Researchers from Fuse, the Center for Translational Research in Public Health at the University of Newcastle and Teesside University, warned that energy drinks are associated with an increased risk of mental health problems among children and young people. The findings
According to the new study, in which they analyzed data from 57 investigations that covered a sample of more than 1.2 million children and young people from more than 21 countries, the researchers found that the consumption of energy drinks could cause anxiety, stress, depression and suicidal thoughts. Likewise, they noted that its consumption was more common among boys than among girls and was also associated with an increase in risk behaviors such as substance use, violence and unprotected sexual relations.
It also links beverage consumption with an increased risk of poor academic performance, sleep problems and unhealthy eating habits. The experts highlighted the need to take regulatory measures to restrict the sale and marketing of energy drinks to children and young people.
“Energy drinks are marketed to children and youth as a way to improve energy and performance, but our findings suggest that they are actually doing more harm than good,” explained Amelia Lake, Fuse Professor of Public Health Nutrition and author. main of the study. «The evidence that energy drinks are harmful to the physical and mental health of children and young people, as well as their behavior and education is clear. “We need to take action now to protect them from these risks,” she added. Excess caffeine
The UK Food Standards Agency states that energy drinks generally have high levels of caffeine and are different to ‘sports drinks’ which could be used to replace electrolytes lost during exercise. Caffeine levels in a can can vary between 80 mg (equivalent to two cans of cola or one cup of instant coffee) and 200 mg (equivalent to five cans of cola).
“We are deeply concerned by the findings that energy drinks can cause psychological distress and mental health problems,” said Dr. Shelina Visram, Fuse Senior Lecturer in Public Health and co-author of the research. “There has been political inaction in this area, despite Government concern and public consultations. “It is time for us to take action in the fastest growing sector of the soft drinks market,” she added.
Building on similar research in 2017, academics called on the UK Government to take action on the sale of energy drinks to under-16s after discovering they were being sold to young people at a lower price than the bottled water. They also drew attention to the fact that such drinks were very accessible to minors and heavily promoted through online advertisements, computer games, television and sports sponsorship.
Similarly, previous research also concluded that up to a third of UK children consume caffeinated energy drinks weekly. The country’s youth population was found to be the largest consumer of energy drinks in Europe for their age group. Following this national campaign many large UK supermarkets agreed to ban the sale of energy drinks to children.
The study was recently published in the journal Public Health. William Roberts, chief executive of the Royal Society for Public Health, said: “This important review adds to growing evidence that energy drinks may be harmful to the physical and mental health of children and young people, both in the short and long term. term”. With RT
