Energy drinks are an increasing public health problem and responsible for a skyrocketing number of emergency room visits, according to a new report issued by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration.

The number of ER visits prompted by the consumption of those beverages -- which can contain five times the amount of caffeine found in a cup of coffee, plus other ingredients for their stimulant effects -- jumped from 1,494 to 20,783 in 2011, SAMHA said.

Men -- most frequently those between the ages of 18 and 25, followed by those between the ages of 26 and 39 -- were almost three times more likely than women to wind up in the ER from unanticipated reactions to the drinks.

About 58% of the 2011 admissions resulted from simply consuming the highly advertised beverages. The other 42% resulted from interactions between the supposed energy-boosters and drugs or alcohol.

NewsdayTV's Doug Geed visits two wineries and a fish market, and then it's time for holiday cheer, with a visit to a bakery and poinsettia greenhouses. Credit: Randee Dadonna

Out East with Doug Geed: Wine harvests, a fish market, baked treats and poinsettias NewsdayTV's Doug Geed visits two wineries and a fish market, and then it's time for holiday cheer, with a visit to a bakery and poinsettia greenhouses.

NewsdayTV's Doug Geed visits two wineries and a fish market, and then it's time for holiday cheer, with a visit to a bakery and poinsettia greenhouses. Credit: Randee Dadonna

Out East with Doug Geed: Wine harvests, a fish market, baked treats and poinsettias NewsdayTV's Doug Geed visits two wineries and a fish market, and then it's time for holiday cheer, with a visit to a bakery and poinsettia greenhouses.

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