In
2001, the drink was investigated by the
Swedish National Food Administration after being linked to the deaths of three consumers. It has been subject to a number of other health concerns regarding
glucuronolactone, a
precursor of
taurine. Sale of Red Bull as a normal soft drink is prohibited in
Denmark,
Norway,
France and
Uruguay. Due to the link with
taurine, local authorities categorized Red Bull as a medicine and suggest customers ask for medical advice before drinking. Because of this, only energy drinks without taurine are sold in France. The official imported Canadian Red Bull is a caffeinated version of Thai Krating Daeng. Until late
2004, its sale was prohibited in
Canada. Now a can must carry a warning label that says:
Cautions: Contains caffeine. Not recommended for children, pregnant or breast-feeding women, caffeine sensitive persons or to be mixed with alcohol. Do not consume more than 500
mL per day.
However, no such warning label is present on cans sold in the UK, though people who consume the beverage in excess (more than 2-5 250 mL tins in a 24-hour period) have been known to express discomfort, such as nausea, diarrhea, stomach pains, gas, and/or sleeplessness.
British supermarket chain
Morrisons refuses to sell Red Bull to customers under the age of 16. In
Finland, some shops only sell 1 canister of the drink at a time to under 18 year olds. Attempting to buy 2 canisters or more requires customers to prove their age, as if they were buying
alcoholic beverages.
Red Bull made the news in Ireland after two
hurling players died after drinking Red Bull at half-time in a club game.
Doctors and nutritionists have warned of the dangers of mixing caffeine and
alcohol in excessive quantities. Their warnings, however, are often unheeded as many people feel that the benefits of mixing Red Bull with alcohol far outweigh the risks and use stimulants such as caffeine in order to avoid getting drowsy while
drunk. Mixing Red Bull with alcohol (most commonly
Vodka and
Jägermeister) has become increasingly popular among college-aged crowds and club goers. Heavier drinkers of alcoholic Red Bull drinks have cited "euphoric feelings." Many studies have been performed to determine the actual effects on the human body after consumption of Red Bull with alcohol, most finding solely that the mixing of a depressant with an energy drink can lead to
abnormal heart rhythms and future heart problems.
[1]
Compare with the results of clinical trials
PMID 11897259.
The director of biomaterials research at the University of Maryland Dental School in Baltimore found the most wear to tooth enamel occurred, in descending order, from exposure to lemonade, energy drinks (especially those with citrus (i.e.
Citric acid) flavors such as Red Bull), sports drinks, fitness water, iced tea and cola.
[2]
