The scourge of energy drinks: One can has more caffeine than adolescents' daily recommended intake

(Patria) - The consumption of energy drinks is on the rise, especially among the youngest population. New drinks are appearing on our market, very popular among young people, whose characteristics are even several times worse for young organisms compared to the drinks available so far.

Health risks

Given the free market and the possibility of importing anything not prohibited by law, and the wide availability of all products to young people, even children, the question is increasingly being asked whether it is necessary to legally define who can buy certain energy drinks, as is the case with cigarettes or alcohol.

- The health risks associated with the consumption of energy drinks can mainly be linked to the amount of caffeine, which is significantly higher in them than in coffee. These drinks also contain an average of 27 grams of sugar in 250 milliliters of drink. Caffeine overdose can accelerate blood pressure and heart rate, says Maja Jonjić-Trifković, a nutritionist at the Institute for Health and Food Safety Zenica.

Energy drinks are produced for adults and their composition is not suitable for a younger organism that has not developed a tolerance to the composition of energy drinks. In addition to caffeine and sugar, these drinks also contain other ingredients, such as taurine, which are linked to high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. The trap with consuming energy drinks is that they encourage consuming large quantities in a short period.

This year, energy drinks have appeared on our market that, in addition to their significantly high retail price, are much more detrimental to consumers, containing twice as much caffeine and sugar as the currently strongest energy drinks, or 5-6 times more than popular carbonated soft drinks.

According to EFSA (European Food Safety Authority), one "average" half-liter package of energy drink contains more milligrams of caffeine than an adolescent should consume daily.

- It is important to emphasize that the consumption of energy drinks is not recommended during exercise, as the combination of fluid loss due to sweating and the diuretic effect of caffeine itself can lead to severe dehydration, points out Jonjić-Trifković.

Consequences for the youngest

The consequences that can occur in children consuming energy drinks include frequent headaches, nausea, vomiting, sleep disturbances, frequent mood swings, psychological disorders - anxiety, and the development of psychological disorders - addiction.

Additionally, manufacturers try to present energy drinks as healthy by using images of fruits like apples, oranges, or mangoes on the cans, and adding synthetic vitamins, which do not make the drink any better or healthier.

- I hereby appeal to parents to pay great attention to this scourge of energy drink consumption, mostly among minors, and to talk to their children about the harmful effects of energy drinks on their health, and to be role models for their children by not buying or consuming these drinks themselves, states Jonjić - Trifković.