The surest way to know that there is no truly effective treatment for a condition is to count the number of treatment recommendations. The more recommendations, the less likely it is that any of them have a significant effect. I’m not sure if there is a tipping point. Whether 6 or 12 or 20 recommended treatments guarantee that you will have less than complete cure.

Here are some of the recommendations from just one article.

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Energy drinks are consumed by 30% to 50% of adolescents and young adults. The manufacturers claim they are safe.

Researchers at the University of Miami, in Florida reviewed the evidence and came to a different conclusion. (more…)

The relationship between coffee or caffeine consumption and depression is not well defined.

Researchers in Boston and New York report a connection. (more…)

One hundred years ago, German physician Alois Alzheimer described “eine eigenartige Erkrankung der Hirnrinde” (a peculiar disease of the cerebral cortex) in Auguste Deter, a 51-year-old woman who had severe memory, language, and behavior problems. His autopsy results revealed a dramatically shrunken brain and unusual abnormalities in and around brain cells (shown here in black).

What’s this got to do with caffeine? (more…)

Researchers at Central South University, in Hunan, China studied the effect of curcumin (turmeric) on drug metabolizing enzymes.

Their findings suggest a risk for curcumin-drug interactions. (more…)

Guarana (Paullinia cupana) extracts are popular in energy drinks, teas, and capsules.

In this study, taking guarana improved mental performance and reduced the mental fatigue associated with tasks requiring a sustained mental effort.

How’d it do that? (more…)

Reviewers from The New York Headache Center concluded, “The identification of food triggers, with the help of food diaries, is an inexpensive way to reduce migraine headaches.”

Here’s their list of triggers and treatments. (more…)

These study results differ from past research, but it’s probably a better study. (more…)

The US Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers not to buy or use Hardcore Energize Bullet (photo) or New Whey liquid products  due to suspected product tampering.

The products are sold in small test tube-like vials. (more…)

The results of this study do not support the contention these supplements enhance either muscle strength or anaerobic exercise performance.

But a reader disputes the validity of the results. (more…)

Trying to eliminate caffeine from your diet? Chances are you’ll have to try harder. Here’s a comparison of the caffeine content in a variety of coffees.

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This study by researchers at Malmö University in Sweden suggests that the development of breast cancer might be delayed in women who drink more than 2 cups of coffee each day and have a certain form of the enzyme CYP1A2.

Before you drink more coffee, read on. (more…)

 The International Olympic Committee no longer bans caffeine and ephedrine-related alkaloids.

So, what’s their effect on muscular strength and anaerobic power? (more…)

Contrary to popular thinking, drinking more coffee appears to lower the risk. (more…)

Here’s the latest information from 2 studies from Dartmouth University in New Hampshire and Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. (more…)

Recently, 4 patients experienced seizures multiple times following heavy consumption of energy drinks. The authors proposed that energy drinks rich in caffeine, taurine, and guarana seed extract could have provoked these seizures.

Here’s what we know about guarana thanks to researchers from the University of Florida at Gainesville and the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA) in Amazonas, Brazil. (more…)

They don’t contain ephedra.

This might seem intuitive, but with supplements you can’t be sure until you test.
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It’s commonly recommended that exercising adults and athletes avoid caffeine because it’s a diuretic, and might exacerbate dehydration and hyperthermia.

Researchers from the University of Connecticut reviewed the literature. (more…)

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has released its biennial revision of “the yellow book,” a health guide for international travel.

It’s comprehensive. The focus here is on Chapter 6: Jet Lag. (more…)

According to the manufacturer, this carbonated beverage, which contains green tea extract, calcium, and caffeine, burns about 100 calories for every three 12-ounce cans consumed. (more…)