A Cuban expert in toxicology has issued a warning about the potential dangers of consuming Shaka, a drink containing 18% alcohol mixed with caffeine and other stimulants. This combination can obscure one's perception of intoxication, leading to excessive drinking.
The warning was highlighted on Friday by the government-run Periódico 26, which spoke with Alejandro Mestre Barroso, a toxicology specialist and coordinator of the Provincial Drug Observatory in Las Tunas. This organization was reportedly the first to issue a national alert regarding Shaka.
Mestre Barroso expressed particular concern about the misleading marketing of Shaka as an energy drink, arguing that its alcohol content classifies it as an alcoholic beverage.
"Shaka is an alcoholic beverage with 18% alcohol. To put it in perspective, a can of Shaka can have the same alcohol content as three or four beers, considering that Cristal beer has about 4.1 to 4.5% alcohol," he explained.
The version commonly available in Cuba primarily uses vodka as its base, although some variations are made with whiskey. It also includes caffeine, purines, and other stimulating ingredients.
"That's where the danger lies," he remarked.
Risks of a Misleading Mix
The toxicologist explained that alcohol acts as a central nervous system depressant, while stimulants have the opposite effect. This combination can make individuals feel more alert, masking the true degree of alcohol intoxication.
"When mixed, the stimulant effect hides the drunkenness. Teenagers, in particular, may feel so stimulated that they do not realize they are intoxicated. They might drink one, then another, and another," Barroso warned.
Once the alcohol's effects take hold, blood alcohol levels could reach dangerous highs, potentially causing severe intoxication.
"By the time alcohol's effects are dominant, levels may reach 150 milligrams per deciliter, risking alcohol-induced coma," he added.
Potential Health Complications
Barroso noted that this pattern has been observed in most cases reported to the Las Tunas Drug Observatory. Some patients required intensive care.
Complications included hypertension spikes, tachycardia, and neurological issues due to alcohol-induced depression. In severe cases, strokes, acute coronary events, and even sudden death could occur.
Adolescents and young adults are at greater risk due to both toxicological effects and neuropsychological and behavioral factors that promote rapid consumption of multiple cans.
"The clinical picture is much more severe from an alcohol standpoint," Mestre said, listing potential issues like tachycardia, hypertension, hypoglycemia, severe intoxication, and alcohol-induced coma, along with cardiovascular and neurological events, though these are less common.
Clarifying Misconceptions
Although some social media discussions have exaggerated the issue, Mestre emphasized that the real risks need no embellishment.
"In excess, it causes a very severe clinical picture, akin to drinking a bottle of strong spirits alone. You could end up in intensive care with an alcohol-induced coma. Shaka is no different," he explained.
He stressed the need to change the perception and marketing of the product: "It's not an energy drink. It's an alcoholic beverage with caffeine and purines. That's the conceptual change needed."
The official report concluded with a stark message: "Don't be fooled by the term 'energy.' Shaka doesn't give energy. It can take life."
Growing Concerns Over Shaka
Warnings about Shaka began to spread in Cuba in August. Initially, health authorities raised concerns about its rising popularity among teenagers and young adults, pointing out that the mix of alcohol and caffeine could make users feel more awake, leading to increased consumption without fully realizing its effects.
The issue intensified when five young people, aged 18 to 22, were treated at Camilo Cienfuegos Provincial Hospital in Sancti Spíritus for intoxications linked to Shaka consumption. Four suffered symptoms like headaches, vomiting, sweating, and tachycardia, while one young woman fell into a coma and required mechanical ventilation for 24 hours.
Following this, another Cuban doctor warned that the combination of alcohol and stimulants could "mask alcohol intoxication" and create a false sense of control, leading to higher consumption. He likened it to "playing Russian roulette with their hearts."
Understanding the Dangers of Shaka in Cuba
What makes Shaka dangerous?
Shaka is dangerous because it combines a high alcohol content with caffeine and other stimulants, which can mask the effects of intoxication and lead to excessive consumption.
Why is Shaka marketed as an energy drink problematic?
Marketing Shaka as an energy drink is problematic because it misleads consumers into underestimating its alcohol content and the associated risks, potentially leading to serious health consequences.
What are the potential health risks of consuming Shaka?
The potential health risks include severe intoxication, hypertension, tachycardia, neurological issues, and in extreme cases, strokes, coronary events, or sudden death.
How has Shaka affected young people in Cuba?
Young people in Cuba have been hospitalized with symptoms like headaches, vomiting, and tachycardia, and in one case, a young woman fell into a coma, highlighting the serious effects of Shaka consumption.