Experts Call For Ban On Sale Of Energy Drinks To Children Under 16 Years

The sale of energy drinks to children under 16 years of age should be banned after studies linked them to a range of health complaints and risky behaviours, according to a report. Sales of energy drinks in the UK increased by 155% between 2006 and 2014, from 235 to 600 million litres. A review of worldwide evidence on energy drinks, most of which are promoted by leading sports stars, links them to health complaints such as headaches, stomach aches and sleeping problems. The emergency department visits associated with their consumption in the US doubled between 2007 and 2011. They are also associated with risky behaviours such as binge drinking and drug use, according to data cited in the report published by the Food Research Collaboration, an initiative of the Centre for Food Policy at City University London.

The paper, written by Dr Shelina Visram from Durham University and Kawther Hashem from the health charity Action on Sugar, says consumption among children globally is growing. The intake among the age group of 10 to 14 years is expected to increase by 11% over the next five years.

A survey involving 16 European countries found that 68% of 11 to 18 year olds and 18% of children aged 10 years and under, consume energy drinks, with 11% of the older group and 12% of children drinking at least a litre in a single session. A single can of popular brands in the market can contain around 160mg of caffeine, while the European Food Safety Authority recommends an intake of no more than 105mg of caffeine and 30g of sugar per day for an average 11-year-old.

Dr Shelina Visram, lecturer in public policy and health at Durham University energy drink consumption among youth is a growing concern because of their high caffeine and sugar content.

Kawther Hashem, a registered nutritionist and researcher at Action on Sugar based at Queen Mary University of London said, "Children and teenagers are being deceived into drinking large cans of energy drinks, thinking they are going to improve their performance at school, during sports, or even on a night out. In reality it is more likely increasing their risk of developing obesity, type 2 diabetes and dental caries, which will have lifelong implications on their health."

British Soft Drinks Association director general Gavin Partington said, "The latest review by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) in 2015 confirms that energy drinks are safe and make up a very small part of the caffeine intake of adolescents and a negligible amount amongst children."

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The UK Government has already announced a tax on sugary drinks as a step towards tackling childhood obesity but the researchers say energy drinks usually contain high amounts of both sugar and caffeine. More research was needed on how the high levels of sugar and caffeine in energy drinks interact with each other and with other stimulants present such as taurine and guarana. The report says UK policy makers must act against excessive consumption by British kids, who are the biggest customers in Europe.

Source-Medindia