Caffeine and alcohol: costly combination?
By Mike Madden
Issue date: 11/20/09 Section: News
"I have not seen any research on how much more dangerous the combination is than just alcohol alone," Bateman said. "Therefore, I feel this is probably part of the reason why the FDA is trying to figure out whether or not it should be legalized.
Before making the product legal they need to do more research on the health effects and then decide if it should be made available to consumers."
Currently, the FDA has only approved 200 parts per million of caffeine as an additive for use in soft drinks.
The FDA requested that within 30 days, the companies provide concrete evidence of their rationale for deeming that the use of caffeine in their product is GRAS or prior approved.
Still though, Goodman said that she sees the effort of controlling the overall use of the two substances as something hard to maintain.
"People have the choice to do what they please," Goodman said. "Just like cigarettes, it is common knowledge that they are bad, but people still chose to smoke them."
Bateman said that although more research needs to be done in terms of the legality of the mixture, students should be fully aware of the health effects.
"It is very popular to mix energy drinks and alcohol as well as many people mix liquor with pop/soda, which contains caffeine, so this mixture is nothing new," Goodman said. "People should be aware of the side effects. I think more research needs to be conducted before choosing if this mixture should be legal or illegal, however I would agree with making it illegal for the health of others, which I understand those who want the mixture will just mix it themselves."
Before making the product legal they need to do more research on the health effects and then decide if it should be made available to consumers."
Currently, the FDA has only approved 200 parts per million of caffeine as an additive for use in soft drinks.
The FDA requested that within 30 days, the companies provide concrete evidence of their rationale for deeming that the use of caffeine in their product is GRAS or prior approved.
Still though, Goodman said that she sees the effort of controlling the overall use of the two substances as something hard to maintain.
"People have the choice to do what they please," Goodman said. "Just like cigarettes, it is common knowledge that they are bad, but people still chose to smoke them."
Bateman said that although more research needs to be done in terms of the legality of the mixture, students should be fully aware of the health effects.
"It is very popular to mix energy drinks and alcohol as well as many people mix liquor with pop/soda, which contains caffeine, so this mixture is nothing new," Goodman said. "People should be aware of the side effects. I think more research needs to be conducted before choosing if this mixture should be legal or illegal, however I would agree with making it illegal for the health of others, which I understand those who want the mixture will just mix it themselves."
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