Why Energy Drinks Are Unsafe for Kids
Energy drinks are a popular choice for a quick energy boost, but their growing consumption among young people is raising serious health concerns. Recent research from Epic Cosmos – a database created in collaboration with a community of health systems – shows that caffeine-related emergency department visits have doubled for children and teens since 2017.
Health experts are warning about the harms of energy drinks, such as heart palpitations, anxiety, high blood pressure, upset stomach, insomnia and dehydration. Despite these concerns, teens are increasing their use of caffeine. While rare, caffeine overdoses – ingesting too much caffeine in a short period of time – can even lead to cardiac arrest and death.
In a study of 223 million emergency department visits between 2017 and 2023, researchers found that the rate of caffeine-related incidents for middle school aged children increased from 3.1 to 6.5 per 100,000 visits. Similarly, the rate of caffeine-related incidents for high school aged children increased from 7.5 to 13.7 per 100,000 visits.
Notably, in all but the youngest population, male patients had almost triple the rate of caffeine-related emergency department visits than female patients. This aligns with prior findings that males have an increased response to caffeine, which might result in more adverse reactions.
Energy drinks often contain much higher levels of caffeine than sodas, coffee or tea. Recognizing the dangers, both the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the American Academy of Pediatrics strongly advise against giving energy drinks to children or teens, warning that the potential health risks far outweigh any benefits.
For example, regularly consuming sugary and caffeinated drinks can also contribute to weight gain, tooth decay and diabetes. Since caffeine is addictive, children may experience symptoms like headaches, fatigue and irritability once its effects wear off. Caffeine may also contribute to hyperactivity, attention issues and poor decision-making.
To protect children’s health, parents should offer water and milk as primary drink options. Water hydrates naturally without added sugar, while milk provides calcium, protein and essential vitamins that support growth and development. By avoiding sugary, caffeinated drinks, parents can help kids stay healthy and hydrated.
For more information on how to help kids stay healthy and hydrated, visit HealthyChildren.org. Raising awareness can help ensure that kids and teens make safer, healthier choices in the future.
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