Up to a third of children in Britain are regularly consuming highly caffeinated energy drinks, and the habit could be harmful to their behaviour and health, research suggests.
According to a Government-commissioned analysis of previous studies into energy drinks, published by the British Medical Journal, some under-18s are consuming the drinks on more than five days a week.
Experts from the University of York and University College London looked at the type of drinks and how many of them young people are consuming, and the potential impact the high caffeine drinks could have on physical health, mental health and behaviour. They looked at nine databases for previous studies published between 2013 and July 2021.
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A review of UK studies found that between 3% and 32% of children had an energy drink at least once a week. In one of the studies looked at, a quarter of teenagers aged 13 and 14 had one drink or more per week, rising to between a quarter and a third of children aged 15 to 16.
And a Welsh study found consuming drinks like Red Bull or Monster once a week or more makes young people significantly more likely to suffer from a lack of sleep, headaches and stomach problems, compared to those who do not consume the drinks at all.
The overall results showed that consuming energy drinks on five or more days per week was associated with low psychological, physical, educational and overall wellbeing.
Evidence also suggested boys drank more than girls, while energy drink habits are linked to more headaches, sleep problems, alcohol use, smoking, irritability and being excluded from school.
Lead author of the paper, Claire Khouja, from the University of York, said: “While more research is needed to track the effects of energy drinks on children who drink them, our research has uncovered consistent evidence of links between the regular consumption of these drinks and harmful effects on children’s overall wellbeing.
“These findings offer support for a Government policy banning the sale of energy drinks to children.
“Our study also indicates that children who are better informed about the contents of energy drinks, drink less, suggesting that an education campaign and/or more prominent warnings on packaging could reduce consumption.”
Energy drinks are marketed as a way of getting a boost and contain caffeine as well as other ingredients such as vitamins, sugar, guarana and ginseng root.
Last year, medics writing in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) warned of the dangers of energy drinks after a student who drank too many developed heart failure.
The 21-year-old university student spent 58 days in hospital after consuming four 500ml energy drinks every day for two years.
He was admitted to intensive care and was so ill that doctors were considering whether he needed an organ transplant.
In the latest study, the researchers said their findings rely on surveys and so cannot prove that energy drinks cause problems for children.
They said the overall evidence was weak, but it was consistent, and further studies could be needed.
The Government has previously consulted on banning the sale of the drinks to children, but no further action was taken.
The British Soft Drinks Association’s director general, Gavin Partington, said: “Our members do not market or promote energy drinks to under-16s, nor do they sample products with this age group.
“In addition, energy drinks carry an advisory note stating ‘not recommended for children’.
“The BSDA Code of Practice on energy drinks was introduced by and for our members in 2010 and contains a number of stringent points on responsible marketing. We remain committed to supporting the responsible sale of energy drinks.”
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