Children as young as 12 are guzzling energy drinks to help them stay up late and play video games, experts warn.
Young people are attracted to such drinks due to their promises of enhanced energy, as well as their low cost and ready availability, a study reveals.
Previous research has linked energy drinks, such as Red Bull, to obesity, heart abnormalities and even sudden death due to their high-sugar and caffeine content. Excessive caffeine causes cells to release calcium, which negatively influences heart rates, putting people at risk of fatal attacks.
Most energy-drink consumers are unaware of the products’ main ingredients, health implications or appropriate serving sizes, the current study adds.
Study author Dr Jacinta Francis from the Telethon Kids Institute in Perth, said: ‘Drinking energy drinks to stay alert while playing video games was a common theme that emerged through all of the age groups. I think for the young gamers it would be wise to ban energy drinks.’
Children as young as 12 are using energy drinks to help them stay up late and play video games
‘Drinking energy drinks to play video games was a common theme’
The researchers carried out eight group interviews lasting between 30 and 50 minutes with 41 people aged between 12 and 25 years old.
Dr Francis said: ‘Drinking energy drinks to stay alert while playing video games was a common theme that emerged through all of the age groups.’
Results further reveal young people are attracted to such drinks due to their promises of enhanced energy, pleasant taste, low cost, peer pressure, ready availability and marketing promotions.
Yet, their negative health effects, along with parental disapproval, puts some potential drinkers off.
While some of the participants were aware energy drinks contain sugar and caffeine, many were unable to name any additional ingredients, how the beverages affect energy or an appropriate serving size.
‘It would be wise to ban energy drinks’
The researchers believe energy drink consumption could be reduced if restrictions were enforced to curb the age groups who can buy them. They also recommend changing the products’ packaging, increasing prices and reducing their visibility in shops.
Dr Francis said: ‘I think for the young gamers it would be wise to ban energy drinks. That would possibly be the most effective strategy in terms of diminishing the association between video gaming and drink consumption.’
The researchers also want customers to become more educated on others ways to improve their energy levels, such as through getting plenty of sleep, being active and eating a healthy diet.
Previous studies have linked energy drinks to obesity, headaches, nausea, insomnia, anxiety, heart abnormalities and even sudden death.
Aside from their high-sugar content being associated with weight gain, energy drinks’ excessive caffeine levels causes cells to release calcium, which affects heart beats and can lead to life-threatening attacks.
The findings were published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behaviour.
Gavin Partington, director general at the British Soft Drinks Association, which represents Red Bull said: ‘Energy drinks and their ingredients have been deemed safe by regulatory authorities around the world, including the latest opinion from European Food Safety Authority.
‘The UK energy drink market introduced a voluntary Code of Practice to support consumers and parents who want to make informed choices. The code states that high caffeine beverages are not recommended for children, and specifies that this information should be clearly stated on the label of such drinks.
‘It also states that high caffeine energy drinks should not be promoted or marketed to those under 16.’