Energy drinks have no health value and may even harm some children and teenagers.
Energy drinks have no health value and may even harm some children and teenagers.
The increasingly popular, highly caffeinated drinks are especially risky for children with heart abnormalities, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or other health or emotional problems. The drinks can be hazardous to children who suffer from diabetes, seizures and psychological problems.
To review the effects, adverse consequences, and extent of energy-drink consumption among children, adolescents and young adults, researchers in the United States searched PubMed and Google using "energy drink," "sports drink," "guarana," "caffeine," "taurine," "ADHD," "diabetes," "children," "adolescents," "insulin," "eating disorders," and "poison control center" to identify articles related to energy drinks. Manufacturer Websites were reviewed for product information.
Surveys suggest that 30 percent to 50 percent of U.S. teenagers and young people consume energy drinks, despite warnings about their safety. Many users mix the energy drinks with alcohol, further heightening the potential for ill effects. But even without the addition of alcohol, the beverages carry some measure of risk.
The researchers noted that safe levels of energy drinks, which contain stimulants such as caffeine, taurine and guarana, have not been established for children and teenagers. A 250 ml energy drink may contain dozens or hundreds of milligrams of caffeine, compared to 100 milligrams of caffeine in a generic cup of coffee. A 250 ml serving of energy drink contains 77 milligrams of caffeine, compared to 28 milligrams in an equal amount of cold beverages.
Energy-drink manufacturers often add other ingredients, such as sugar and herbal supplements, whose effects haven't been well-studied. And, some ingredients can interfere with medications.
In countries that track adverse events from energy drinks, cases of agitation, liver damage, kidney failure, psychosis and a heart attack in a 23-year-old have been reported. The study suggests long-term research to understand the effects in at-risk populations and improved toxicity surveillance. They also advised regulating energy-drink sales and consumption based on appropriate research.
The increasingly popular, highly caffeinated drinks are especially risky for children with heart abnormalities, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or other health or emotional problems. The drinks can be hazardous to children who suffer from diabetes, seizures and psychological problems.
To review the effects, adverse consequences, and extent of energy-drink consumption among children, adolescents and young adults, researchers in the United States searched PubMed and Google using "energy drink," "sports drink," "guarana," "caffeine," "taurine," "ADHD," "diabetes," "children," "adolescents," "insulin," "eating disorders," and "poison control center" to identify articles related to energy drinks. Manufacturer Websites were reviewed for product information.
Surveys suggest that 30 percent to 50 percent of U.S. teenagers and young people consume energy drinks, despite warnings about their safety. Many users mix the energy drinks with alcohol, further heightening the potential for ill effects. But even without the addition of alcohol, the beverages carry some measure of risk.
The researchers noted that safe levels of energy drinks, which contain stimulants such as caffeine, taurine and guarana, have not been established for children and teenagers. A 250 ml energy drink may contain dozens or hundreds of milligrams of caffeine, compared to 100 milligrams of caffeine in a generic cup of coffee. A 250 ml serving of energy drink contains 77 milligrams of caffeine, compared to 28 milligrams in an equal amount of cold beverages.
Energy-drink manufacturers often add other ingredients, such as sugar and herbal supplements, whose effects haven't been well-studied. And, some ingredients can interfere with medications.
In countries that track adverse events from energy drinks, cases of agitation, liver damage, kidney failure, psychosis and a heart attack in a 23-year-old have been reported. The study suggests long-term research to understand the effects in at-risk populations and improved toxicity surveillance. They also advised regulating energy-drink sales and consumption based on appropriate research.
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