Ministers have vowed to ban the sale of energy drinks to children. Energy drinks such as Red Bull and Monster are causing growing concerns about how the contents of such drinks are having on the health of young people.
Energy drinks contain very high levels of caffeine and sugar which can "substantially increase the risk of becoming overweight or obese" according to a report by the NHS conducted by the Daily Mail.
"Children should avoid energy drinks due to ‘toxic’ levels of caffeine," reported the Daily Mail. The news is based on a clinical report of the ingredients of sports and energy drinks and a review of previous research into their effects on children. The researchers combined these findings with expert opinion to make recommendations about the suitability of these drinks for children and teenagers.
The Government have asked for public opinion on what age the bank should apply to, but have suggested both 'below 18' and 'below 16' as options.
Theresa May has confirmed the consultation is linked to the government’s childhood obesity strategy and said it was necessary to examine the consumption of energy drinks “often because they are sold at cheaper prices than soft drinks”.
The reasoning behind the proposed ban is simply due to the high levels of both caffeine and sugar in the energy drinks. Both of which have been linked to numerous help concerns in younger people.
A Standard 250ml can of Red Bull contains roughly 80mg of caffeine, around the same as a cup of coffee. Monster Energy drinks generally come in 500ml cans and contain 160mg of caffeine.
Energy drinks also contain much higher levels of sugar than regular soft drinks. Reports suggest energy drinks may contain 60% more calories and 65% more sugar.
How will this be regulated?
Although no punishments have been outlined as of yet. It is believed that shops who sell energy drinks to minors, will receive a fine of up to £2,500. The same fine which is imposed if cigarettes are sold to children.
There is no evidence that energy drinks have any nutritional value at all, and the ban has been welcomed by campaigners including Jamie Oliver.
“too many children are regularly using them to replace breakfast” and “teachers from across the country have told me how their lessons are disrupted because of these drinks, packed with stimulants”.
Back in 2000, calls for more research were demanded after 18-year old Ross Cooney died after drinking four cans of energy drinking during a basketball match.
“for the average child engaged in routine physical activity, the use of sports drinks in place of water in the sports field or school lunchroom is generally unnecessary. Stimulant-containing energy drinks have no place in the diets of children or adolescents.” Daily Mail report
Photo by thom masat on Unsplash
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