The use of energy drinks has reached endemic levels in children, and health professionals are concerned. So what's in these drinks? Firstly they are sweet - about 14 sugar lumps per serving, so just empty calories. A pleasant tangy aftertaste comes from acid added by manufacturers; the acidity level can be anything from sourer than a grapefruit (pH 2.7) to battery acid (pH 1.5). Drink enough of this every day and not only will your dentist be worried, but evidence shows that bones will gradually weaken, putting drinkers at risk of osteoporosis.
While these factors can be true of other fizzy drinks, energy drinks have a high caffeine content as well. A single can of energy drink can contain the same caffeine as three cups of instant coffee. While this may not affect an adult much, it is too much for a child all in one go. Youngsters will more readily experience caffeine's side effects: shakes, agitation, palpitations, indigestion, inability to sleep and aggression. Caffeine also changes the shape of brain cells - making them more spiky. The long-term impact on a child's brain is completely unknown.
There are other things in an energy drink, usually with impressive sounding names, but current research shows that most of these ingredients do absolutely nothing other than sound impressive.
Dr Stuart Farrimond, Wiltshire Times 23 May 2014
