What a can of Red Bull does to your child's body

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

According to Sucht Schweiz, however, young people over the age of 12 should not consume more than 100 mg of caffeine per day. Felix also consumes around 400 extra calories with the energy drinks. However, this does not quench his thirst, as the drinks are very sweet.

His colleagues, who are almost two years older, already mix the energy drinks with alcohol. Felix's parents strictly forbid him to do this. Otherwise, they are tolerant - although they also keep asking themselves how dangerous energy drinks really are.

One in five eleven-year-olds already drinks an energy drink once a week.

Today, energy drinks are mainly drunk by young people. This makes them the focus of manufacturers, who advertise the drinks with cool designs and unusual sports sponsorship. With success: a study conducted by the European Food Safety Authority in 2015 found that 68 per cent of 10 to 18-year-olds regularly consume energy drinks.

A Swiss study published in the Public Library of Science PLOS (Öffentliche Bibliothek der Wissenschaften) in 2015 shows similar dimensions. According to a recent Swiss school survey, one in five 11-year-olds in Switzerland drinks an energy drink at least once a week, and one in two 15-year-olds.

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.

Another problem is that energy drinks are drunk in sips over a long period of time. The teeth are constantly bathed in sugar and acid: "Tooth damage depends less on the total amount and more on the duration of exposure."

Sucht Schweiz also warns against mixing energy drinks and alcohol, as "sugar and caffeine mask the effects of alcohol".

Additives with an unclear effect

Most energy drinks contain additives such as glucorone lactone taurine or L-carnitine. "Taurine is found in various foods, such as meat and fish," says Steffi Schlüchter. It is involved in many processes in the human body, but its exact effect is not fully understood.

The situation is similar with L-carnitine or glucorone lactone. "It is also not clear whether and how these additives really affect performance," emphasises Schlüchter. The lack of data therefore advises caution. Sara M. Seifert from the Children's Hospital in Miami came to the same conclusion in her study published a few years ago. "The pharmacological effect of the additives can trigger serious adverse effects that we are not yet aware of," she concludes. She and her team are therefore calling for regulation and more research into the long-term effects.

So be careful with energy drinks. People who are sensitive to caffeine are particularly at risk. These include expectant mothers and especially children and adolescents. When asked at what age energy drinks can be consumed without hesitation, nutritionist Steffi Schlüchter waves them away: "Actually at any age. The best drink is water!"