The top 5 Selling UK Energy Drinks implications for dental and general health

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Author
Clapp, O.
Morgan, M.Z.
Fairchild, Ruth M.
Date
2019-04-12Acceptance date
2018-11-08
Type
Article
Publisher
Springer
ISSN
0007-0610
1476-5373
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Aim
Energy drinks are widely consumed worldwide, and are recognised for their adverse health effects,
usually due to their high caffeine content. However,
little is known about their impact on oral and
general health
. The aim of this investigation was to review the
most popular
energy drinks
sold
in the
UK, for their possible effect on oral
health and contribution to obesity.
Materials and Method
s
Five drinks constituting 75% of the UK energy drinks market were purposively selected (
Lucozade,
Redbull, Monster, Rockstar and Relentless)
. pH and sugar content were measured and their
ingredients reviewed
in the context of oral and general health, focussing on dental caries and
erosion and obesity
.
Results
All 5 energy drinks investigated
had pH values below the critical value (5.5)
associated with dental
erosion; t
he lowest pH
was 2.7
2 (Lucozade
), the highest pH was 3.37 (Monster).
The drinks also
contained
excessive
amounts of free sugars, ranging from 25.5g (Red Bull) to 69.2g (Rockstar).
Differences in sugar content were mainly explained by portion size. Other ingredients contained
within
the energy drinks, caffeine and various acids
are also linked to
oral
and general health.
Conclusion
Regular consumption of energy drinks could contribute to dental
erosion and the development of
obesity. Lucozade and Rockstar were found to potentially have the greatest impact on oral health and
obesity
.
Achieving a healthy product by reformulation is highly unlikely
due to the very high initial free sugar
content. Thus health professionals need to acknowledge the popularity of these products and help
their clients to reduce their use. This is the first study which compares in detail the potential oral and
general
health consequences of overuse of a selection of energy drinks popular in the UK.
Journal/conference proceeding
British Dental Journal;
Citation
Clapp, O., Morgan, M.Z. and Fairchild, R.M. (2019) 'The top five selling UK energy drinks: implications for dental and general health', British Dental Journal, 226(7), p.493 -497.
Description
Article published in British Dental Journal available at https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-019-0114-0
Sponsorship
Cardiff Metropolitan University (Grant ID: Cardiff Metropolian (Internal))
Collections
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