Energy drinks ‘trigger nasty side effects like heart problems and seizures in HALF of kids’
Campaigners and experts are calling for a ban on the sale of the drinks to kids under 16 years old
ENERGY drinks pose a threat to kids and teens, and could spark heart conditions and seizures.
More than half of youngsters suffer nasty health problems after guzzling the soft drinks.
Experts at the University of Waterloo in Canada found drinks, like Red Bull and Monster, can cause a rapid heartbeat, headaches as well as seizures, in rare cases.
Prof David Hammond, who led the study, warned: "Most risk assessments to date have used coffee as a reference for estimating the health effects of energy drinks.
"However, it's clear these products pose a greater health risk.
"The health effects from energy could be due to the different ingredients than coffee, or the ways in which they are consumed, including with alcohol or during physical activity.
"Regardless, the findings suggest a need to increase surveillance of health effects from these products."
Prof Hammond's team looked at 2,055 young people in Canada, aged 12 to 24.
Of those who admitted to consuming energy drinks, more than half (55.4 per cent) said they'd experienced a nasty health problem.
They were most likely to notice a fast heartbeat (24.7 per cent), while another one in four reported sleeping problems.
Around 18 per cent of those who noticed side-effects said they'd suffered headaches.
Meanwhile, five per cent noted vomiting and diarrhoea, 3.6 per cent suffered chest pains while 0.2 per cent suffered a seizure.
Prof Hammond said: "The number of health effects observed in our study suggests that more should be done to restrict consumption among children and youth.
At the moment, there are no restrictions on children purchasing energy drinks, and they are marketed at the point-of-sale in grocery stores, as well as advertising that targets children
Prof David Hammond
"At the moment, there are no restrictions on children purchasing energy drinks, and they are marketed at the point-of-sale in grocery stores, as well as advertising that targets children."
Energy drinks typically contain 80mg of caffeine per 100ml - roughly the same as three cans of Coca Cola or a cup of instant coffee, the Food Standards Agency states.
But most also contain high levels of sugar, and are sold in 500ml cans.
Campaigners have urged the Government to ban the sale of energy drinks to kids under the age of 16.
Earlier this month, Waitrose announced it will ban the sale of the drinks to under 16s from March 5.
The supermarket took the decision after teachers warned they are fuelling disruptive behaviour in the classroom.
The ban will be imposed on all drinks that contain more than 150mg of caffeine per litre - with teens asked for proof of age.
Current guidelines require soft drinks with that level of caffeine in to be labelled with a clear warning stating they are not suitable for kids.
WAR ON SUGAR The energy drinks that contain up to 16 TEASPOONS of sugar - as campaigners call for a ban on sale to under-16s
Simon Moore, from Waitrose, said: "As a responsible retailer we want to sell these products in line with the labelling guidance.
"These drinks carry advice stating they are not recommended for children, so we're choosing to proactively act on that guidance, particularly given the widespread concerns which have been raised about these drinks when consumed by under 16s."
Last month leading teachers' union NASUWT called for the sale of the drinks to be banned to under-16s due to the high levels of sugar and caffeine in them.
Darren Northcott, of the union, labelled the drinks were "legal highs".
He said: "Parents are often not aware of the very high levels of stimulants these drinks contain.
"They are readily available legal highs sold in vending machines, supermarkets and corner shops."
Where have energy drinks been banned around the globe?
Energy drinks are sold around the world. But some countries have tried to control their selling to children.
France, Denmark, Norway - Red Bull was banned from sale for 12 years until 2008 due to concerns about its impact on peoples' health
Lithuania - In 2014, the country banned the selling of all energy drinks to anyone under the age of 18
Germany - In 2009, six German states ordered shops to stop selling Red Bull Cola after traces of cocaine were found in it
Hungary - The country introduced a new tax on unhealthy food and drinks including energy drinks