A downer for energy drinks

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Billions ten billion that is how much Americans spent on energy drinks and 2012 the popular drinks claiming to -- not only a big jolt budding mental physical edge but the drinks really delivering an -- are we all -- had.

Griff Jenkins hit the ground to find out.

Greta it's the latest craze sweeping the nation to the tune of ten billion dollars in sales alone just last year -- these high powered energy drinks -- -- full of caffeine -- range and saying and he knows what else.

But promising to give you that ultimate edge and their daily lives.

It's also grabbing headlines as to whether or really works -- it's even good for.

And it's gotten congress' attention to.

Congressman Ed Markey Democrat of Massachusetts.

Wrote this letter to the FTC asking them to investigate the industry's marketing practices.

Doctor Roland Griffiths is a professor of psychiatry and neuroscience -- Johns Hopkins University.

I see energy drinks as just another vehicle for delivery.

Caffeine caffeine is the most widely used mood altering drug in the world all these energy drinks contain various additives like -- and B vitamins today and a host of other things they're claims made.

That these additional ingredients.

Somehow interact.

And produce a different effect.

That remains to be shown scientifically.

The big -- difference is that the energy drinks are being marketed.

Four.

Performance enhancement to increase concentration.

And they're being targeted.

Toward.

What I see is kind of a vulnerable population.

There should a lot of downside cultural wrists.

To promoting drug use in that form.

So in that sense it's a new marketing message.

And that perhaps may be have some embedded dangerous and.

Now we reached out to all of the major energy drink companies for comment but only five hour energy responded telling us in part.

Quote five hour energy is intended for busy adults who need -- boost it is not marketed to children.

They continue it is strictly regulated by in complies with us.

The dietary supplement health and education act as regulated by the US food and drug administration and the FDA's current.

Good manufacturing practice regulations.

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A downer for energy drinks

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