Energy drink usage survey comes to Keesler Published Dec. 5, 2012 By Lt. Col. Winnie Lok-Park 81st Diagnostics and Therapeutics Squadron KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- A study is currently being conducted on the prevalence of energy drink consumption among all Air Force personnel, including civilians, stationed at Keesler. The survey was initiated by investigators at Travis AFB, Calif., in September to learn how many Air Force personnel use energy drinks, their side effects and the reasons people choose to consume them. After gaining approval from the Air Force Survey Office, 11 other sites, including Keesler, were selected to join the research efforts. The survey runs for four weeks at each site, with the study collection period concluding at the end of the year. Energy drinks are widely used in the military, although little is known about the physical effects on the body. The Air Force Times published an article in June 2012 regarding the two-year research project currently underway at Travis's David Grant U.S. Air Force Medical Center. This study is specifically looking at the effects energy drinks have on the blood pressure, heart rate and heart rhythm of users. While the U.S. Food and Drug Administration limits the amount of caffeine in sodas and other beverages to no more than 71 mg per 12-ounce can, there are no such restrictions on energy drinks since they are classified as "nutritional supplements." This is particularly concerning to medical providers, since some energy drinks contain up to 500 mg of caffeine per container. Most people consume them for the positive effects of increased mental alertness, energy and stamina. However, excessive amounts of caffeine can cause insomnia, irritability, anxiety, headaches and an increased heartbeat. Energy drinks have had much publicity lately. In November, the FDA received claims that a popular energy product may have led to 13 deaths and 33 hospitalizations over the past four years. In October, the family of a 14-year old girl sued the makers of one particular energy drink for wrongful death. After consuming two 24-oz containers in 24 hours, the girl became unconscious and later died from a cardiac arrhythmia (i.e., rapid, slow or irregular heart rate) due to caffeine toxicity, which prevented the heart from pumping blood. Although there have not been any reports of deaths attributed to energy drinks in the military, the limited knowledge about their physical effects and how many Air Force personnel consume them is a potential health risk. A 2008 research study found consumption rates of energy drinks to be 61 percent of all active-duty members surveyed at one Air Force base. This study completed at Travis early this year indicated that consumption rates were 87 percent for active-duty members, with 40 percent consuming at least one drink per week. Consumption among non-active-duty members at Travis was 61 percent, which is significantly lower. These findings raise more questions about why the more recent consumption rates are higher and why active-duty members consume energy drinks at higher rates than non-active-duty members. Your participation in this survey may help provide answers to these questions. To access it, go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/USAF_Energy_Drink_Consumption_Survey.