New study raises concerns over mixing energy drinks with alcohol

New concerns are being raised by a study from North Kentucky University about the increased risks of combining alcohol with an energy drink.

An estimated 30 per cent to 50 per cent of teenagers and young adults in the United States consume energy drinks, which often contain high amounts of caffeine or stimulant such as guarana.  

The study showed that the high level of caffeine masked the effects of the alcohol, so people drinking the combination felt less impaired than they really were.

Some people refer to the state of intoxication the consumer feels by these drinks as being "wide-awake drunk."

The concern caused by this study is over the possibility that those people who consume energy drinks with alcohol may be more likely to drink more, drive, swim, or jump from heights while feeling this intoxication.

This is the first study to analyze how the effects of an alcohol-energy drink combination differs from those of drinking alcohol alone.

The research will be published in the Journal Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research.