Emerging evidence shows that highly-caffeinated, often sugar-laden energy drinks can harm children and adolescents, and supports physicians' groups and policymakers calling for restrictions on marketing and sales of these drinks to children under 18, according to a new study.
Harris & Munsell, 2015 - Energy drinks and adolescents: what’s the harm?
For more recent news on energy drinks, please see:
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26 February 2015 - BBC News - Energy drinks 'should be banned' for under-16s
09 February 2015 - ScienceDaily - Energy drinks significantly increase hyperactivity in schoolchildren, study finds
15 January 2015 - EFSA - Caffeine: EFSA consults on draft assessment
This study examined the existing research on sales and marketing of energy drinks, their consumption by youth under 18, and growing evidence that they can be harmful and may lead to negative health, social, emotional, and behavioral outcomes, especially when consumed by youth.
"Energy drink consumption has increased rapidly over the past five years, despite increasing evidence of negative immediate and long-term health effects, especially when consumed by youth under 18," says Jennifer Harris, a study author, associate professor-in-residence at UConn, and director of marketing initiatives for the Rudd Center. "Companies say these products are safe to market and sell to children as young as 12, but the evidence says otherwise."
According to the study, there is considerable evidence that energy drinks present a public health threat: