Health

More than 50% of children worldwide consume energy drinks


Energy drinks are marketed to reduce fatigue and improve focus and boost energy. An average 250 ml energy drink contains about the same amount of caffeine as 60 ml espresso.

Many of these drinks also contain other active ingredients, such as guarana and taurine (stimulants) and sugar, although sugar-free options are also available.

In 2018, the UK government conducted a consultation about banning the sale of these drinks to children, but as only two UK studies were identified among the available evidence, Therefore, additional UK data was sought and a secondary analysis of the relevant data was performed to ensure compliance with UK policy.

For this, the researchers wanted to find out what type and how much energy drinks were consumed by UK teenagers. And they wanted to explore the potential impact on the physical and mental health and behavior of young people.

In July 2021, the researchers updated their original series of related studies from nine databases conducted in May 2018.

Two further systematic reviews were added to the 13 originals, comprising a total of 74 studies, published in English since 2013: 6 of these 15 reviews reported prevalence and 14 articles reported on the association between consumption and health or behavior.

Additional analysis includes representative data for the UK or one of the developed countries, including information on levels and patterns of energy drink consumption among children and potential impacts on heart health, mental health, neurological status, school performance, substance abuse or sleep.

Systematic review data show that, worldwide, between 13% and 67% of children have consumed an energy drink in the previous year.

Analysis of additional UK data indicates that between 3% and 32% of children across the UK consume energy drinks on at least one day of the week, with no difference in ethnic origin.

Regular consumption, defined as drinking energy drinks 5 or more days a week, is associated with poorer mental and physical health and overall poorer health than those who don’t drink energy drinks.

Evidence from reviews indicates a consistent association between energy drinks and self-harm, suicide, hyperactivity, school performance, and school attendance.

Evidence from both UK reviews and data suggests that boys drink more than girls, with consumption increasing in tandem with age; and that consumption has been linked to more headaches, trouble sleeping, alcohol use, smoking, irritability, and dropping out of school.

But the application of the quality scoring system (GRADE) shows that the evidence is weak. This is because most of the data for the assessments came from cross-sectional surveys, while no additional data included long-term information.

And it was not possible to aggregate survey data from the assessments because of differences in the design and reported measures.

“These data support the idea that there is a link between drinking [caffeinated energy drinks] and poorer health and behavior in children, although the cause is unclear,” the researchers wrote.

They conclude: “Based on a comprehensive review of available systematic reviews, we conclude that up to half of children worldwide drink [caffeinated energy drinks] weekly or monthly, and based on data set analysis, up to a third of children in the UK do so. ”

They added: “There is weak but consistent evidence, from UK reviews and data sets, that poorer health and well-being is found in children who drink alcohol. [caffeinated energy drinks]. In the absence of [randomized controlled trials]without the possibility of being ethical, longitudinal studies may provide stronger evidence. “

Source: Eurekalert



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