Vitamin B12-filled energy drinks are popular with folks who prefer to take their caffeine fruity and cold, but according to recent FDA reports, there have been 5 deaths directly linked with the popular Monster Energy Drinks, plus one non-fatal heart attack. Here’s the scoop on beverages that claim to boost energy with vitamin B12.
The FDA is currently investigating 5 mortalities that occurred directly after consumption of the famous vitamin B12 energy drinks, which also contain 240 milligrams of caffeine per serving. That’s seven times the amount of caffeine you would get from a bottle of classic Coca Cola.
According to the parents of 14-year-old Anais Fournier, who died of heart failure six days after drinking two cans of the energy drinks in a two-day period, the Monster Energy Company failed to warn people about the significant health risks from drinking their caffeinated beverages. An autopsy revealed that her death was caused by toxic caffeine levels in her blood supply.
Energy drink health claims
According to the Monster Energy Drink label, the incredible surge of stamina and productivity you get from chugging down one of their drinks comes from all the natural vitamins and botanicals included- vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) for energy, ginseng, and various other B vitamins.
They also vaguely list that the produce contains 2500mg of an “energy blend,” a formula of their own device that includes caffeine…but it’s unclear exactly how much of their get-up-and-go brew is made up of caffeine, and how much is just sugar and other equally unhealthy chemicals.
Energy Drinks and B Vitamins- Just the Facts, Please
The claims are misleading – while it’s true that vitamin B12 boosts energy, sustains mental alertness, and promotes feelings of wellbeing, the artificial rush you get from Monster Energy is really the result of caffeine overdose, and not healthy vitamin B12 supplementation.
Get your energy and vitamin B12
For a natural, healthy dose of energy-producing vitamin B12, forget Monster Energy Drinks. Though they’re packed with vitamin B12 (cobalamin), which is proven to increase stamina, they’re also loaded with dangerous amounts of caffeine.
Instead, get your vitamin B12 more efficiently (and safely) from cobalamin supplements that dispense vitamin B12 directly into your bloodstream, for maximum potency and digestibility.
Popular methods for getting vitamin B12 include B12 shots and sublingual tablets, but other forms of over-the-counter (OTC) vitamin B12 are also available, without the need for doctor’s visits or health insurance.
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Sources:
FDA: 5 Death Reports for Monster Energy Drink
Monster Energy Drink-Death Connection Possible In 5 Cases Since 2004, Report Shows
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