The Scientific Committee of the Spanish Food Safety and Nutrition Agency (AESAN) has issued a report that includes the increase in the consumption of energy drinks among children and adolescents and reveals the risks that it may have for health. The Minister of Consumption, Alberto Garzón, has promised during the presentation of this work to review the situation of this type of beverage in the current food safety legislation.
What are energy drinks
The Organization of Consumers and Users (OCU) explains that energy, stimulant or revitalizing drinks are a mixture of carbonated water, sugar (or sweeteners in sugar-free or low-calorie options), additives and aromas, including caffeine. In addition, some incorporate B group vitamins and amino acids and substances to which energizing or revitalizing effects are attributed, such as ginseng, taurine, glucuronolactone or guarana.
Increased consumption of energy drinks among children and adolescents
Concern about the growing demand for this type of beverage has grown because there is significant consumption among children and adolescents. Thus, the results of the latest survey on drug use in Secondary Education in Spain (ESTUDES) of the National Plan on Drugs revealed that 4 out of 10 students between the ages of 14 and 18 had drunk energy drinks in the last month. Its consumption is higher in boys (49.7%) than in girls (31.1%). Additionally, 16% of students ages 14-18 had mixed alcohol with energy drinks in the past 30 days.
Why the consumption of energy drinks is more harmful in children and adolescents
The main conclusion of the report by the AESAN Scientific Committee reveals that a person who consumes more than 1.4 milligrams of caffeine per kilo of weight per day may suffer from insomnia and reduced sleep duration. If this intake rises to 3 milligrams, it may involve cardiovascular and hematological, neurological and psycho-behavioral risks.
Taking this into account, AESAN warns that the most common containers of this product contain 32 milligrams of caffeine per 100 milliliters. Thus, the report highlights the potential health risks associated with the intake of the product in containers of 300 to 500 milliliters that are currently marketed. Accordingly, the agency recommends the following:
– Consumers weighing 50 kg should avoid consuming energy drinks with more than 32 mg/100 ml to avoid sleep disturbances.
– Consumers weighing 60 kg should not consume 1000 ml of any energy drink or exceed 500 ml of these drinks with concentrations of 40-55 mg caffeine/100 ml, due to their sleep disturbances and general adverse effects on health.
– Consumers weighing 70 kg should not consume more than 1000 ml/day of these drinks with 15 mg caffeine or 500 ml of drinks with 32 mg caffeine/100 ml or 250 ml/day of drinks with 40-55 mg caffeine/100 ml to avoid sleep disturbances. In addition, they should not consume more than 1000 ml of 32-40 mg caffeine/100 ml drinks or more than 500 ml of 55 mg caffeine/100 ml energy drinks to avoid adverse health effects.
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