Energy drinks bad for kids' mental and physical health
Energy drinks were found to be 'harmful to the mental and physical health of children and young people', and affected their behaviour and education.
The study, which was published in the journal, Public Health, found children who drink them are not only more likely to have suicidal thoughts, but also have an increased risk of suffering from anxiety - and perform worse at school.
Other risks associated with energy drink consumption included psychological distress, ADHD symptoms, depressive and panic behaviours, allergic diseases, insulin resistance, and dental issues.
Children and teens who consume energy drinks were also more likely to skip school, have less healthy lifestyles, experience disordered eating, and have unsafe sex, the study found.
In the UK, there is now a call to make energy drinks illegal for under 16's to buy.
Lead author of the study, Amelia Lake said: "Energy drinks are marketed to children and young people as a way to improve energy and performance, but our findings suggest that they are actually doing more harm than good.
"We have raised concerns about the health impacts of these drinks for the best part of a decade..."
Researchers from Teesside University and Newcastle University in the UK analysed 57 existing studies published between 2016 and 2022 that look at the effects energy drinks have on children and young people up to age 21.
This included a total of 1.2 million children and young people spanning more than 21 countries.
Disturbing findings linked to health
And what they found was disturbing to say the least.
The studies included in the review found a "strong association" with energy drink consumption and smoking, alcohol use, binge drinking, and other substance use.
More concerningly, for those not already engaged in these behaviours, those who drank energy drinks were 'more likely' to intend to get involved in them.
Professor Lake added: "The evidence is clear that energy drinks are harmful to the mental and physical health of children and young people as well as their behaviour and education.
"We need to take action now to protect them from these risks"
'Public Health Concerns'
Co-author of the study, Dr Shelina Visram said: 'We are deeply concerned about the findings that energy drinks can lead to psychological distress and issues with mental health.
'These are important public health concerns that need to be addressed.'