Major compounds profiles in energetic drinks: caffeine, taurine, guarana, and glucoronolactone

Abstract

In the last years the energetic drinks have came into the market, and in a remarkable way. Young people and athletes largely consume these sorts of beverages. In this work a review on the major compounds found in energetic drinks (caffeine, taurine, guarana and glucoronolactone) is presented, emphasizing the Brazilian legislations aspects, composition, physiological effects, metabolism, and toxicological aspects. According to the investigators and reported studies, the ideal contents of these stimulating agents in beverages formulation have not established yet, and further studies on the interactions of these compounds with other substances, as alcoholic drinks have to be done, since energetic drinks have largely been consumed in combination with alcoholic drinks; and mixing both kinds of drinks causes the alcohol effect enhancement.