Energy Drinks - risks and information for parents
Energy drinks risks and advice
What are energy drinks?
Energy drinks are soft drinks that contain high levels of sugar and caffeine. They also contain stimulants such as guarana and taurine which adds to the level of caffeine. These drinks claim to boost energy and improve concentration. The feeling of energy from these drinks comes from the high levels of sugar and caffeine, users will experience a short lived ‘sugar high’ followed by a ‘sugar crash’. This can leave users feeling unable to concentrate, drowsy and irritable. Teenagers often feel tired and low on energy especially in the morning so it’s easy to see why energy drinks are sometimes drunk on the way to school instead of having breakfast.Information for parents
The two most significant ingredients in energy drinks are sugar and caffeine, with others being taurine and guarana all of which if regularly consumed can cause harm.The risks
Increased caffeine consumption in children and adolescents results in increased blood pressure, sleep disturbances, headache, dehydration, hyperactivity and stomach aches. Too much sugar causes dental issues, stress, and obesity and can lead to type 2 diabetes. Guarana and taurine are stimulants that can cause anxiety, sleep problems and irregular heartbeat.Positive actions
• Encourage more sleep and try to avoid activity that stimulates the brain before bed, such as playing computer games. • Avoid fizzy or caffeine drinks before going to sleep. • Eating a healthier diet, try wholegrain cereals and fruit for breakfast. • Encourage physical activity, exercise helps sleep because a tired mind will sleep better if the body is tired too. • Water is the healthiest and cheapest choice for quenching thirst. Try adding some no-added-sugar squash or fruit juice for flavour.Published: 02 Feb 2023
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