Doctors have called attention to the “black market” sale of energy drinks created by YouTube sensation Logan Paul.
Paul, who calls himself “an artist, boxer, and wrestler” and has over 23 million subscribers on YouTube, announced his partnership with the KSI drink company in January 2022.
Prime Hydration, marketed as a sports drink, has become the official drink of Premier League team Arsenal and will be heavily featured at UFC events.
Medical professionals are concerned about a version of Prime Energy that contains high amounts of caffeine.
Prime Energy may not be widely available, but international and local websites allow its sale in Australia.
Energy drinks are not allowed to contain more than 32mg caffeine per 100mL, according to Food Standards Australia New Zealand.
Prime Energy, while caffeine-free, contains 200mg in a 350ml bottle, which is approximately 57mg for every 100ml.
The Daily Telegraph quoted Dr Nicole Higgins as the president of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. “I am aware that these drinks are popular on the black market, particularly among youth.”
Prime Energy drinks are not for you. The drinks are banned in Australia because they contain a high level of caffeine.
Prime’s website warns that the energy drink should not be consumed by those who are under 18, pregnant, or caffeine-sensitive.
In a 2016 study by the University of Adelaide, drinking more than two energy drinks per day was associated with “adverse reactions to the heart” like palpitations.
The paper published in the International Journal of Cardiology examined patients between 13 and 40 years old who had heart palpitations when they presented at an emergency department in South Australia.
70% of respondents reported drinking energy drinks.
