Fizzical harm

Youngsters say caffeine drinks made them ill

HALF of young people who consume energy drinks suffer side effects ranging from sleeplessness to rapid heart rate and seizures, a study has found.

And 5% had seen a doctor because of the side effects, with 4% suffering chest pains.

Almost 25% said they had experienced a fast heartbeat or struggled sleeping, while two people reported having seizures.

Almost 20% of the 2,055 youngsters, aged 12 to 24, said drinks such as Red Bull or Monster had given them a headache, and more than 5% said they had caused nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea.

The “vast majority” of those who had adverse effects had drunk less than the recommended maximum of one or two drinks a day. The scientists behind the study have backed the Mirror campaign calling for restrictions on the sale of energy drinks to under-16s.

Prof David Hammond, of the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada, said: “The number of health effects seen in our study suggests more must be done to restrict consumption among children and youth.” The energy drinks contain about 80mg of caffeine per 100ml, which is roughly the same as three cans of Coca-Cola, according to the UK Food Standards Agency.

But the drinks many also contain up to 14 teaspoons of sugar and come in 500ml cans.

Prof Hammond said: “The fin findings suggest a need to in increase surveillance of the he health effects.”

Waitrose will refuse to sell en energy drinks to under-16s fro from March 5.

Waitrose director Simon M Moore, said: “These drinks ca carry advice stating they are no not recommended for children, so we’re choosing to act on that guidance.”