CHAPTER 1

Low prices, extensive availability, gendered branding and marketing are the key
factors that made energy drinks a mainstream beverage all over the world. Most energy
drinks are consumed privately and publicly with the purpose of social, sports, and
computer gaming related activities. Given these activities, most cases of extreme
consumption of energy drinks are seen in males. Energy drinks are one of the most
popular functional beverages in our modern world that benefit drinkers to boost energy,
enhance athletic performances, improve concentration, and to lose weight effectively.
(Cheetam, Crossley, Lake, & Visram, 2017). As stated by Cleaver and Dawodu (2017),
energy drinks are classified as caffeinated beverages that mostly contain a mix of other
ingredients including ginseng, guarana, taurine, vitamins, and sugars or other artificial
sweeteners. Energy drinks contain different the blend of additives that are controlled by
different manufacturers. Its ingredients are labeled but the total percentage or amount of
each ingredient are not indicated. (Kozik TM, et al 2016) Most of the energy drinks are
mainly composed of caffeine and glucose in large amounts but some are just artificially
sweetened. In every 8 ounces of energy drinks, the caffeine content ranges from 80-150
mg, that is equivalent to 5 ounces of coffee or 24-ounce can have caffeinated soda.
Besides caffeine and glucose, taurine, ginseng, guarana, acai, maltodextrin, inositol,
carnitine, glucuronolactone, ginkgo biloba, methylxanthines, creatine, yerba mate, and
vitamin B are the other ingredients used in energy drinks but mostly caffeine and glucose
fill the whole energy drink (Alsunni, 2015).
Last 2016, the sales of energy drinks are expected to grow up to $50 billion by the
end of the year and these sales were expected to grow bigger annually. The increasing
sales of energy drinks are associated with the increasing consumption of different age
groups in the youth most particularly in adolescents and young adults. Possibly, these are
the two common factors that urge youth to consume more energy drinks; its taste and
contribution of energy are the key drivers that urge people to consume more energy
drinks. While the major influences that keep the people from trying energy drinks are its
branding and marketing all over the world. Energy drinks are projected with its positive
effects on human’s body and the awareness on the negative effects that human might get
from it is relatively low.
With this condition, different studies had conducted the different health effects of
consuming energy drinks regularly. Most of the results are negative and these results
affect the significant parts of the human’s body. If there are positive effects that energy
drink can contribute, it is completely unworthy because its adverse effects occur mostly
in our nervous system, endothelial function, and our behaviors. Fenton et al. (2016) state
that a primary concern with energy drink consumption is the excessive caffeine
consumption which most energy drinks have. Excess consumption of caffeine may lead
to different adverse effects. Some of which are anxiety, sleeping disorders, restlessness,
gastrointestinal effects, tachycardia and other cardiac symptoms. Also, in unusual
caffeine consumption cases, seizures and death may occur. Caffeine, as defined by
Nichols (2017) from Medical News Today, is a commonly used stimulant that millions of
people consumed to increase alertness, ease the exhaustion, and improve attention.
Health Canada, a health organization from Canada recommends different levels of
caffeine intake that different people should limit prior to their age and body weights.

1
Canadian adults should limit their caffeine consumption to about three 8 oz. cups of
brewed coffee per day, that is equivalent to no more than 400 mg of caffeine per day.
Children, in this case, are more vulnerable and sensitive to the effects of caffeine. So,
Health Canada recommends children aged four to six to take caffeine no more than 45
mg per day. Moreover, children aged seven to nine should take caffeine no more than
62.5 milligram and children aged 10 to 12 should take caffeine no more than 85 mg per
day. Lastly, adolescents 13 and older should take caffeine no more than 2.5 kg/body
weight. (Health Canada, 2013)

In the Philippines, there are more than 500 locally energy drink products that are
placed on the market, and its popularity increases together with the significant energy
drink-related emergencies and deaths. (Boggs, 2017). One example of energy drink that
is common in the Philippines is Cobra, a local brand energy drink which promises
drinkers to have additional boost for the day. Cobra’s target markets are construction
workers and bodybuilders. Caffeine is present in this energy drink which gives it the
power to enhance or uplift the body of the drinker. Generally, caffeine levels in this drink
are not specified and proper prohibitions are not even mentioned. This is also the reason
why there are several researchers in the Philippines that focuses on identifying the energy
drinks’ toxicity but unfortunately, these research papers were not able to reach public.
Moreover, the regulatory measures also are not that tight to keep the proper monitoring of
energy drinks prior to its toxicity and possible adverse effects on an individual. In that
sense, the purpose of this study is to identify the different toxicity levels based on the
different contents/ingredients of energy drinks in the Philippines prior to its associated
adverse effects.
Objectives

The objectives of this research are:

 To identify the three usually consumed energy drinks of the people in
Dinalupihan
 To identify the different constituent ingredients of the three energy drinks
 To identify the toxicity levels of common ingredients
 To rank the toxicity of energy drinks based on its ingredients
 To give some health awareness and information about energy drinks and its
effects
Statement of the Problem

In the town of Dinalupihan, the number of people who consume energy drinks is
increasing. Most of them are fond of consuming energy drinks especially the teenagers
for concentration, energy, and wakefulness. Teenagers here in Dinalupihan used to
consume caffeinated products especially energy drinks for one common reason; to retain
wakefulness while doing school works. Athletes, on the other hand, consume energy
drinks to boost their athletic performances and energy throughout their game or practice.
The real problem is that Dinalupiheños keep on consuming energy drinks behind its
negative effect on health. They even alter and consume different brand of energy drinks
to see it if it will suit their own health preference. If they do not experience any negative

2
or unusual feeling, they will stick to that brand without knowing that all energy drinks are
the same and do really have adverse effects when consumed excessively. Commented [MS1]: Too wordy, please use economy of
With that said, the researchers have to go seek and identify the orientation of words. This is redundant especially since you have a
rundown of bullet points at the latter portion of this.
Dinalupiheños when it comes to consuming energy drinks and other related factors.
Specifically, this study seeks to answer the following questions:
1. What is the demographic profile of energy drink consumers in Dinalupihan in terms of:
a. Sex?;
b. Age?; and,
c. Occupation?
2. What are the reasons why Dinalupiheños are fond/not fond of consuming energy
drinks? And Why?
3. What are the common energy drinks that are usually consumed by the people in
Dinalupihan?
a. What is the most consumed energy drink?
b. What is the least consumed energy drink?
c. On balance, what energy drink is usually consumed by Dinalupihenos?
4. Is there a significant relationship between the overall health of individuals and drinking
of energy drinks?
5. Is there a significant relationship between energy drink consumption and alcoholic and
substance use, and other risk-taking behaviors?
Significance of the Study

The study of different toxicity levels of energy drinks can be a life-saving

research for people who usually consume energy drinks without prior consideration. This
study would benefit the people of Dinalupihan, specifically the teenagers and the athletes
that consume energy drinks excessively remain awake and enhance performance. The
research’s objectives are: 1) to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of energy
drinking habits of the Dinalupiheños; and, 2) to provide health precautions when about
energy drinks and consumption.
This study can also be beneficial for some health organizations in Dinalupihan for
disseminating information about the adverse effects and the toxicity levels of energy
drinks. Public and private schools can also use the data in this study, for the teenagers are
the most sensitive and vulnerable consumers of toxic products. This would expectedly
increase the level of awareness of the Dinalupiheños when consuming caffeinated
products especially energy drinks. It will also somehow change the way people perceive
energy drinks and it will regulate the consumption of energy drinks more effectively than
before.
In some cases, some people are already knowledgeable about the adverse effects
of energy drinks, but the question then becomes what is the most toxic brand or product
among those energy drinks and what are the safety precautions of drinking energy
drinks? Overall, it can possibly stop a person from consuming energy drinks completely
in his/her life and it can possibly help a person to be a wiser consumer in the future.

3
 Limitations of the Study

The study is a descriptive research and it focused on the knowledge, attitudes, and
practices of DInalupiheños on energy drinking. The three energy drinks that the
researchers have focused on was based on the survey results. The research interviewees
are composed of 100 random people from the town of Dinalupihan, Philippines. The
primary data gathering method used was a survey method to determine the addiction
level of people to energy drinks and what are the energy drinks that they used to
consume. Also, random and convenience sampling was used to survey the people, this
determined the respondent’s age, gender, and occupation which has a direct relation to
energy drinks consumption. Frequency distribution and coding were used to interpret the
gathered data.
Furthermore, the study delimits itself on energy drink products that have been
made in the Philippines and will only focus on evaluating the current scenario of energy
drinking in Dinalupihan and providing its different health effects that might have a
negative effect on consumer’s health. By also identifying the current scenario, the
researchers will suggest some health precautions and advice when it comes to consuming
energy drinks in the day to day life. Commented [MS2]: Please provide me with a new
Chapter 2 Chapter 1 outline. Please break down your topics into
subtopics so the write-up becomes coherent.

Review of Related Literature It is like Math and drawing a line. Segment A should be
connected to Segment B first before you jump to Segment
C. Make sure you don’t skip steps to arrive at your
I. Content and Ingredients of Energy Drink conclusion.
What are the ingredients that energy drinks contain that consumers are not aware
of its effect in their body? Generally, the energy drink is known to boosts alertness, Finally, please observe grammar, especially in your usage
of prepositions and SVA.
wakefulness, productivity (Kallmyer, 2018), physical and cognitive performance
(Abdulrahman, 2015). Risk of consuming too much energy drinks can lead to anxiety,
sleeping disorders, restlessness, gastrointestinal effects, tachycardia and other health
effects. (Fenton, 2016). Specifically, these are the contents and ingredients of energy
drinks and its effect on our body when consumed exceedingly. The listed ingredients here
are the common appearing ingredients in every energy drinks examined by the different
researchers; glucose, taurine, Panax ginseng, glucuronolactone, inositol, L-carnitine,
maltodextrin, guarana, vitamins and other preservatives. Glucose is a simple sugar that
helps to maintain normal function of the organs. Taurine is an organic compound that is
necessary for development and function of skeletal muscle. Panax ginseng is a perennial
plant and its extract can boost our immune system. Glucuronolactone is a naturally
occurring substance in our body necessary for structural component tissues and
detoxification of the body. Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant that improves
mental alertness and functioning consumed as coffee or tea. Inositol is a chemical
compound that is known as alcohol sugar necessary for nervous system modulation. L-
carnitine is naturally occurring fatty acids that boost energy production. Maltodextrin is a
food preservative used to bulk processed food. Guarana is a plant which its seeds contain
caffeine and most manufacturers use this as their natural caffeine. B-vitamins is a water-
soluble vitamin that is essential that keep our bodies running. Lastly, preservatives that
prevent decomposition of microbial growth in an energy drink. (Bhattacharyya et al.,
2016)

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 These ingredients presented in energy drinks are unsafe when taken long-term in
large amounts. Ingesting too much glucose can be an effect of the hypoglycemia which is
present just prior to ingestion. Other effects of this include increased blood glucose,
injection site leakage of fluid (extravasation), injection site inflammation, and bleeding in
the brain (Omudhome Ogbru, 2018). Taurine, according to the pieces of evidence, taurine
doesn’t have any direct effect or side effect (Rudy, Mawer 2016). Panax ginseng extract
is very risky to the health when it comes to long-term intake. The side effect of taking too
much Panax ginseng includes trouble sleeping specifically insomnia. Less commonly,
people experience menstrual problems, breast pain, increased heart rate, high or low
blood pressure, headache, loss of appetite, diarrhea, itching, rash, dizziness, mood
changes, vaginal bleeding, and other side effects (“Find a Vitamin or Supplement:
GINSENG PANAX”, 2016). Glucuronolactone side effects are disorientation, dizziness
and rapid heartbeat (Jonathan, Samson, 2012). Maltodextrin is a preservative made from
corn, potato, rice or wheat and this are the risk of that need to consider spikes Blood
Sugar, suppresses the growth of probiotics, made from genetically modified corn, may
cause an allergic reaction or side effects and has no nutritious value (Josh, Axe 2018).
Guarana is dangerous when it takes high doses and long-term intake. The side effect is
based on how much doses you take. Side effect includes insomnia, nervousness and
restlessness, stomach irritation, nausea, vomiting, increased heart rate and blood pressure,
rapid breathing, tremors, delirium, diuresis, and other side effects. Large guarana doses
might cause a headache, anxiety, agitation, ringing in the ears, pain when urinating,
stomach cramps, and irregular heartbeats (“Find a Vitamin or Supplement: GUARANA”,
2009). B-vitamins side effect is very rare to see because it is a drug but in case if
someone sees any symptoms like this give immediate medical attention this includes
serious allergic reaction, including rash, itching/swelling (especially of the
face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. (“VITAMIN B Complex
Capsule”, 2018).
Most of the consumers are students and athletes, students consume energy drinks
because they want to stay awake in class and to stay alert to well participate in class.
Athletes maintain their faster recovery after the play because usually most of the players
are exhausted they want to recover their stamina. In some cases, people who drink energy
drinks also affect their behaviors in the long run.
II. Caffeine’s Effect on Brain Development and Function
Puberty stands as a precarious period of brain development wherein it is
characterized by comprehensive functional and morphological fluctuations. (Huber,
Kurth, & Olini, 2017) A brain of an adolescent is considered as vulnerable and
unpredictable since, during an early- and mid-puberty, the brain undergoes immense
neural growth involved with the regulation of growth of neurons, meaning that brains in
teenagers are not fully developed and physically fully linked yet. Thus, everything that a
human learns, acts, consumes, changes the brain since it can change periodically and its
ability to remodel itself is possible by establishing new networks between neurons or
brain cells. Connecting this to caffeine (or trimethyl xanthine), caffeine is one of the
globes most generally used a psychoactive drug, a drug that affects the mind. That is why
it is used in beverages such as energy drinks, coffee, black and green tea, and soft drinks
and is also present in chocolates, energy bars, candy bars, and ice cream for a much-
needed stimulation to the brain.

5
 According to Al-Shaar, et al. (2017), it is believed that the potential for caffeine
toxicity from energy drink is greater than other caffeine sources such as coffee or tea due
to inadequate labeling and greater volume of consumption driven by heavy advertising
promoting “more is better,” especially among children and youth. A neuropharmacology
of Griffiths, Hughes, Juliano and Meredith (2013) elaborated that when a caffeinated
beverage is consumed, the stimulant works by blocking the action of adenosine or P1, (an
inhibitory neurotransmitter that acts as a central nervous system depressant that slows
down brain activity which makes the body unable to do activities anymore and makes the
brain tired when fused with its receptors). Thus, when kicked in with caffeine (an
adenosine-receptor antagonist) what it will do is fuse to the same receptors without
reducing brain activity. Resulting of few receptors to be available to the natural action of
adenosine and speeds up brain activity, through this dopamine, serotonin is released and
hormones including norepinephrine and adrenaline is activated which gives the brain a
short-term boost.
Babu, Ganetsky, and Wolk (2012) stated that energy drinks are emerging because
of people’s need, energy drinks are used to be productive or to retain wakefulness for an
extended time. People can achieve better concentration, attention, productivity, learning,
mood and pain relief by consuming caffeinated beverages but the tendency to achieve it
depends upon the greater amount of caffeine taken over time. On the other side, even if
caffeinated drinks can offer these benefits, it is always a must to consider its negative
side. Caffeine as energy drink’s main content extends the consumer’s time of being
awake that usually causes sleep deprivation because of the changes in our body clock.
Moreover, sleep deprivation is the cause of teenager’s high level of stress, stress that
causes anxiety or depression that is possible to lead the teenager to the action of
attempting suicide. Therefore, caffeine intake has an impact on the consumer’s way of
living and is related to emotional changes. (Choi, Kim, & Sim, 2017). These are the
effects that can be experienced: insomnia, tachycardia, jitters, headaches, irritability, and
anxiety. These experiences are caused by stimulating the central nervous system that
tricks the brain. The burst of alertness after drinking caffeinated drinks is followed by
these negative mood fluctuations and the more consumption the worse it gets. In a more
major issue on the brain, when consumed regularly this will result of the brain to produce
more receptors for the brain to be drowsy and get the regeneration that is needed so it
takes more consumption of caffeinated drinks which is not good for the brain since the
more consumption the fewer sleep consumers (preferably teenagers) are getting which
affects the development of the brain since during sleep the pituitary gland releases growth
hormone necessary for the brain to fully mature and that slows down since adolescences
are experiencing chronic lack of sleep. Lack of sleep will result in a decreased of blood
vessels, hypoperfusion (decreased blood flow) that can lead to pathophysiological
conditions in the body.
III. Health Effects of Energy Drink
A. Cognitive and Physical Performance
Usage of caffeine in energy drinks is very common for it is a stimulant which is a
rich source of energy. In fact, caffeine is one of the unregulated ingredients that is widely
used around the world for cognitive and physical performances. (Riva, 2013). When
caffeine is over consumed, it can cause terrible complications and even death.
Consumption of energy drinks increases the physical capability of a person. A significant

6
improvement in muscle performance, endurance, and overall sport-related action are
visible when energy drinks are being consumed. The dosage of caffeine does not affect
the boost you will get from the energy drink, the presence of caffeine no matter how big
or small, it will yield the same body performance (Al-Shaar et al., 2016).
B. Adverse Cardiovascular Effects and Endothelial Functions
Most of the studies on energy drink consumption include the cardiovascular effect
of energy drink to human health specifically because of its caffeine content. Some of
these have shown that energy drink consumption increases systolic, and diastolic blood
pressure, heart rate, and cardiac activity. A prospective observation conducted by
Bhattacharyya et al. (2016) on healthy population shows that subjects who consume two
16-ounce energy drinks did not experience any adverse events but it increases their
systolic blood pressure and it alters their electrolytes that may lead to repolarization
abnormalities. In addition, a 2016 meta-analysis of 15 research studies by Chu et al.
(2016) shows that acute consumption energy of drinks will result in an increase in
systolic and diastolic blood pressure. The researchers also were not able to find any
evidence of the increased in heart rate but still, they suggested that a well-designed study
is needed to make some pioneering conclusions. Some adverse effects also were
monitored Moreover, the experiment conducted by Molnar and Somberg (2015) shows
that caffeine's effect on endothelial function has some conflicting results. The results are
reported to have a favorable and unfavorable effect. The only thing that is clear is that
coffee did not improve endothelial function while energy drink significantly improved it.
In relation to endothelial function, recent reports also reported that there is a relationship
between energy drink abuse and arterial dilation, large arterial dissection and rupture, and
aneurysm formation (Alsunni, 2015).
C. Risk-Seeking Behaviors
Most of the people who consume energy drinks did not notice that what the things
that they do. They didn’t aware of the effect of energy drinks on their attitude or
behavior. And now there is research that correlates consumption of energy drinks with
unhealthy behavior among adolescents and college students, including smoking, alcohol
abuse, drug use, fighting, and risky sexual activity. In a study published in the Journal of
Caffeine Research, a scientist named John Hopkins examined the relationship between
energy drinks and risk-taking behaviors of consumers. The study included a nationwide
sample of 874 young adults, ages 18 to 28, who completed an online survey. The findings
were stark. Respondents who consumed one or more energy drinks per week were twice
as likely to smoke cigarettes and more than twice as likely to abuse prescription and illicit
drugs such as Ritalin and cocaine. Energy drinkers were also more likely to smoke
marijuana (56 percent claimed they had), use prescription opioids such as Vicodin (27
percent), drive without wearing a seatbelt (53 percent), drive while intoxicated (30
percent), and participate in a hazardous sport like snowboarding, bungee jumping, or
parkour, a form of physical training run over a risky obstacle course (26 percent).
Reckless sexual behavior reported by weekly energy drink consumers also was high.
Sixty-three percent said they had engaged in unprotected sex with someone other than
their spouses, and 69 percent said they'd had sex while drunk or high (Rienzi, 2016)
These findings show that youth are most likely to do such unhealthy behaviors when
consuming energy drinks. They do dangerous things that they are unconscious of like the

7
increased use of cigarettes compare to their normal consumption, the urge to try cocaine,
and the mentality to drive without using a seatbelt.
D. Mental Health Effects
The growing number of adverse health effects of consuming energy drink is still
rising together with its consumers being affected. Prior studies have identified many
adverse and advantageous effect of energy drink to the consumer’s mental health. Mental
health benefits of consuming energy drink are lesser than the people imagined, this only
includes boosting our mood while on the adverse mental health effect. In fact, energy
drinks have negative effects on our mental health such as anxiety and depression, mania
or bipolar disorder (this is due to sleeping disorder) and lastly suicide attempts. There are
only limited sources of mental health benefits when it comes to consuming an energy
drink. Mental health benefits are present among consumers that focuses more on the post-
consumption effects of energy drink in retaining wakefulness.
The common mental issues among energy drink consumers are the prevalence of
anxiety, depression, and suicidal attempts after consuming a large number of energy
drinks. As a consumer of energy drinks, people often see the positive outcome of
consuming an energy drink, like how it boosts our performance and their minds to create
something new or to fuel us throughout the time. Energy drinks can also affect not only
the performance, its content also results in different adverse effects on the body and mind
of consumers. Caffeine as energy drink’s main content extends the consumer’s time of
being awake that usually causes sleep deprivation because of the changes in our body
clock. On the other side, sleep deprivation is the cause of teenager’s high level of stress,
stress that causes anxiety or depression that is possible to lead the teenager to the action
of attempting suicide. Therefore, energy drink intake has an impact on the consumer’s
way of living and is related to emotional changes (Choi, Kim & Sim, 2017). The changes
on the consumer’s way of living usually result in another change like how one symptom
result to another until it becomes an illness. Even when the variables like sleep,
performances, and other mental health routines are adjusted anxiety and depression still
occur which is positively connected to suicidal attempt. This is why excessive amount of
energy drinks are dangerous. There is a connection between the emotional changes of a
teenager’s psychological factors, the stress level, performance and their consumption of
energy drink. The more they consume energy drinks, the more severe the adverse effects
can occur.
E. Sleeping Alteration
Energy drinks are marketed as functional beverages that mainly boost athletic
performance, concentration, energy, and even retain wakefulness. (Bhattacharyya et al.,
2016) Therefore all people who want a much-needed enhancement of cognitive and
physical performance will most probably go for energy drinks. As what most people all
are not aware of it is important to focus on getting enough sleep since this is the time
wherein our body’s cell reenergize, cleanses waste (toxins) from the brain which
decreases the potential to have diseases like Alzheimer’s. Additionally, getting sufficient
sleep is important for consumer’s attention and learning process in daytime. So, the sleep
deprivation caused by consuming too much energy drinks can lead to difficulty in
learning a great quantity of information and mental breakdown while awake in the long
period of time.

8
 Sleeping as a necessity of human being always the key to function consistently.
Drinking caffeinated beverages really is a big help to accomplish the responsibilities of
an individual but drinking an energy drink together with having poor quality sleep has
strings attached. Many risks are present, mental health, physical health, cardiovascular
system adverse effects etc. the poor quality of sleep can result in poor performance, loss
of focus and fatigue. (Casillas et al., 2012). In our society mostly all people are
immoderately consuming energy drinks and not getting any sufficient sleep. They do not
put sleep in their list of priorities and drink EDs to alter sleep for they have lots of
important things to do without knowing how it can be dangerous on being dependent on
it.
F. Other Health Effects
Adolescents intake of energy drink also causes changes in their physical state.
Since energy drinks are high in sugar and also contains caffeine it is possible for them to
be obese and there is also a possibility or higher risk of having type 2 diabetes. According
to Housman, Odum, Rivera, and Williams (2017), there are many adverse health effects
of consuming an energy drink, not only in the content of it but also on the way he
consumes other food that it also limits the necessity of the body to consume low sugar
beverages and persuades the mind to consume the unhealthy beverage.
Dietary practices affect adolescence which involves an increase of energy drink
consumption related to high consumption of fried and sugary food. It proves that during
adolescence period high sugar and high fats were the primary sources of increase in body
fats. The research revealed that early type 2 diabetes has something to do with energy
drink consumption. (Housman, Odum & Williams, 2017). The habit of consuming energy
drink beyond the limit encourages the consumer to seek and consume more high sugar
content beverages and food than low sugar beverages or food because one is adapted to
consumed high sugar food without even noticing its effect on the body. The desire to
consume high sugar content products or sweets are labeled with health needs that they
desire. The content of energy drinks along with the drinking habit of the consumer can
give the consumer higher risk of having type 2 diabetes and gaining weight. Consuming
sugary products also can result in larger abdominal because of this issue, the rate of
obesity is rising and the promotion of unhealthy living starts.
IV. Energy Drinks and Alcohol Mixing
Most of the studies about energy drinks are always associated with different risk-
taking behaviors that a person might get from consuming several energy drinks, one
particular behavior that appears to be the most common theme in every study is alcohol
use and consumption. The increasing popularity of energy drinks concurs with the
widespread of young people mixing both energy drinks and alcoholic drinks together.
This naturalized phenomenon is popular because it was assumed that alcohol’s depressant
effect can be countered by energy drinks thus increasing alertness without knowing that
this perception on alcohol intoxication will only lead to a longer frame of drinking
alcohol that also increases the risk of binge drinking in adolescents (Cleaver & Dawodu,
2017). The mix of energy drink and alcohol creates a masking effect that is mistakenly
assumed to reduce mental fatigue and enhance its function. This effect and concept were
reevaluated by Eshel, Manchester, and Marion (2017) in their meta-analysis of 9 studies.
They were able to found out that high caffeine doses and high alcohol levels have nothing
to do with subjective intoxication but other studies concluded that energy drinks motivate

9
the urge to consume more energy drinks. Due to this situation, the attractiveness of
energy drinks to the different aged groups are rising and some researchers including
Fillmore, Maloney, Marczinski, and Stamates (2016) simplified that people who consume
alcohol mixed with energy drinks are more likely to drink more alcohol compared to the
people who only consume alcohol alone. Alcohol mixed with energy drink enhances
stimulation that causes a person to consume more alcohol. In the long run, consuming
energy drinks mixed with alcohol may result to different health problems and risk-taking
behaviors like drinking and driving, excessive alcohol abuse, drug abuse, sexual abuse,
smoking habits and violence (Jasionowski & Nowak, 2016). Given these effects, Eshel,
Manchester, and Marion (2017) added that people who consume energy drinks together
with alcohol will most likely to experience those adverse consequences and events
compared to people who consume energy drinks alone.
A study conducted by Bonanno et al., (2015) among medical students from one
university in Palermo Italy shows that 49% of medical students are consuming energy
drink and alcohol together in one glass while another 2% of them are consuming energy
drinks separately from different glasses. This is predominant in the male with mean age
of 21 years old and it includes male with smoking habits, alcohol, and coffee
consumption. Focusing on consumption rate, that’s a total of 51% medical students
associating energy drink with alcohol is a problematic behavior to consider provided that
these are medical students. Medical students as the subject of that study also reflect a lack
of discipline about energy drink consumption of people even with enough health
professions. As a result, several researchers including Jawaid and Usman (2012)
suggested that proper labeling of the contents of energy drinks should be legalized and
strong health warning should be included in energy drink products because of its
numerous hazards effect. The strong need for awareness also is badly needed among
youth especially children because energy drink markets are growing, therefore, increasing
its availability and accessibility.
V. Most Affected People of Energy Drink Abuse in the Youth
Energy drinks have large market shares, a product that is cheap and offers a good
taste. People see this product as a regular juice drink, only a few people are aware that
this product contains a substance that must not be consumed at a macro level. The way
how energy drinks are being marketed can shape the way how people see this product.
Low cost and high production of energy drinks are one of the biggest factors why people
consume this kind of beverages. People are not aware that energy drinks must not be
taken exceedingly. (Cheetham, Crossley, Lake & Visram, 2017) Advertisement plays a
major role in selling EDs, it controls how and what people perceive in buying such
product by hiding the potential danger of consuming energy drinks. Children are one of
the most vulnerable victims of improper use of energy drinks. The good taste and the cost
of energy drinks can easily lure students especially teenagers to buy this product. This
result to over-consumption of energy drinks Teenagers are one of the most affected
individuals on high energy drink intake and adolescence is something to do with it. A
teenager is more likely to consume oily processed foods which are related to drinking
flavored beverage such as energy drinks. Adolescence effect dietary practices which
involve an increase of energy drink consumption related to high consumption of fried and
sugary food. It proves that during adolescence period high sugar and high fats were the
primary sources of increase in body fats. The research revealed that early type 2 diabetes

10
is something to do with energy drink consumption. (Housman, Odum & Williams, 2017).
An increase of fat and sugar intake means an increase consumption of energy drinks.
Flavored products are very popular especially among teens and it is becoming a huge
threat to public safety. Not only the caffeine content of energy drinks is dangerous but
also its sugar content. The high sugar content of energy drinks can lead to the
development of diabetes. Overconsumption of youngsters has long-term and short-term
effects to the body, it gives the body additional energy yet when consumed over time
multiple implications will occur. Students in Saudi Arabia are most likely to consume
energy drinks to give them the boost that they need to increase their academic
performances. For other students, energy drinks are consumed because of its appealing
flavor. Students do not pay attention to the high risk of the drinks they are consuming.
(Alrasheedi, 2017) Abusive consumption of energy drinks is very prevalent on students.
Youth are the most affected by high caffeine content of energy drinks because it provides
additional energy and concentration. Students’ academic task affects how often they
would need energy drinks. Most students are not aware that energy drinks contain
caffeine, a very significant problem to what other researchers have observed. Lack of
awareness is the main reason why students keep patronizing energy drinks. The overall
perception of energy drinks forces the youth to patronize this product even more.
VI. Conclusion
The above discussion has highlighted the common content of energy drinks and
it's health effects when consumed habitually. It evaluates a range of literature review and
experimental studies that focuses mostly on the adverse effects of energy drinks and the
behavioral changes that a consumer might undergo when consuming energy drinks. It has
been concluded by the different researchers that most of the ingredients of energy drinks
have bad to worst effects when ingested exceedingly. The concentration of these
ingredients in one bottle or container made an energy drink a highly delicate beverage.
For most of the consumers, health precaution is not a thing to consider when buying or
consuming energy drinks. It is because marketing controls how and what consumer
perceive in buying such product by hiding the potential danger of consuming energy
drinks. Added to this, the government monitoring of its contents and ingredients are not
that strict compared to the other risky beverages.
This situation is also applicable in the Philippines where the urge of the youth to
drink the energy drink is chronic. It is perhaps unsurprising then, that besides energy
drinks negative health effects, there are only a few studies in the Philippines that talks
mostly about these matters. So, the purpose of this review is to give insights about the
significant finding on energy drinks and its health effects to consumers. These findings
will serve as a basis for interpreting the toxicity levels of different contents and
ingredients of localized energy drinks in the Philippines that will be analyzed in the next
chapters.

11
 Chapter 3

METHODOLOGY

Research Design
There is an increasing level of Dinalupiheños drinking energy drinks in their
every life and majority of them drink an energy drink to increase concentration, energy,
and wakefulness. Specifically, students usually consume it for late night school works
purposes while athletes consume it to increase their athletic performances during official
or practice game. The true problem is that behind energy drinks negative health effects,
people still consume it. With that situation, a combination of descriptive, quantitative
research method, a survey was used to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of
energy drinking habits of Dinalupiheños.
Descriptive method was used to evaluate the energy drinking habits of Dinalupiheños.
The descriptive method allowed the researchers to identify the current energy
consumption issue in Dinalupihan starting from the basic pattern of drinking up to the
possible negative effects that the people are experiencing from drinking it.
The quantitative research method was developed that enabled the researchers to
prove that there is an existing problem related to energy drinking habits of people in
Dinalupihan and the toxicity levels of energy drinks that affect the consumers. The
consumer’s consumption, drinking habits, and energy drinks health effects were the main
focus of the research which h were evaluated using a survey questionnaire. The survey
composed of tick boxes, essay, scaled questions, and open-ended questions.
This study is a basic research that critically aims to determine the current situation
of Dinalupiheños when it comes to energy drinking and their knowledge about its effect.
This will allow the researchers to raise and provide awareness regarding energy drinks
toxicity and its negative effect on consumer’s body. The findings in this study can be the
groundbreaking part of raising the awareness of the Dinalupiheños when consuming
functional beverages.

Units of Analysis and Sampling

The researchers conducted a survey to test the following factors: knowledge,
attitudes, and practices of people on energy drinks and its health effects, the possible side
effects of energy drinks to their body, the consumption rate of the consumers, and their
drinking habits. The localize approach of the study will allow researchers to identify the
different behavioral pattern of Dinalupiheños regarding energy drink consumption.

Research Instrument
The researchers were obliged to use two research instruments to specify the data
that is being studied. A verified questionnaire will be used to determine the three most
consumed energy drink that is being consumed by Dinalupiheños and their drinking
habits. In measuring the toxicity of the contents and ingredients of energy drinks, the

12
three most consumed energy drinks will be acquired for an analytical lab test. The
following are further distinguished in the following paragraphs.
A letter of motivation is accompanied by the questionnaire explaining the purpose and
reason of the research. The questionnaire includes a variety of structured questionnaires
wherein the chosen respondents were given a set of options to choose from close to their
own position and two open-ended questionnaires to give the respondents an opportunity
to express their views related to the topic. The fondness of the structured questionnaires
is hypothesized on several research presumptions to avoid bias, minor pressurized and
sensitive questions and give the respondents an opportunity to be anonymous. The
questionnaire contains five sections. The first one seeks to gather data concerning the
demographic profile of the respondents which includes the respondent’s name that can be
optional, occupation, age, and sex. The second part of the questionnaire asks about the
familiarity of energy drinks. The third part seeks to evaluate the respondents with the
familiarity of the effects of energy drinks, and the last part seeks to know the drinking
habits of the respondents. Responses are restricted to four-point Likert scale: (1) Agree;
(2) Strongly Agree; (3) Disagree; (4) Strongly Disagree.

Data Gathering Procedures

Before conducting the questionnaire, the first step used was to ask for an approval
from the school principal and the research adviser to conduct the questionnaire and the
analytical laboratory test. The study was then conducted for two weeks with a set of
questionnaires accompanied by different Dinalupiheños each day. In conducting, the
researchers will still retrieve all of the questionnaires considering that they did not
abandon the respondents but only gave enough space for them to concentrate on the
questionnaires. After collecting all the data, the researchers will then tally the answers of
the consumers from different categories for data analysis.

Data Analysis Procedures

A mix of quantitative and qualitative research approach was used by the
researchers. Questionnaires and data analysis were used to gather the desired data.
Questionnaires were given only to random people living in the town of Dinalupihan. The
respondents were then group according to their demographic profile that represents their
age bracket. Twelve years old to be the youngest while 67 years old to be the oldest and
age brackets were slit to 5 groups; 12-21, 22-31, 32-41, 42-51, 52-67. To measure the
validity of the research, survey questionnaires split into different categories such as
knowledge of our respondents to energy drinks, their consumption, the side effects they
felt and their drinking habits. The researcher manually tallied each objective question and
summarized subjective questions then assigned values to the variables present in the
survey to provider researchers measurable outcome. The important part that surveys
provided was the specification of the current energy drinking habits of Dinalupiheños
with these following factors: occupation, hobby, sex, and age. This helped the researchers
to see what the common theme among Dinalupiheños that keeps on letting them drink
energy drinks.

Budget
1. Survey Photocopy P 200

13
2. Whole Research Paper Print P 100
3. Clear Book P 60
4. Book Bind P 100

14
Timetable

December January February March

Research Activities 1 11 21 5 8 13 6 11 15 23 10 12 13 16 17

Formulation of Research Ideas

Research Ideas Proposal

Writing of Chapter 1 -
Introduction
Annotated Bibliographies
Writing of Chapter 2 - RRL
Designing of Data Collection
Method - Survey
Distribution of Survey
(Dinalupihan)
Writing Chapter 3 -
Methodology
Finalizing of Surveys
Interpretation of Data from
Surveys
Data Analysis
Writing of Chapter 4 - Results

Making of Presentation for Oral

Defense

Oral Defense
Writing of Chapter 5 -
Recommendation and
Conclusions
Revising of Whole Research
Paper
15
Finalizing Research Output
The researchers
The researchers wanted to raise awareness about the toxicity level of energy drinks
because the researchers believe the different localized energy drinks have their own level
of toxicity based on its contents and ingredients. The habitual intake of energy drinks
together with the number of cases that are being reported daily in relation to energy
drinks. According to the point of view of the researchers, their stance behind this study is
to clarify if energy drinks really cause adverse health effects and its relation to the
toxicity content of the energy drink. The belief that consuming energy drinks has positive
effects are not enough to compensate for its negative effects on consumers’ health. This
kind of issue in the town of Dinalupihan is not the focus of the professionals because
most the incidents related to energy drinks adverse health effects are sometimes not
reaching the health offices. They are no public precautions and advisories about the effect
of energy drinks in one’s health.
The researchers are currently studying at Saint John Academy Senior High school
as grade 12 students under STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)
strand. The researchers are part of the strand organization called “Stematrix”, an
organization for career-oriented STEM students with technological and innovative plans.
During the first year of researchers in senior high school, they already completed a
practical research course. Their works include a quantitative research about guava soap,
shelf life of fruits and vegetables, water purification, and kitchen DNA isolation.
The researchers also completed a junior high school education at Saint John
Academy, this completion includes completion of an investigatory project (Gr. 9) and
qualitative research (Gr.10). Having these as background knowledge for conducting a
research made them eligible for this kind of research environments.

Chapter 4

Results and Discussion

IV. Presentation and Analysis of Data

This chapter of the paper presents the data gathered from the 160 people around
Dinalupihan who served as respondents of this research. It also provides the analysis and
interpretation of data that has been organized according to the research questions
enumerated in the second chapter of this paper.

IV.1 Demographic Profile of the Respondents

This section is composed of figures and tables relative to the demographic
information given by the respondents in the questionnaire. This included data on sex, age,
and occupation which has a relation to individuals energy drink consumption. Although
not central to this research, these data helped contextualize the findings and the
formulation of appropriate recommendations.

16
 Status Sex

9%
24%
Working
Male
Student 48%
52% Female
Ordinary
67%

Figure 1. Current Status of the Figure 2. Distribution of Respondents

Respondents by Sex

67% percent of the 160 Dinalupiheños who participated the research are students,
24% of 160 Dinalupiheños are workers and the remaining 9% of the 160 Dinalupiheños
are the ordinary people. (See Figure 1.) 52% percent of the 160 Dinalupiheños who
participated the research are males and the remaining 48% of 160 Dinalupiheños are
females. (See Figure 2.)

Aged groups
0%

Teenagers (13 – 18)

9% Young Adults (19 – 25)

10%
Adulthood (26 – 40)
21% 60%
Middle aged persons (41-
60)
Old Age (61+)

Figure 3. Aged groups of the Respondents

17
 60% of the 160 Dinalupiheños who participated the research are teenagers, 21%
of the 160 Dinalupiheños who participated the research are young adults, 10% of the 160
Dinalupiheños who participated the research are adults, and the remaining 9 percent of
160 Dinalupiheños who participated the research are middle-aged persons.

In general, the sex, age, and current status of the respondents can be a factor that relates
to their energy drinking habits. The respondents were chosen using simple random
sampling which made 60% of the teenagers to be the majority respondents. In that
situation, the data analysis of this research will most likely reflect the energy drinking
habits of teenagers for they are the biggest population who participated the research.

IV.2 Survey Introduction

Q1: Do you know what an ED is?

2%

Know ED
Don't know ED

98%

Figure 4. Knowledge about Energy Drink

98% of the 160 Dinalupiheños who participated the research know what an
energy drink is and the remaining 2% do not know energy drinks. (See Figure 4). The
remaining 2% do not literally mean that they are completely unaware of what an energy
drink is. What made them think that they do not know energy drink is that they are
unaware of the concepts of energy drink and its contents particularly.

18
 Usual Energy Drinks
A. Cobra

B. Milo
5%
5% 5% C. Sting
23%
D. Extra Joss
8%
E. Red Bull
15%
F. Monster
39%
Others:(Gatorade, Quaker Oats
Drink, Booster C, Vitamilk)

Figure 5. The Usual Energy Drinks Dinalupiheños Encounter

Top 3 Consumed Energy Drinks

3%
Cobra
3% Sting
6% 22%
14% Milo
Gatorade
16% Red Bull
36% Extra Joss
Monster

Figure 6. The Top 3 Energy Drinks that Dinalupiheños Consume

The top three energy drinks that the Dinalupiheños usually encounter is Milo
Energy Drink (39%), Cobra Energy Drink (23%), and Sting Energy Drink (15%). See
Figure 5. The remaining 18% of the respondents answered Monster Energy Drink, Red
Bull, and Extra Joss while the remaining 5% answered “Others” and they enumerate
some beverages that are not commercially known as energy drink namely Gatorade,
Quaker Oats Drink, and Booster C. Based on the data collected, some respondents do not
know that Gatorade is a sport drink, not an energy drink.
The top three most consumed energy drinks in Dinalupihan according to the
respondents are Milo Energy Drink (26%), Cobra Energy Drink (22%), and Sting Energy
Drink (16%). (See Figure 6). These energy drinks are also the usually encountered energy
drinks of the Dinalupiheños. (See Figure 5). Branding, marketing, and availability of
energy drinks possibly play a big factor in evoking people to consume these beverages.
The energy drinks that they usually encounter will most likely end up as their choice of
energy drink consumption.

19
IV.3 Consumption

Question: How often do you drink energy drinks?

A. Daily
12%
10% B. Every other day
47% C. Twice a week
16%
D. Once a week
15% F. Once a month

Figure 7. Dinalupiheños Frequency of Energy Drink Consumption

Cans Per Day Cans

2%
Per Week
2% 2% 5% 3%
5%

1 can
1 can
31% 2 cans
2 cans
46% 3 cans
3 cans 44% 5 cans
60% 5 cans
20 cans

Figure 7.1 Cans Per Day Figure 7.2. Cans Per Week

Cans Per Month Cans Per Session

1 can 0%
2 cans 7%
3 cans 1%
7%
1% 13%
% 1 can
3%
3% 5 cans
5% 2 cans
9% 16 cans
47% 3 cans
20 cans
21% 28 cans 92% 5 cans
30 cans
80 cans

Figure 7.3. Cans Per Month Figure 7.4. Cans Per Session

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 The frequency of energy drink consumption of the 160 Dinalupiheños who
participated in this study shows that 47% of them are consuming energy drinks daily,
10% of them are consuming energy drinks every other day, 16% of them are consuming
energy drink twice a week, 15% of them are consuming energy drinks once a week, and
the remaining 12% consume energy drink once a month. (See Figure 7). The daily
consumption of energy drink among the Dinalupiheños are relatively high compared to
the ones who consume energy drinks once a month and once a week combined.

The researchers also provided specific questions that may gather the specific cans
of energy drink that the people consume per day, week, month, and session. Per day
consumption gathered an 60% of 1 can consumption as the highest. (See Figure 7.1). Per
week consumption gathered a 46% 1 can consumption as the highest, some included that
they have consumed 20 cans of energy drink in one week. (See Figure 7.2) Per month
consumption gathered a 49% 1 can consumption as the highest, some people even
mentioned that they consume 16-20 cans of energy drinks per month. (See Figure 7.3)
Per session consumption gathered a 92% of 1 can consumption as the highest and some
even experienced consuming 5 cans per session. (See Figure 7.4) The gathered data from
these specific questions came out to be problematic considering that in just a per day
consumption basis a lot of people said that they consume energy drink per day.

IV.4 Effects

Knowledge of Respondents: Energy

Drink Effects Figure 8.
Knowledge of
Respondents:
22%
Energy Drink
Yes Effects
No
78%

Experienced Side Effects

Figure 8.1.
Experienced Side
Effects of Energy
39% Yes Drinks
61% No

21
 Figure 8 shows that 78% of 160 Dinalupiheños are knowledgeable about the
effects of energy drinks (negative and positive) while the remaining 22% are not
knowledgeable about the effects of energy drinks. 61% of the people who participated the
research experience energy drinks side effects (negative) while the remaining 39% do not
experience any side effects in consuming energy drinks. The Dinalupiheños were also
able to mention the different effects and side effects that they know about energy drinks.
These are the effects:

Energy Drink Effects

Positive Negative
1. Energy Boost 1. Palpitation
2. Extended Wakefulness 2. High blood
3. Strengthen Body 3. Headache
4. Increase Cognitive Skills 4. Diabetes
5. Adrenaline 5. Heart Attack
6. Lessen the effect of Alcohol 6. Sleeping Alteration
7. Boost Metabolism 7. Acidity

IV.5 Drinking Habits

This section is devoted to presenting, analyzing, and interpreting data gathered
through the survey relevant to the energy drinking habit of Dinalupiheños. Information
regarding this variable is based on their responses to 3 questions and 2 situations. In each
of these statements, respondents were asked to rate their level of agreement along with a
four-point Likert scale that includes Strongly Disagree (SD), Disagree (D), Agree (A),
and Strongly Agree (SA).

Situation 1

7% Would you still

Strongly Agree energy drinks if
30%
Agree it is proven to
38% be harmful?
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
25%

Figure 9. Situation 1

22
 Situation 2

7% 6% You consume
Strongly Agree
19% energy drinks
Agree for its flavor.
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
68%

Figure 9.2. Situation 2

Situation 3

Can energy
11%4% drinks lessen
Strongly Agree
the effect of
Agree
44% alcohol?
Disagree
41%
Strongly Disagree

Figure 9.3. Situation 3

23
 Situation 4

You consume
energy drinks to
11% 8%
give yourself
Strongly Agree
additional
21% Agree
muscle
Disagree endurance.
Strongly Disagree
60%

Figure 9.4. Situation 4

Situation 5

Can energy
6% 14% drinks make
19% Strongly Agree you more
Agree focused on
Disagree
your task?
Strongly Disagree
61%

Figure 9.5. Situation 5

24
 Strongly
Situations Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Total
Disagree
1 11 (7%) 61 (38%) 40 (25%) 48 (30%) 160
2 10 (6%) 108 (68%) 31 (19%) 11 (7%)
160
3 6 (4%) 70 (44%) 66 (41%) 18 (11%) 160
4 13 (8%) 96 (60%) 33 (21%) 18 (11%) 160
5 22 (14%) 97 (61%) 31 (19%) 10 (6%) 160

Summary of Drinking Habits

Even if the 55% of respondents did not agree that they will consume energy
drinks even if it is proven to be harmful, still 45% of respondents agreed that they will
consider consuming it. The following reasons are as follows: 1.) 76% of the respondents
agreed that they consume energy drinks for its flavor. 2.) 48% of the respondents agreed
that they consume energy drinks to lessen the effect of alcohol. 3.) 68% of the
respondents agreed that they consume energy drinks to give themselves addition muscle
endurance. 4.) 75% of the respondents agreed that energy drinks make them focused on
their task.
The results show a resisting behavior of the Dinalupiheños toward their energy
drinking addiction to the fact that half of the respondents prefer drinking energy drinks
even if it is proven to be harmful. The results are alerting because energy drinking can
lead to different negative health effects and the worst can lead to death as stated in
Chapter 2 of this research paper.

Chapter 5

Conclusions and Recommendations

This chapter covers the summary of findings, the conclusions based on the
findings and recommendations drawn for further study enhancement. This study is on the
general outcomes from the evaluation of knowledge, attitudes, and practices of energy
drinking habits among Dinalupiheños.
Conclusions

This chapter contains the conclusions drawn from the analysis and interpretation
of the data discussed in the preceding chapter and the recommendations of the
researchers based on the conclusions.

1. The addiction of Dinalupiheños on energy drink consumption can be likened to

tobacco smoking habit wherein the desire to consume the product even if it brings
adverse health effects is still strong.
2. The flavor of energy drinks, its lessening effect on alcohol, its involvement on
muscle endurance, and its task focusing contributions are the major factors that urge
Dinalupiheños to still consume energy drinks behind its adverse health effects.

25
 3. Some Dinalupiheños do not know the difference between energy drinks and
sports drinks. They mistakenly labeled some functional beverages as energy drinks that
brings no harm in their body, this results to more energy drinks consumption.
4. Majority of the Dinalupiheños are knowledgeable about the negative and
positive effects of energy drinks in human body and the energy drinks itself.

Recommendations

Based on the conclusions, the following recommendations are proposed:

1. Future researchers might consider the analysis of ingredients of energy drinks
to further understand the toxicity levels of each energy drinks. In this matter, it will allow
the future researchers to provide a specific amount of energy drinks that should only be
consume.
2. Our government should strictly monitor the production of energy drinks or the
importation of these products in our country because some brands are produced with low
regulation.
3. Our health government should also prioritize disseminating information about
energy drinks, its positive and negative health effects on human body, and its health
adverse effects.
4. People who are fond of consuming energy drinks especially the sportsperson
should lessen the intake of energy drinks. The researchers also recommend sticking to the
regular sports drinks rather than consuming energy drinks.

26