Hansen Natural Corp insists its energy drinks are safe for workouts.
"They're ideal drinking before working out if you're looking for an energy boost," Hansen chairman Rodney Sacks said.
Sacks said energy drinks represent US$140 million to US$150 million a year in sales for beverage manufacturers.
The energy drink market grew more than 102 percent over the past year, according to Beverage Marketing Corp, which supplies information and financial services to the beverage industry.
Hansen was among the companies warned by the Food and Drug Administration earlier this month not to claim unproven health benefits from herbal food additives.
Anheuser-Busch, which released an energy drink called 180 in January, has been careful not to promise anything more than a caffeine and guarana rush.
"We're not making any sport-enhancing or health-enhancing claims," said Marlene Coulis, director of new products. "It's more of a pick-me-up."
"Like anything, too much of it is not good for you," Rodriguez said. "But it does have more advantages than disadvantages."
Rodriguez suggested consuming energy drinks only once or twice a day. But he swears there's nothing better for an all-night party or curing a violent hangover.
"It's like drinking coffee," he said. "No, it's like coffee squared."
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