Energy drink
Energy drinks are beverages whose producers say they can "can boost energy". This claim has to do with vitamins and stimulants in these drinks. Examples of energy drinks are Red Bull and Monster Energy. They are usually well liked by young people. 66% of energy drink sales are to people between the ages of 14 and 35. Up to a third of children in the UK have at least one energy drink every week.
They are a subset of the larger group of energy products, which includes bars and gels; they are also different from sports drinks, which are advertised to improve sports performance. There are many brands and varieties in this drink category.[1][2]
Energy drinks have the effects of caffeine and sugar, but there is little or no evidence that many other ingredients have any effect.[3] Most effects of energy drinks on cognitive performance, such as increased attention and reaction speed, are primarily due to the presence of caffeine.[4] Other studies ascribe those performance improvements to the effects of the combined ingredients.[5]
There is evidence that these drinks are harmful to the mental and physical health of children and young people, as well as their behaviour and education. Some supermarkets have introduced a voluntary ban on the sale of energy drinks to under-16s. The British government said they would ban energy drinks for under-16s in England in 2019, but in 2024 that has not happened. The British Soft Drinks Association says their voluntary code of practice says BSDA members do not market or promote energy drinks to under-16s.[6]
Energy Drink Media
Power Horse Energy Drink336
A nutrition facts label for an energy drink
Prime energy drinks being sold a store in Sydney. A sign posted informs that the store restricts the sale of the drink to only those over the age of 18 (the age of majority in Australia) and limits customers and groups to a maximum of six cans each.
References
- ↑ Miyeong, Han. Energy drink, does it really work?. Health Chosun News (19 February 2012). Retrieved 2023-03-23.
- ↑ Haesoo, Lee. The four main ingredients of energy drinks. Global Economic (11 November 2014). Retrieved 2023-03-23.
- ↑ Do energy drinks contain active components other than caffeine?. Nutr Rev 70 (12) (2012). p. 730–44. doi:10.1111/j.1753-4887.2012.00525.x.
- ↑ Van Den Eynde, F. The effects of energy drinks on cognitive performance. Tijdschrift voor Psychiatrie 50 (5) (2008). p. 273–81.
- ↑ Alford, C.. The effects of red bull energy drink on human performance and mood. Amino Acids 21 (2) (1 January 2001). p. 139–150. doi:10.1007/s007260170021. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
- ↑ Labour considering ban on sale of energy drinks to under-16s (in en). Sky News. Retrieved 2024-02-12.