Is Mixing Alcohol and Energy Drinks Deadly? College Students Unaware of Dangers

"Energy" drinks are all the rage. They are available everywhere, and are often target marketed to college aged students. A new study has found that when these energy drinks are mixed with alcohol, college students are at a much greater risk of suffering an injury or other alcohol-related consequence, according to a recent press release.

Many college students mix alcohol and energy drinks, without knowing whether or not this combination is safe. Many companies market energy drinks that also contain alcohol, claiming that they are actually healthier than plain alcohol.

Combining alcohol and energy drinks allows students to consumer greater amounts of alcohol, and drink for longer periods of time.

Researchers at Wake Forrest University School of Medicine undertook a study to determine the consequences of mixing alcohol with energy drinks. The study discovered that the combination of alcohol and energy drinks could lead to serious and potentially deadly consequences.

The research found that those students who mixed alcohol and energy drinks, or consumed a prepackaged version of alcoholic energy drinks were at a much greater risk of being inured, or hurt enough that they needed medical attention. They were also at twice the risk of riding in a car with an intoxicated driver compared to students who didn't mix alcohol with energy drinks.

Finally, when college students consumed the alcohol energy drink combination, they were twice as likely to engage in or be taken advantage of sexually.

Foods and drinks that are regulated by the FDA cannot contain more than 65 milligrams per of caffeine, per serving. However, as it stands now, the Food and Drug Administration does not regulate energy drinks.

Just one serving of some energy drinks has as much as 300 milligrams of caffeine in that serving.

The majority of state attorney generals (29 states) have condemned the practice of producing alcoholic energy drinks. Opponents of the alcohol energy drink combination believe the FDA should investigate these health risks, and increase our awareness so that people can make better choices.