These days, it seems that caffeine-rich energy drinks and alcohol are the new vodka and tonic. And if not in the one drink, then who hasn't had an energy drink or two druing a big night out to combat the more annoying depressant effects of alcohol (and late night sleepiness generally)?
No big deal right?
Well, a study of 800 young drinkers in the US has found those who consumed caffeine-alcohol mixed drinks (like Jagemeister or Red Bull and vodka) were often drunker and more likely to put themselves at risk compared with those who had only drunk alcohol.
In particular, those who had drunk caffeine-alcohol were 3 times more at likely to leave a bar drunk and 4 times more likely to say they intended to drive.
Dr Lucy Burns, from the University of NSW's National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC), said, "It is common to believe that energy drinks will reduce the fatigue, cognitive and motor impairments of alcohol and other drugs".
"So there is a real danger that consumers may be more likely to engage in risky behaviours, such as operating a car or a motorcycle.
"Consumers needed to be more aware of the effect of caffeine on their body and the risk posed by consuming it alongside alcohol."
3 Comments
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Paulwillfixit
almost 2 years ago
Lucy Burns got it in one: "Consumers needed to be more aware of the effect of caffeine on their body and the risk posed by consuming it alongside alcohol."
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drug_stud
almost 2 years ago
Not to mention the effects these sugary drinks have on your teeth...
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yeliab87
almost 2 years ago
wow, seems like just about drinking or eating or doing anything these days will cause you harm..
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