MESZ publications
newest first
Measured as early as 2001: a Bristol study of energy drinks and performance
A 2001 Bristol paper reported favourable physical and cognitive outcomes across three studies involving 36 volunteers. This article explains the findings, earlier research and limitations without claiming the study was the first. Full article in Hungarian.
34-study meta-analysis: the tested energy drinks showed benefits in several physical performance measures
A 2017 meta-analysis found benefits in several physical performance outcomes, but the pooled sprint result was not statistically significant. An association with taurine dose does not establish an independent taurine effect. Full article in Hungarian.
Faster reactions? An Australian meta-analysis found a benefit in two small energy-drink studies
The pooled energy-drink result for reaction time was statistically significant, based on two small studies. This does not establish superiority over caffeine alone or an effect against experimentally induced mental fatigue. Full article in Hungarian.
More sprints, higher jumps: an energy-drink trial in soccer players in Madrid
A crossover trial in 19 semiprofessional soccer players found better jumping, repeated-sprint peak speeds and match running measures after a sugar-free energy drink. The findings concern a specific product and caffeine dose. Full article in Hungarian.
Better memory after one can? A trial involving Newcastle researchers
In 24 healthy young adults, the tested energy drink with sugar improved two composite memory scores versus its sugar-free version and placebo. The article explains the short-term scope, funding and the lead author's ownership of the cognitive-test company. Full article in Hungarian.
A 43-fold margin of safety: EFSA's assessment of taurine and glucuronolactone
EFSA's 2009 assessment compared animal reference doses with estimated human exposure. The 43-fold and 71-fold margins relate to a historical consumption model and two ingredients; they are not recommended intakes or a whole-drink safety guarantee.
Scientifically substantiated, yet not authorised: caffeine, EFSA and the 2016 veto
EFSA gave favourable scientific assessments of caffeine's effects on alertness, attention and endurance. The 2016 parliamentary objection illustrates the distinction between scientific assessment and authorisation of health claims.
Sports science consensus: the ISSN position stand on energy drinks and performance
The ISSN's 2023 position stand finds that energy drinks may improve endurance and repeated sprint performance. This MESZ summary explains caffeine dose, the limits of the evidence and EFSA's safety reference values.
Updated BfR assessment: no harm expected in healthy adults from single caffeine doses up to 200 mg, but high intakes put young people at risk
In July 2026 the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) updated its assessment of energy drinks. It does not expect health impairments in healthy adults from single caffeine doses of up to 200 mg; caffeine from all sources counts. Children and adolescents are considered a risk group because some consume very large amounts, while long-term evidence remains limited. Full article in Hungarian.
Laboratory comparison of the caffeine content of seventeen espressos
MESZ measured 44–129 mg of caffeine per serving in 17 espresso samples, with an average of 93 mg. The survey was not representative. The 80 mg reference is calculated from the label declaration for a 250 ml energy drink containing 32 mg caffeine per 100 ml; it is not an energy drink measurement performed in this study.
The Hungarian Competition Authority closed its proceedings against MESZ without finding an infringement
MESZ report on the conclusion of case VJ/41/2024 and the published GVH decision.
Surprising international study: a Hungarian energy drink ranks among the world’s best
A press release on the Six Continents Index 2026 energy drink ranking and the position of Hungarian production.
Energy drinks may improve metabolic measures
A press release on metabolic measures in a multiweek US study that included a placebo drink.
Scientific study: energy drinks may improve reaction time and physical performance
A report on reaction time, physical performance and perceived fatigue in a study by the University of Sfax and partner institutions.
US study: an energy drink may improve cycling performance
A press release about the main findings of a cycling time trial study at the University of Texas at Austin.
European study: an energy drink improves driving performance
A summary of a controlled motorway driving simulator study at Utrecht University.
US study: energy drink consumption leads to faster running times
A summary of a study comparing amateur runners’ five kilometre performance after an energy drink and a placebo.
Findings reported in these releases apply to the specific sample, product, methods and measurements of each study.
Press coverage of MESZ releases
Coverage based on the same release is grouped by topic so it does not appear as several separate news items.
International ranking and the Hungarian result
Editorial and public authority coverage related to the MESZ release on Six Continents Index results.
Research on driving performance
Editorial coverage of the controlled Utrecht University study.
Research on five kilometre running performance
Press reports on the results of the study with recreational runners.
Caffeine from different sources counts together
Based on a MESZ release, ProfitLine summarised the need to count caffeine from coffee, tea, cola and energy drinks together.
Nébih energy drink assessment
The original authority assessment and press coverage of its results.
Founding of the Hungarian Energy Drink Association
Press coverage of the association’s founding and aims.
What experts have said
Brief extracts from experts and institutions. The full text and context of each extract can be read in the linked Hungarian article.
The short excerpts below are translated from their Hungarian originals; the linked articles provide full context.
Dr. Zacher Gábor
toxicologist
“… it is time to stop scaremongering about energy drinks …”Read the full article at Mandiner (Hungarian)
Dr. Vajda Zsolt
consultant toxicologist
“… a double standard has developed around caffeine consumption.”Read the full article at HVG (Hungarian)
Prof. Dr. Csepeli György
social psychologist
“… nobody disputes that this is an exceptionally successful product, and perhaps that is precisely why it has become fashionable to criticise and denigrate it.”Read the full article at Trade magazin (Hungarian)
Nébih · EFSA
Nébih · 2024
In the Hungarian food safety authority Nébih’s 2024 Szupermenta test, laboratory analysis of 35 energy drinks found no food safety problems in any of the tested products.
This finding applies to the 35 products tested. The test also identified labelling and quality issues.
Nébih · 2024 ↗EFSA · 2015
For healthy adults who are neither pregnant nor breastfeeding, EFSA considers single caffeine intakes of up to 200 mg and daily intakes of up to 400 mg from all sources combined not to raise safety concerns. These are safety reference values, not consumption targets or recommended servings. Individual sensitivity varies.
EFSA · 2015 ↗MESZ on TikTok
Recent videos have edited summaries; earlier posts are available in an archive by date. Every entry opens the original TikTok post, which is in Hungarian.
What the Nébih energy drink assessment found
Dr Imre Nemes, president of Nébih, discusses products lawfully made and sold and the importance of the recommendations on their labels.
Research on metabolic measures
A short educational summary of a Lindenwood University study.
Research on energy expenditure
A short presentation of a university study’s findings on energy expenditure.
Research on cycling performance
An accessible summary of a study on time trial performance and energy drink consumption.
Research on alertness and driving performance
A summary of a Loughborough University study of driving performance and alertness.
Six Continents Index – results in brief
A short news style summary of the international ranking. The detailed method is described on the Ranking page.
A brief summary of university research
An accessible presentation of a study of energy drink consumption and metabolic measures.
How was the Six Continents Index compiled?
A short video on the ranking’s comparison criteria and the product attributes assessed.
Research on driving performance
A short research summary of results from a controlled driving study.
Research on cycling time trials
A short video on the main findings of a cycling time trial study.
Open earlier videos 63 posts
2026 · 23 posts
2025 · 22 posts
2024 · 8 posts
2023 · 10 posts
The video collection excludes personal appearances, posts on political topics and material about the sales restriction for under-18s. Inclusion in the historical archive does not amount to editorial endorsement of claims made in older posts; for current sourced information, refer to the knowledge pages of this website.
MESZ on Instagram
Videos posted by MESZ on Instagram are available separately for people who do not use TikTok. The same video may appear under both platforms.
What the Nébih energy drink assessment found
A short video on the importance of the authority assessment and information on product labels.
Research on metabolic measures
A short summary of the Lindenwood University study of energy drinks.
Research on energy expenditure
An accessible presentation of a university study’s findings on energy expenditure.
University research on energy drinks
A short summary of a Washington University research topic involving energy drinks.
Research on cycling performance
A presentation of a study on cycling performance and energy drink consumption.
International energy drink news
A short news video summarising international findings on energy drinks.
University research in brief
A video on the main questions of a university study of energy drinks.
European comparison
A short video explaining comparative findings about European energy drinks.
Cycling time trials and performance
A short summary of the main findings of a cycling performance study.
Energy drinks and cycling
A short video introducing a research question about cycling performance.
MTI.hu links were checked against its search results of 22 September 2026; the related press selection is not exhaustive. MESZ original articles open on this website; external links lead to their original pages. Page updated: 12 October 2026.