"Is Dunkin' new energy drink a game-changer or a health hazard? The shocking truth revealed!"

 America has been running on Dunkin' for a long time. But the brand is making sure it keeps its customers caffeinated with its latest offering : the "Sparkd' Energy" drink.

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The iced drink was added to menus nationwide on Wednesday ahead of spring, according to a press release from the brand. It's said to provide a "revitalizing burst of energy, made with vitamins, minerals, and a kick of caffeine," and comes in two "sparkling fruit" flavors: Berry Burst and Peach Sunshine.

Dunkin' says the drink is intended to bring a "new perspective on the classic idea of ​​energy drinks." However, if the menu additions sound at all familiar, you're not wrong. In fact, Panera Bread's "Charged Lemonade," which is a similar fruit drink that contains caffeine, has made headlines as the brand faces multiple lawsuits claiming that the stimulant-filled drink is linked to hospitalizations and even two deaths.

So why has Dunkin' thrown its hat into the energy drink ring, and how much caffeine does this Spark Energy contain? Here's what you need to know.

What's the new Dunkin' drink?

The fruit drink appears to have similar appeal to the brand's already popular "Dunkin' Refreshers," which contains 132 mg of caffeine from green tea in a large 32-ounce cup. In contrast, Spark's Energy drink contains 192 mg of caffeine in the same order of magnitude. Both are less than the 347 mg of caffeine served in a large cup of Dunkin' cold brew.

Dunkin's Sparkd' Energy Drink also has less than 234 mg of caffeine per large 30-ounce cup of Panera's Charged Lemonade (although its caffeine content was listed as 390 mg as recently as October 2023). The nature of the caffeine in each drink is also different. Sparkd' Energy relies solely on a blend of guarana seeds for its caffeine, while Panera includes several caffeine sources. This combination of guarana and caffeine is what is most commonly seen in energy drinks, including Celsius and Alani Nu, because it enhances the effects of caffeine.

Despite the problems Panera has faced from its own energy drinks, it's no surprise that Dunkin' is attempting to cash in on the success of other chains with launches of their own. McDonald's included a "Sour Cherry Energy Slush" on the menu of its newest drink concept CosMc's, and Dutch Bros' line of energy drinks already accounts for nearly a quarter of the chain's sales.

The market for energy drinks has experienced rapid growth in the US over the past few years, as the industry was valued at $21.1 billion in 2022 and is expected to increase to $22.7 billion in 2023, according to research firm Mintel. This has been demonstrated through the increasing popularity of brands such as Celsius, Prime, Alani Nu and Gorgie which are disrupting a market traditionally dominated by Red Bull and Monster.

Are energy drinks safe to drink?

While the Food and Drug Administration recommends that healthy adults limit caffeine consumption to 400 mg per day, there are other things to consider when it comes to the combination of ingredients in energy drinks specifically. For example, guarana seeds contain more caffeine than coffee beans, which may contribute to overconsumption. High amounts of sugar added on top of that pose a separate risk.

People can also be more sensitive to the effects of caffeine as a result of different health conditions and even depending on how quickly it is consumed. Too much caffeine can cause sleep disturbances, anxiety, nausea, rapid heartbeat and, in extreme cases (such as having more than 1,200 mg in a short period of time) toxic effects such as seizures or death.

Caffeine consumption by children and adolescents has a different set of recommendations. The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry suggests that children ages 12 and older can have at most 100 mg a day. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), on the other hand, says that energy drinks should not be consumed by teenagers at all.

"Drinking these beverages can cause anxiety, hyperactivity, inattention, sensation seeking and poor decision making," says Dr. Tamara S. Hannon, member of the AAP Committee on Nutrition. Risks over time include heart disease, diabetes and fatty liver disease.

A safe dose of caffeine may actually have several health benefits. However, it's important to be a conscious consumer, especially as energy drinks become more "health-washed" – and easy to order at a drive-through near you.

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