, gingsend, and carnitine that all act as stimulates. These ingredients combined could potentially have serious impacts on your health. The herbal stimulants in energy drinks that make you alert also make your heart beat markedly faster, putting you at risk of health problems. Though caffeine isn’t directly toxic to the heart, it can stimulate the heart and cause serious problems, even if you only consume a small amount, if you have any type of underlying heart disease. Caffeine can increase your blood pressure, and sometimes impair blood flow to your heart. It may trigger abnormal heart rhythms, which can be life-threatening in people at high risk.

Caffeine content varies. A 12-ounce serving of Amp contains 107 milligrams of caffeine, compared with 34 to 38 milligrams for the same amount of Coca-Cola or Pepsi. Monster has 120 milligrams and Red Bull has 116. Even higher on the spectrum, Spike Shooter contains 428 milligrams of caffeine in 12 ounces, and Wired X344 contains 258. Some point out that mainstream energy drinks often have less caffeine than a cup of coffee. At Starbucks, the caffeine content varies depending on the drink, from 75 milligrams in a 12-ounce cappuccino or latte to as much as 250 milligrams in a 12-ounce brewed coffee.

Around the country, the drinks have been linked with reports of nausea, abnormal heart rhythms and emergency room visits. Other side effects are much more sever. In August 2008, a study conducted by the Cardiovascular Research Centre at the Royal Adelaide Hospital in Australia found that energy drinks could increase the risk of strokes and heart attacks. The study showed that ingestion of one, 250mL can of sugar-free Red Bull, in a sample of 30 healthy young adults, had an immediate detrimental effect on both endothelial function, and normal blood coagulation. This temporarily raised the cardiovascular risk in these individuals to a level comparable to that of an individual with established coronary artery disease. According to the research, even consuming one can of the caffeinated energy drink Red Bull could cause the blood to become sticky, increasing the risk of clotting. Based on their results, researchers involved with the study cautioned against the consumption of Red Bull in individuals under stress, in those with high blood pressure, or in anyone with established atherosclerotic disease.

In March 2008, The Journal of American College Health published a report on the link between energy drinks, athletics and risky behavior. Researchers found that high consumption of energy drinks is associated with toxic jock behavior, a constellation of risky and aggressive behaviors including unprotected sex, substance abuse and violence.

Another serious concern is that the FDA does not currently require energy drinks to display warnings or limit the amount of caffeine they can contain. According to current FDA regulations, energy-drink manufacturers must label drinks as containing caffeine, but do not have to specify the exact amount. However, a report published in the September 24, 2008 edition of the journal Drugs and Alcohol Dependence calls for warnings to be added about the potential health risks energy drinks could pose.

1. Water and appropriate sports drinks should be used for rehydration as outlined in the NFHS Document Position Statement and Recommendations for Hydration to Minimize the Risk for Dehydration and Heat Illness.

2. Energy drinks should not be used for hydration.

3. Information about the absence of benefit and the presence of potential risk associated with energy drinks should be widely shared among all individuals who interact with young athletes.

4. Energy drinks should not be consumed by athletes who are dehydrated.

5. Energy drinks should not be consumed without prior medical approval, by athletes taking over the counter or prescription medications.

However, most of those warning are exactly what the energy drinks state they are for. For Instance Red Bull states on their site Red Bull Energy Drink is a functional beverage with a special formulation and combination of ingredients. It has been specially developed for times of increased mental and physical exertion. In addition, Red Bull vitalizes the body and mind. Red Bull's effects are appreciated throughout the world by top athletes, busy professionals, active students and drivers on long journeys.

Much of the criticism towards energy drinks has been directed toward Red Bull due to its global popularity. Other popular brands are Red Bull, Monster, Rockstar, No Fear, Tab Energy, Wired and Fixx. These energy drinks are heavily marketed, especially to young adults, with slogans such as Red Bull gives you wings and others that compare the effects of the drinks to the use of drugs like cocaine. About a third of 12-to 24-year-olds say they regularly down energy drinks, which account for more than $3 billion in annual sales in the United States.

Red Bull is currently banned in France, Norway, Uruguay, Denmark, and Turkey because of the health risks of the drink listed on its can.