A judgement is quickly made: «It tastes like liquid gummy bears,» says Felix. The 13-year-old loves the kick from the can. Felix drinks three cans of Red Bull a day. With his body weight of 55 kilos, he consumes 240 mg of caffeine a day, which is equivalent to about three cups of coffee. This exceeds even the upper limit recommended by the European Food Safety Authority for adults, which is 3 mg per kilo of body weight.
High consumption of energy drinks among young people
One in five eleven-year-olds already drinks an energy drink once a week.
Vigilant and sugar
Energy drinks consist mainly of caffeine, sugar and additives: a can of Red Bull contains 80 mg of caffeine, around nine sugar cubes, the amino acid taurine, B-complex vitamins and water. As energy drinks are very sweet, citric acid is often added to compensate for this. The risks relate precisely to these four ingredients: caffeine, sugar, additives and acidity. «It is not yet possible to assess the possible consequences, as there is a lack of long-term studies,» says Steffi Schlüchter, nutritionist at the Swiss Society for Nutrition. The society, which counts teachers, nutritionists, nutritionists, scientists and doctors among its members, does not recommend energy drinks for children and young people.
Caffeine stimulant
The main feature of energy drinks is the caffeine. This has an effect on the nervous and cardiovascular systems. Shortly after consuming caffeine, your pulse, blood pressure and sugar levels rise. You feel energised, which lasts for several hours. «Children react more intensely to caffeine than adults,» says Steffi Schlüchter. Sensitivity or overdose can lead to a racing heart, nervousness and irritability. Heart problems or anxiety are possible consequences. «The stimulating effect of caffeine can lead to disturbed attention and hyperactivity or sleep disorders in children,» warns the nutritionist.
However, young people also show symptoms and side effects associated with the consumption of energy drinks. This is confirmed by a recent US study by Bashir et al.: «Almost all study participants reported headaches, one in two reported aggression and one in five reported breathing problems.» The websites of energy drink manufacturers try to reassure people: Caffeine is a natural product that «occurs in more than 60 plants» and is «found in many foods, including chocolate».
Risk of calories and tooth decay
The high sugar and acid content harbours further risks. A link between the consumption of sweetened drinks and obesity in children and adolescents is proven and well known. Energy drinks also have a higher acid content than sweetened drinks. «Acids such as citric acid, which is often used, cause erosion on the teeth,» warns Dr Giorgio Menghini from the Clinic for Preventive Dentistry, Periodontology and Cariology at the University of Zurich's Centre for Dental Medicine. Sugar already has a cariogenic effect, plus the acid attacks the tooth enamel. «This has a long-term negative effect on dental health,» says Menghini.
After every sip from the can, your teeth are bathed in sugar and acid.
Additives with an unclear effect
Engergydrinks in brief
The best known is Red Bull, which was launched in Austria in 1987 and has been authorised in Switzerland since 1994. Numerous drinks retailers and food companies such as Migros and Coop now offer their own products. Since 2014, mixed alcohol and energy drinks have also been permitted in Switzerland, which is a step backwards in terms of prevention measures, according to Addiction Switzerland.
