Caffeine & Alcohol Blend – a Lethal Cocktail? The FDA Steps in!

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The manufacturers of these drinks are upset over the negative publicity and unwanted scrutiny of their drinks – often becoming defensive about the amount of alcohol in the drink, claiming the amount of alcohol is clearly marked on the labels

Here is an interesting piece of trivia –

*Effects of alcohol can be removed only by the liver and at a rate of about 0.015/hr. So, if a persons BAL is 0.105, which is 0.025 over the normal legal limit, it will take 7 hours to get all the alcohol out of their bloodstream. Most people start to be affected at BAL's of 0.050, when reactions start to slow, but it is still imperceptible. This is even more so if they are sitting and drinking and clueless of the effect it is having till the person begins make a move to get up or go to the bathroom. But for a person to feel intoxicated s/he has to have a BAL of 0.100.

So smarten up and get an equivalent high with a 45-minute daily jog around the neighborhood track.

Vijayalakshmi Iyengar
Sr Dietitian, Nutritiovista.com

NutritionVista

User Comments

20 November, 2010 | Vijayalakshmi Iyengar | Reply

How much impact THE FDA warning has on these companies to withdraw the existing products, other companies to desist bringing out similar concotions, and kids from indulging in them, has to be seen.

17 November, 2010 | Mrinal | Reply

The Food and Drug Administration was expected to take a stand Wednesday on the removal of Caffeine From Alcoholic Drinks - (e.g. Four Loko)

Anticipating such a move, the company that manufactures Four Loko announced on Tuesday evening that they were removing the caffeine and two other ingredients from its products. This was a direct result of their facing steady criticism and regulatory scrutiny for manufacturing these dangerous energy concoctions that combine high levels of a caffeine stimulant with alcohol.

There had been numerous reports of young people getting sick after consuming this deceptively marketed blend of alcohol and caffeine, which was sold in colorful 23.5-ounce cans.

Hopefully the other brands will follow the lead and stop bringing such reckless products to market.

17 November, 2010 | Shreenatha Narayana | Reply

Great, that is a commendable move by the manufacturer. The FDA should still bring in some stringent rules so that none of the manufacturer can deceive the consumer.

17 November, 2010 | Vijayalakshmi Iyengar | Reply

Fantastic news Mrinal! I am sure with pressure form the Medical fraternity, FDA, parents, School authorities and healthy students all other companies will follow suit. Not only that no company would like to be seen as deliberately going against the law or harming the youth.

09 November, 2010 | Vedanta Dikshit | Reply

Mixing any energy drinks with alcohol causes this effect or just the drinks mentioned in the above article? What are the energy drinks available in India, name a few. Just want to know the brand names so that I can keep my son who is 19 yrs of age, off them.

Very nice and informative article. Thank you.

01 November, 2010 | Parul Mehta | Reply

Education students from primary school onwards about the ill effects of drugs, alcohol and smoking will help in keeping atleast 50% of the kids away from these dangerous habits. Easy access to pocket money, getting everything they need from parents who struggle to give their wards the best of everything, has made the children of today to some extent irresponsible.

01 November, 2010 | Danny | Reply

It is sad that children will do anything to be a on a high without thinking of the repercussions. There are kids who will do anything for a DARE and challenge the peer to do the same. The worry is they willl not be aware when they cross the line from so called `FUN' to `Danger'.I agree there should be strict legislation in marketing such spirits. In my sons school also they are facing drugs, smoking and drinking problems from class 7 onward.... we need to watch our wards without rasing their suspicion.

01 November, 2010 | Nitin Kakkar | Reply

People who consume only alcohol, who feel tired and intoxicated, are more likely to acknowledge that they are drunk.On the other hand, people who have consumed both alcohol and caffeine may feel awake and competent enough to handle potentially harmful situations, such as driving while intoxicated or placing themselves in dangerous social situations which in turn can lead to disastrous consequences.

01 November, 2010 | Rahul Kumar | Reply

Caffeine in these drinks may lead people to underestimate how drunk they are, giving drinkers a false sense of sobriety.An inaccurate perception may increase the likelihood of engaging in high-risk behavior.
Its important to make teenagers aware about the effect of these drinks.

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