Argentina cool to excess caffeine

along with france, denmark and norway...

(thanks to an nyt reader in buenos aires...)

Energy drinks, which have become a $3 billion business since their introduction in the United States eight years ago, are expected to accelerate profit growth for the beverage industry more than any other drink category in the next few years.

[...]

But that has scientists and nutritionists worried. Energy drinks have as much sugar and roughly three times the caffeine of soda, and some experts peg their popularity to their addictiveness. And with racy names like Full Throttle, Rockstar and Adrenaline Rush, critics say these drinks are fostering caffeine addiction among teenagers.

Caffeine can cause hyperactivity and restlessness among children and is known to increase the excretion of calcium, a mineral much needed while bones are still growing.

Energy drink manufacturers say they do not market to children and their products have no more caffeine than a typical cup of coffee. But the debate persists. Four countries have barred the sale of energy drinks with current levels of caffeine: France, Denmark, Norway and, two months ago, Argentina.

[...]

Critics contend that much of the skyrocketing growth of energy drinks comes because consumers are getting physically addicted, either by consuming the concoctions daily or guzzling several at a time to elevate their mood.

Roland Griffiths, a professor of behavioral biology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, says the amount of caffeine necessary to produce dependency and withdrawal symptoms is about 100 milligrams a day. A can of energy drink has 80 to 160 milligrams, depending on the size, though such information is not listed on any cans. An eight-ounce cup of coffee typically has 100 to 150 milligrams.

Some energy brands go so far as to promote their addictiveness as a selling point. "Meet your new addiction! 16 oz's of super charged energy with advanced components and a great berry-passion fruit flavor," reads the front page of Pepsi's SoBe No Fear Web site. Cans of Kronik Energy, made by an Arizona company, warn customers, "Caution: May Be Psychologically Addicting," meant as a daring come-on, not a serious warning.

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