Kids ‘should be banned from drinking Red Bull’ say experts as figures show 70 per cent guzzle energy drinks
More than two thirds of 11 to 18 year-olds guzzle the sugar and caffeine fuelled drinks study finds
KIDS under 16 should be banned from buying energy drinks, health experts say.
It follows shock findings of how much youngsters consume.
Sixty-eight per cent of 11 to 18 year-olds guzzle the sugar and caffeine fuelled drinks, the Food Research Collaboration found. And 12 per cent of those aged ten and under have downed a litre in one go.
The group’s report does not name specific drinks but popular brands include Red Bull, Monster and Lucozade.
The group – which includes academics from City University London and Durham University – yesterday published a report into the drinks.
It says more research is needed on how the high levels of sugar and caffeine interact with each other and other stimulants present, such as taurine and guarana.
It proposes legislation banning the sale of energy drinks to under-16s and a ban on marketing targeted at children.
Nutritionists say the youngsters are raising their risk of obesity, type-2 diabetes, and tooth decay.
Dr Shelina Visram, lecturer in public policy and health at Durham University, said: “Youth energy drink consumption is a growing public health concern due to the high caffeine and sugar contents of these drinks.
“More research is needed to understand the short and long-term effects in terms of health, well-being and educational outcomes.
“However, the available evidence indicates that these drinks are associated with a range of health complaints and risky behaviours in school-age children.
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“Action is needed by local and national government to restrict the sale and marketing of these drinks to young people.”
Kawther Hashem, of campaign group Action on Sugar, said: “The Government needs to ban the sale to children under-16 because of the high caffeine, calorie and sugar content."