Drinkers urged to wise up about alcohol and energy drinks

Sept. 21, 2011 - PRLog -- In its new briefing paper Mixed messages launched today (21 September 2011) the charity highlights the possible dangers of mixing highly caffeinated drinks with alcohol. In particular, the caffeine in energy drinks can mask the effects of alcohol, meaning that drinkers may be less aware of how drunk they are, and more likely to put themselves in danger.

Andrew Misell from Alcohol Concern Cymru, said:

“Sales of energy drinks have shot up in the UK in recent years, particularly among young people, but there is a general lack of guidance about the dangers of mixing high-caffeine drinks with alcohol.

“Many drinkers may be unaware just how much caffeine they’re taking in. A 500ml can of an average energy drink such as Rockstar, Relentless or Monster contains 160mg of caffeine. That’s the equivalent of a double espresso or five cans of Coca-cola.

“Both caffeine and alcohol are diuretics – they cause the body to pass water – so mixing energy drinks with alcohol can leave drinkers badly dehydrated, possibly leading to vomiting, nausea, and other health problems in the long term.

“What’s more dangerous, perhaps, is that the stimulant effect of so much caffeine can mask the depressant effect of the alcohol. People drinking energy drinks with alcohol may feel very alert and not realise how drunk they are. One possible result of this is that drinkers will take more risks.

“A study in the USA found that students drinking alcohol mixed with energy drinks were four times more likely to intend to drive compared with drinkers who had consumed alcohol without energy drinks.”

Alcohol Concern Cymru’s Drink Wise Wales website contains an alcohol and energy drink counter outlining the amount of alcohol, caffeine and sugar in common energy drink cocktails such as a double vodka and Red Bull, a Jägerbomb (Jägermeister shot with Red Bull), and a TVR (tequila, vodka and Red Bull).

Andrew Misell continued:

“We’re keen to give drinkers the heads-up on the effects of mixing caffeine and energy drinks through our Drink Wise Wales website. Our aim is to give people the correct information about the dangers associated with alcohol so they can make informed and healthy drinking choices.”

Alcohol Concern Cymru is also challenging producers and retailers of energy drinks to act more responsibly. The charity is calling on energy drink producers to actively communicate the possible dangers of mixing their products with alcohol in their marketing and advertising campaigns, and is urging bars and clubs to stop promoting energy drinks as mixers for alcohol.

Notes to editors:
•   Alcohol Concern Cymru works to ensure more people in Wales understand about sensible drinking, and aims to challenge the drinks industry on their marketing and pricing practices. With support from the Welsh Government, the charity focuses on policy and public health in Wales, acting as a champion for alcohol harm reduction.
•   A copy of the Alcohol Concern Cymru briefing paper Mixed messages – alcohol and energy drinks is attached, and will be available on the Alcohol Concern website


All figures rounded up or down to the nearest whole unit.

Further supportive quotes

Chief Medical Officer for Wales, Dr Tony Jewell, said: “The cost to the NHS in Wales of treating alcohol-related health problems currently stands at £70-85 million a year. To reduce alcohol-related illness and deaths in Wales our emphasis is on reducing the problems caused by the inappropriate or risky use of alcohol, including binge drinking.  

"We would consider mixing caffeine drinks and alcohol risky behaviour, especially if people drink excessive amounts. As well as the increased risk of heart disease and other conditions from alcohol misuse, in many cases energy drinks have high levels of sugar, as much as 6 teaspoons in a small can, and are high in calories. This can also increase the risk of obesity and tooth decay.”

Raechel Mattey, NUS Wales' Deputy President, said: “We support responsible drinking and promotion with Students' Unions and work closely with them on this matter. Our current work with the Welsh Government is a campaign to issue guidance on good practice around alcohol on campus. It is important to ensure we fully understand this frequency of consumptions among students and we are happy to work with Alcohol Concern Cymru to identify any impacts that it may have.”

Bethan Jenkins, Plaid Cymru AM for South Wales West, said: “Alcohol Concern Cymru is right to highlight this worrying trend, as it is fast becoming the du jour drink of choice for young people on a night out. I know it's hard to counter a trend like this, but what people should bear in mind is that with energy drinks having only been with us for a short amount of time, there is no research yet available that shows what drinking these cocktails can do to you over a long period of time. I'm hoping that the worrying facts that Alcohol Concern Cymru have presented about extreme dehydration will cause people to pause and think about what they could be doing to themselves.”

Shadow Minister for Health, Darren Millar AM: “This is a hidden problem that can obviously be dangerous on a number of levels. I welcome the work of Alcohol Concern in highlighting this issue and getting the message out there. I also echo the charity’s calls for more responsibility from both producers and retailers. Let’s see some proper dialogue and discussion on this matter and make sure that health and wellbeing are put first.”  

ENDS
Media enquiries to Sian Hunt at Golley Slater on shunt@golleyslater.co.uk or 029 2078 6019 or Rebecca Richards at Golley Slater on rrichards@golleyslater.co.uk

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Alcohol Concern Cymru works to ensure more people in Wales understand about sensible drinking, and aims to challenge the drinks industry on their marketing and pricing practices. With support from the Welsh Government, the charity focuses on policy and public health in Wales, acting as a champion for alcohol harm reduction.