Should energy drinks be banned?
Energy drinks are a hot topic right now. You may have seen Jamie Oliver campaigning for the sale of the addictive drinks to children to be banned. And, rightly so, in my opinion!
It comes after a rise in bad behaviour in classrooms across the UK in the last few years.
They are being blamed for an increase in aggression and disruptive behaviour.
The likes of Monster, Relentless and Rockstar are becoming more and more popular with teenagers, but they are unaware of the risks involved in being over-excessive..
These addictive, caffeineladen drinks can cause jitteriness, nervousness, an upset stomach, increased blood pressure and heart rate, headaches and problems sleeping and concentrating.
Research has found that the health risks associated with energy drink consumption are primarily related to their caffeine content. The three main ingredients in most energy drinks are caffeine, sugar and taurine.
All of which are harmless when taken in moderation.
But, these energy drinks are packed full of all three components.
A can of Monster contains the equivalent of 2.5 shots of coffee and 14 teaspoons of sugar.
A can of Rockstar Endurance contains 2.5 shots of coffee and 17 teaspoons of sugar.
A can of Relentless contains one shot of coffee and 14 teaspoons of sugar.
The recommended daily sugar intake for children is less that six teaspoons.
Ideally, children under 12-years-old should not be drinking caffeine at all.
And the recommended daily allowance for children between the ages of 12-18 is 100mg (the average cup of coffee).
That means some of these energy drinks contain nearly three times the daily recommended allowance of sugar and caffeine in one can.
The alarming thing is that some children are drinking them before school, during breaks and at lunch time.
No wonder schools are ex- periencing behavioural problems.
Energy drinks are also a massive contributor to the growing obesity problem because of the very high amount of sugar they contain.
What can we do to help our kids?
Be aware of how much caffeine is in each drink your child consumes. (Check out www.caffeineinformer.com for up-to-date info on specific drinks and foods).
Talk to your kids about caffeine the same way you discuss smoking and drinking.
Be a good role model. If you limit your caffeine intake — and talk to your kids about why you are doing so — you set a good example.
Don’t ignore the warning signs (insomnia, restlessness) that your child is consuming too much caffeine.
Don’t forget about sugar. Many caffeinated drinks are also loaded with calories from sugar, which can lead to obesity and tooth decay.