Health issues of energy drinks

ENERGY DRINKS SYNERGY1

PREPARED BY

MD. ABU SYEED ID 2008-1-10-098 MD. TANVIR HOSSAIN BHUIYAN ID 2008-1-10-196

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BACKGROUND

Mushrooming brands of energy drinks. Claim of the companies. Debate running home and abroad about the effects of energy drinks on health. How much damage are we going to face in the future?

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METHODOLOGY

Hypothesis: Consumption of energy drinks might put extra-pressure on the countrys healthcare services.

Primary data collected through survey using two set of questionnaires and an interview.Retailers Consumers Chemical expert

(sample size 7) (sample size 16) (Faculty member of EWU)

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METHODOLOGY (CONT)Questionnaire for Retailers1) How many energy drink bottles do you sell every day?a)10-20 b) 20-30 c) 30-40 d) 40 or more e)_________

2) How many different brands are there?_____________

3) How much is the sale compared to other type of drinks? _______________________ 4) Is the total consumption level increasing since introduction of the product? a) yes b) No 5) What is the rate of sales each month? ______________ 6) What is the frequency of a single customers purchase?a) Low b) Average c) Good d) High e) Very High f) Unpredictable

7) What do you think, does energy drinks have any physical effects or addiction?a)Yes b) No c) maybe d) no comments5

8) What will be future of energy drink?

METHODOLOGY (CONT)

9) Do you think energy drinks should continue in the market?a) Yes b) no maybe c) considering its effectsno d) considering the profit---yes e)

10) What did they used to sell before?a) Mineral water b) Coke _______________ c) Pepsi d) RC-cola e) others

11) Why did they choose to sell energy drinks?a) More profit b) high demand c) Extra benefit from the company d)__________

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METHODOLOGY (CONT)Questionnaire for Consumers 1) What is your age group?a) Less than 20 b) 20 30 c) 30 40 d) 40 50 e) More than 50 2) Which brand of energy drink do you consume? ______________________

3) How many bottles of energy drinks do you take in a day?a) Less than 5 b) 5 10 c) 10 15 d) More than 15

4) Up to how much are you willing to spend for energy drinks each month? (in BDT.)a) Less than 1,000 b) 1,000 1,500 c) More than 1,500

5) What are the reasons for you to take energy drinks? _____________________________________________ 6) What do you think, does energy drinks have any physical effects or addiction?a) Yes b) No c) May be d) No comments7

METHODOLOGY (CONT)

The points of Focus Why

the retailers are selling energy drinks? Are people aware about the harmful effects of energy drinks? Why the consumers are attracted or having it? The future of energy drinks in terms of growth, demand and retailers profit. What happens when all the ingredients of the energy drink enters the body at the same

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FINDINGSvery high little high

ABOUT SALES AND MARKEThigh Average

Sale compared to other drinks

On an average summer day the sales of energy drinks reaches as high as 80 bottles.29% 28%

14% 29%

Major contributors: Tiger Speed Big Boss Crown Black Horse etc

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FINDINGSPublic opinion about the future of energy drinksUnknown Increase

43%

57%

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FINDINGSShould Energy drinks continue in the marketyes Considering its effects-no maybe no Considering its profits-yes

Opinion about physical EffectsMay be NO Yes

0% 14% 14% 14%

29%

57% 72%

0%

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FINDINGSWhy do you chose to sell?High demand Extra benefit offered by company

When did the seller start to sell3 years ago 6 to 8 years ago 2 Years ago

14%

14% 29%

86%

57%

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FINDINGSConsumer Age Grouples than 20 40 to 50 20 to 30 more than 50 30 to 40

Prefered Brands of Energy DrinksTiger Shark Black Horse Black Speed Speed wild brew Red Bull Holsten

0% 6% 7% 14% 4% 5%

2% 27%

27% 60%

7% 14% 27%

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FINDINGSPer Day Consumption of the Consumersless than 5 5 to 10 10 to 15 more than 15

0% 6%

27%

67%

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FINDINGSPurchase by a single customerLow Average Good High Very High Unpredictable

0% 0%14% 29%

14%

43%

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FINDINGSConsumers' Willingness to Spend for a Bottle of Energy Drink10 to 15 15 to 20 20 to 25 more than 25

Consumers' Willingness to Spend for Energy Drinks Each Monthless than 1000 1000 to 1500 more than 1500

0% 6% 13% 31% 7%

63% 80%

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FINDINGSConsumers' Opinion About the Negative Effects of Energy Drinksyes no maybe no comments

19% 37%

YES= They are aware of the harm No = They have no idea Maybe & No Comments= Ignorance

44%

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FINDINGS

Reasons for Consuming Energy Drinks Feeling

weak during work Exhaustion To regain strength Extra Energy Refreshment Before exam No reasons

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ANALYSISMore new brands are coming in the market High public demand was noticeable. Retailers are given extra benefit each month to sell more. Lack of awareness and ignorance among sellers and consumers was present.

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REALITY OF THE CHEMICALSIngredientSucrose Glucose Sodium Citrates (Acidity Regulator)

AmountN/A N/A

Health Hazard (short-term)Tooth Decay Tooth Decay Large consumption may cause gastrointestinal disturbances

Health Hazard (long-term)Tooth Decay, Diabetes and Gout Tooth Decay, Diabetes

N/A

Unknown

Carbon Dioxide

N/A

If consumed too much at once, might cause kidney damage due by disturbing No short-term hazards the chemical balance in the blood and also would cause the blood pH to be altered which can cause death.

Taurine

0.4%

Not known yet

Not known yet20

REALITY OF THE CHEMICALS (CONT)Glucuronolactone 0.24% No Weight gain leading to obesity and other problems associated with obesity Increases Heart rate and blood pressure which causes hypertension and heart problems. No

Caffeine

0.03%

No

Inositol

N/A 8mg/44% Drinks per 100ml 2mg/33% Drinks per 100ml

No

NiacinPantothenic Acid

NoNo

NoNo21

REALITY OF THE CHEMICALS (CONT)Vitamin B6 Vitamin B12 2mg/100% per 100 ml 2mg/200% per 100ml No No No No Natural flavoring will not have any hazards. But artificial flavorings may cause damage to liver and kidney. Natural colors will not have any hazards. But artificial colors will cause damage to liver and kidney. Weight gains leading to obesity and diabetics22

Flavorings

N/A

No

Colors (caramel, riboflavin)

N/A

No

Carbohydrates

11.3g per 100ml

No

REALITY OF THE CHEMICALS (CONT)

What kind of effect takes place in the human body when all these chemicals enter into the human body together? Sugar, Caffeine and Taurine together have long-term bad effects over the body. They cause severe dehydration, obesity, tooth decay and heart problems. Caffeine stimulates the nervous system which causes addiction to caffeine if consumed on a regular basis, leading to depression of the central nervous system, increased blood pressure and heart rate. Kidney damage occurs as well.23