Energy drinks could cause less dental damage with a simple addition

Fortifying energy drinks with a calcium concoction could reduce the damage they give to the teeth, but it is not clear if it would affect their taste.

Studies suggest that dental enamel, the external coating of teeth, begins to dissolve when exposed to liquids with a pH less than 5.5 – that most energy drinks fall below.

In search of a way to get around this, Erik Jácomome at the State University of Rio Grande Faire Norte in Brazil and his colleagues added calcium and other minerals with traditional Red Bull energy drinks to see how it affected their pH.

The most promising combination was calcium, phosphorus and potassium, the highest concentration making the 3.96 pH – that of the Red Bull not modified – at 5.27, while Dicalcium Malate and the Malatian calcium citrate both rendered acid drinks.

Then, the researchers exhibited enamel samples from human teeth given to the various fortified energy drinks for 2 minutes, then analyzed them for changes in roughness and hardness, indicators of enamel erosion.

All drinks enriched with calcium had less effect on the roughness of the samples compared to Red Bull not modified, despite certain versions with a lower pH. Researchers believe that this is due to the role of calcium in remineralization, the deposit of minerals in enamel to repair natural losses.

The formulation with 2.15 grams of the Calcium-Phosphorus-Potassium combination and that with 2.5 grams of dicalcium malate also preserved the harshness of the enamel. But the first had the largest overall protective effect, which researchers have put in its double action: providing calcium and reducing acidity.

Future studies should try to identify the most effective form of calcium and the minimum concentration necessary to reduce the erosion of enamel, write researchers in their article. They should also test if the calcium fortification affects the taste of a drink and if people always consume it.

Before new research, David Bartlett at King’s College London said it is too early to change energy drinks. “Our approach is to recommend not drinking acidic foods or drinks between meals.” It is believed that the consumption of acidic foods or drinks with meals is less damaging due to the increase in the production of saliva washing part of the acid.

A spokesperson for the British Soft Drinks Association says: “It should be reiterated that all soft drinks are sure to consume as part of a balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle, which includes good dental hygiene.”

Red Bull did not respond to a request for comments.