Current is designed to give a burst of energy by using a combination of methylxanthines (including caffeine), B vitamins, and exotic herbal ingredients. Energy drinks commonly include caffeine, guarana (extracts from the guarana plant), taurine, various forms of ginseng, maltodextrin, inositol, carnitine, creatine, glucuronolactone and ginkgo biloba. Some contain high levels of sugar, while most brands also offer an artificially sweetened version. The central active ingredient in energy drinks is caffeine, the same stimulant found in coffee or tea, often in the form of guarana or yerba mate. The average 237 ml (8 fl. oz.) energy drink has about 80mg of caffeine, about the same amount as a weak cup of coffee, with 480 ml (16 fl. oz.) drinks containing around 150mg, although recent drinks have created a stir by containing as much as 300mg of caffeine.
These drinks are typically marketed to young people, and people 'on the go.' Approximately 65 % of energy drink users are under the age of 35 years old, with males representing approximately 65 % of the mark.