Forums: Caffeine

The popular, formerly caffeinated, fruity alcoholic beverage, Four Loko, has been blamed for the spike in alcohol-related hospitalizations, especially throughout college campuses. Initially, caffeine was deemed the culprit and the Food and Drug Administration ordered all traces of caffeine to be removed from Four Loko and all other similar beverages. However, according to an upcoming evaluation in Perspectives on Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science, caffeine might not be the primary cause of the spike in hospitalizations. “Four Loko didn’t have the extraordinary intoxicating effect because of caffeine, but rather because of the phenomenon of situational...

The FDA is expected to declare caffeine additives in alcoholic drinks as unsafe this week, according to Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y. This will effectively ban such products. But it’s unclear how effective the ban will be. The alcoholic energy drink craze developed from nightclub patrons mixing Red Bull and vodka to stay up partying long into the night. Bartenders will continue to serve up such cocktails, and it’s not exactly rocket science for people at home.

A cheap drink that combines alcohol and caffeine will be off Oklahoma store shelves next month. Alcohol regulators said they want to stop sales of Four Loko and will target other alcohol drinks that contain energy additives. The Oklahoma Alcoholic Beverage Laws Enforcement Commission put a moratorium on all alcoholic beverages containing caffeine, guarana and taurine. Experts said one can of Four Loko is like drinking a six-pack of light beer and two cups of coffee. It also sells for less than $2 per can, which makes it popular with cost-conscious young people. "This malt beverage is actually half as...

A British man died after poisoning himself with two spoonfuls of caffeine powder bought over the internet, local media reported Friday. Michael Lee Bedford, 23, from Mansfield, central England, was at a party in April when he swallowed caffeine powder that a friend bought online for £3.29 ($5.26), Nottingham Coroner’s Court heard Thursday. He washed the powder down with an energy drink, and around 15 minutes later began sweating and vomiting blood. He later died at King’s Mill Hospital in Nottinghamshire, central England, the Nottingham Post reported. The court heard that Bedford ignored the product's recommendation to take no more...