Determination of some physicochemical properties, heavy metals and micronutrients of some energy drinks available in Nigeria

This study investigates the concentrations of selected elements in energy drinks and assesses their compliance with international safety standards. Energy drinks have gained widespread popularity, but concerns regarding the presence of heavy metals and their potential health risks necessitate rigorous scientific evaluation. This study aimed to determine the levels of copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), and chromium (Cr) in commercially available energy drinks and evaluate their potential health implications. A total of 30 energy drink samples were analyzed using atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS) and energy dispersive x-ray fluorescent (EDXRF) . Statistical analyses, including correlation analysis, chi-square tests, and multiple regression, were performed to identify significant relationships between elements and deviations from World Health Organization (WHO) permissible limits. The results showed that Mn had a strong positive correlation with Cu (r = 0.686, p < 0.01), while Fe and Zn exhibited no significant influence on Mn concentrations. The chi-square test revealed that some elements exceeded WHO-recommended limits, with Cu and Mn concentrations in certain samples posing potential health risks. Multiple regression analysis indicated that Cu significantly predicted Mn concentration (β = 0.686, p = 0.001), explaining 48.8% of the variance (R² = 0.488). In contrast, the regression model for Zn showed no significant predictive power (R² = 0.018, p = 0.936), indicating weak associations between Zn and other elements in the energy drinks. These findings highlight the need for stricter regulatory monitoring and enforcement to ensure that elemental concentrations in energy drinks remain within safe limits. Manufacturers should enhance quality control measures to prevent contamination and safeguard consumer health. Further research is recommended to explore additional factors influencing heavy metal accumulation in energy drinks, including ingredient sourcing, production methods, and storage conditions.