Effects of “Zero Sugar” Energy Drinks on Microbial Proliferation in Relation to the Gastrointestinal Microbiome
Year: 2026
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Energy drinks have rapidly increased in popularity and availability in recent years. With the rise of high-caffeine beverages, complications due to caffeine consumption have become more common in younger populations. The aim of this study was to use controlled laboratory methods to determine the effect of energy drinks on a variety of organisms commonly found in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The diverse and dynamic nature of microbes in the gut makes conditions of the GI tract difficult to replicate in a laboratory setting. As an alternative, isolates of bacteria commonly found as normal flora in the GI tract were plated using the lawn of growth technique on Mueller Hinton agar plates. Blank antibiotic discs were saturated with consistent volumes of each energy drink (Red Bull, Monster, Celsius, 5-Hour Energy, and Bang). The organisms examined in this study (Staphylococcus aureus, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Enterococcus faecalis, Bacteroides fragilis, and Escherichia coli) showed full "resistance" to the energy drinks. Growth was visible around the discs, showing no clearings. Each organism utilized in this study is robust, which is necessary for organisms in the GI tract. These results indicate one-time exposure to energy drinks is not sufficient to induce dysbiosis. Although the results of this study are not significant by itself, it fills gaps in existing research and provides the groundwork for future research projects examining the effects of energy drinks on the gastrointestinal microbiome.
Author: Hines, Madison
Language: English
Topic: Gut microbiota and health
Subfield: Molecular Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7160468541