AoS Comment: Experts call for age restrictions on the sale of energy drinks
Academics from Fuse, the Centre for Translational Research in Public Health, have called for the UK government to consider restricting the sale of energy drinks to under-16s after finding that they are being sold to children ‘cheaper than water and pop’.
Their research has revealed that around one in three young people say that they regularly consume energy drinks, which typically contain high levels of caffeine and sugar. The dangers of energy drinks are well documented with evidence indicating that regular or heavy use by under-18s is likely to be detrimental to health. This is the first study to explore in-depth the views of children, as young as 10-years-old, on energy drinks.
The research, published in journal PLOS ONE, was carried out by researchers from Fuse, a collaboration of North East Universities.
Kawther Hashem, Nutritionist at Action on Sugar, says: "It’s a scandal that certain energy drinks are being sold to children and teenagers under-16 ‘cheaper than water and pop’. The level of sugar in a typical energy drink is excessively high and increases the risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes and tooth decay. There must be tighter restrictions on who can buy these drinks to protect children and teenagers."
To view the journal, please click here.
To view the full press release from Fuse, please click here.
