Energy drinks

2025

Adoption of a law on fines of 500 thousand rubles for the sale of power engineers to children

In May 2025, the State Duma adopted a law establishing responsibility for the sale of non-alcoholic tonic drinks (including energy ones) to minors, providing for fines for the offense: for citizens from ₽30 thousand to ₽50 thousand; for officials - from ₽100 thousand to ₽200 thousand; in Jurassic persons - from ₽300 thousand to ₽500 thousand. Cases of offenses will be considered by the heads of executive authorities of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation, which monitor the sale of non-alcoholic tonic drinks.^[1]

Power engineers accelerate cancer cell growth in acute myeloid leukemia

In May 2025, a team of researchers from the New York University of Rochester (state) published the results of a study that established a link between taurine, a key component of power beverages, and accelerated cancer cell growth in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Scientists have found that taurine triggers metabolic "turbojet" in leukemia cells, making cancer it more aggressive.

The study, published in the scientific journal Nature, reveals the mechanism of interaction between normal bone marrow cells and cancer cells in acute myeloid leukemia. During the study, it was found that osteolineal cells of the bone marrow produce taurine in large quantities when leukemia develops, and cancer cells actively capture this molecule using a special TAUT transporter protein.

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Фото: Freepik

AML is a dangerous form of blood cancer in which immature hematopoietic cells begin to multiply uncontrollably in the bone marrow. This leads to the fact that normal blood cells do not have time to form, and the body remains without immune protection, oxygen and normal blood clotting.

Taurine, entering cancer cells, activates the mTOR metabolic pathway, which is one of the main "switches" of cell growth. The process of glycolysis is also enhanced, by which cells quickly get energy from glucose. As a result of these processes, cancer cells enter an accelerated growth mode, and the disease takes on a more aggressive form.

Scientists conducted an experiment during which they blocked the access of taurine to cancer cells. When the CDO1 enzyme responsible for the production of taurine was blocked in the bone marrow, the development of leukemia slowed down. And when the TAUT protein was blocked in the cancer cells themselves, they lost their ability to grow actively.^[2]

In the Voronezh region for ₽10 billion opened a new plant for the production of energy drinks

On April 24, 2025, it became known that the Global Drinks company, which is part of the Global Financial Drinks Rus (GFD) group, opened a new production complex for the production of energy drinks in the Center special economic zone in the Novousmansky district of the Voronezh region. The volume of investments in the construction and equipment of the enterprise exceeded ₽10 billion, and the production capacity reaches 800 million units of products per year. Read more here.

2024: Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law banning the sale of underage power engineers

In August 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law prohibiting the sale of non-alcoholic tonic drinks, including power, to minors from March 2025. The law obliges sellers to refuse to sell such drinks if there are doubts about the age of the buyer, and he will not present a document confirming the age.^[3]

2023: Growth of production of energy drinks in Russia by 2.2 times - up to 1096 million liters

During 2019-2023, the production of energy drinks in Russia increased 2.2 times - from 498 million to 1096 million liters. Teenagers are showing great interest in tonic drinks, as stated in BusinesStat materials published on June 7, 2024.

Analysts note that the demand for power in the Russian market is growing steadily. In particular, in 2020, the volume of production of these products increased by 25.8% compared to 2019 - to 626.6 million liters. In 2021, an increase was recorded at 31.9% - up to 826.5 million liters, and in 2022 the industry showed positive dynamics in the amount of 22.1% with a final result of about 1009 million liters. In 2023, the growth rate slowed to 8.6%.

Traditionally, power produced by enterprises specializing in non-alcoholic products. However, the growing demand for tonic drinks has led to alcohol producers entering this market. Thus, the Baltika Brewery Company produces the Flash Up energy drink. The Moscow brewing company is developing the Gorilla brand, the United Breweries - Holding (formerly the United Heineken Breweries) - Solar Power, Abrau-Durso Group of Companies - Varyag by Abrau, AB Inbev Efes - Volt Energy.

Against the background of the current geopolitical situation, Russian companies are striving to occupy the niches vacated after the departure of Coca-Cola (Energy brand) and PepsiCo (Adrenaline Rush brand) from Russia. Domestic manufacturers have actively launched new brands and products, replenishing the assortment of power engineers with new tastes and packaging formats.

On the other hand, a number of problems hinder the development of the energy drinks market in the Russian Federation. Among them are named a high threshold for entering the business due to consumer loyalty to well-known brands, tightening legislative measures and selling counterfeit products that can harm health.^[4]

2022: Fatal blood clots: Energy drinks constrict blood vessels for 90 minutes

Energy drinks constrict blood vessels for 90 minutes, said cardiologist Oleg Varfolomeev at the end of August 2022. According to him, after drinking such drinks, the inner diameter of blood vessels decreases by an average of 50%.

Caffeine and sugar present in such drinks are to blame for this phenomenon. The study participants were non-smokers and were generally recognized as healthy, Varfolomeev explained.

Energy drinks constrict blood vessels for 90 minutes

The endothelium is a layer lining the inner walls of blood vessels, and its damage plays an important role in some cardiovascular diseases. This study tested the effects of these beverages on a healthy endothelium.

Ultrasound was used to check arterial blood flow, the inner diameter of the arteries and the general condition of the blood vessel.

As noted by MedicForum, blood clots are gel-like blood clots. They are useful when formed in response to an injury or cut, clogging a damaged blood vessel, which stops bleeding. However, with narrowing of blood vessels, blood clots can form in the veins. These types of clots increase the risk of serious cardiovascular complications, such as a heart attack or stroke.

Energy consumption has been increasing in recent years, but energy drinks are not yet considered in clinical practice as a risk factor for the development of heart pathologies, while data on the toxic effect of energy drinks have already appeared: sometimes it came to the need for mechanical support of circulation.

Energy drinks are also known to increase blood pressure and cause arrhythmias. All these effects with long-term use of energizers can lead to the onset of cardiomyopathy.^[5]

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