Young people are losing sleep over energy drinks – but a ban won’t be enough to protect them
Young people are losing sleep over energy drinks – but a ban won’t be enough to protect them
The energy drink industry has been booming, with the global market projected to reach a valuation of over $70 billion by 2024. However, the benefits of these products come with significant drawbacks, particularly for young people.
In the past few years, there’s been growing concern about the impact of energy drinks on teenagers. The UK Labour party even proposed a ban on the sale of energy drinks to under-16s, citing concerns about their health impact. The soldiers belonging to the Blues & Royals – part of the king’s ceremonial bodyguards, the Household Cavalry – have also been ordered to stop consuming energy drinks. Recently, Hollywood’s highest-paid actor, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, launched a new campaign for his “healthy” energy drink brand, Zoa.
But despite these moves, energy drinks continue to be incredibly popular among young people. And while bans and regulations may be a necessary step towards protecting their health, they’re unlikely to be enough on their own to address the issue.
A third of children and young adults consume energy drinks regularly
Recent evidence suggests that in the UK, up to a third of children and young adults consume energy drinks regularly. A 2016 systematic review of energy drink consumption by children and young people found that boys are more likely to consume higher amounts than girls.
The link between energy drinks and sleep
Energy drinks can contain as much as 505mg of caffeine per serving, which is equivalent to over 14 cans of cola. For comparison, a typical 250ml cup of coffee contains about 90-140mg of caffeine.
Given this high caffeine content, it’s not surprising that the consumption of energy drinks has been linked to poor sleep quality. Research has found that energy drinks may also contribute to mental health issues among young people, including anxiety, stress, irritability, and depression. All of which are almost certainly linked to disrupted sleep patterns.
Why young people are drawn to energy drinks
Academic research has identified several reasons why young people are drawn to energy drinks. Enjoying the taste, using them to deal with fatigue, and boosting mood and performance are all common motivations.
However, young people are also using energy drinks as a mixer when consuming alcohol. Energy drinks are often combined with alcohol and consumed at parties to give an extra buzz. This trend also has its dangers, as people can end up drinking more alcohol than they realize because the energy drink counters the depressive effect of the alcohol.
The dangers of energy drinks for young people
Young people lack sleep due to numerous factors such as night-time screen use and social media scrolling, academic pressures, and mismatches between school start times and natural sleep-wake rhythms. Energy drinks offer a fast and convenient way to counteract the effects of poor sleep on mood and day-to-day functioning. However, this can create vicious cycles of energy drink use, poor sleep, and deteriorating mental health.
Additionally, energy drink use has been linked to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Young people with ADHD symptoms might use energy drinks as a form of “self-medication” or because they enjoy the feeling or have lower impulse control. As young people with ADHD are already more likely to experience sleep difficulties, they might be an especially vulnerable group for whom energy drink use could exacerbate pre-existing sleep issues.
Bans and regulation are only part of the answer
While bans and regulations are necessary steps towards protecting young people, they’re unlikely to be enough on their own. Equipping young people with the knowledge and skills to manage their sleep and energy cycles will play a crucial role in tackling the global shortage of sleep among young people. Most crucial of all, we need to listen to young people and understand their motivations for using energy drinks so that we can design effective strategies to support them in reducing their consumption.
Conclusion:
The issues surrounding energy drinks and young people are complex and multifaceted. While a ban on the sale of energy drinks to minors is a necessary step towards protecting their health, it’s unlikely to be enough on its own to address the problem. By understanding the motivations behind energy drink use and providing support for young people to manage their sleep and energy cycles, we can work towards a safer and healthier environment for them.
FAQs:
Q: How many children and young adults consume energy drinks regularly?
A: Up to a third of children and young adults in the UK consume energy drinks regularly.
Q: Why do young people use energy drinks?
A: Young people use energy drinks to enjoy the taste, deal with fatigue, boost mood and performance, and as a mixer when consuming alcohol.
Q: Are energy drinks linked to sleep disturbances?
A: Yes, the consumption of energy drinks has been linked to poor sleep quality and increased risk of sleep disturbances.
Q: What are the dangers of energy drink use among young people?
A: The dangers include vicious cycles of energy drink use, poor sleep, and deteriorating mental health, as well as increased risk of mental health issues and sleep disorders.
Q: Why do energy drinks pose a risk to young people with ADHD?
A: Young people with ADHD are already more likely to experience sleep difficulties, and energy drink use can exacerbate these issues and lead to deteriorating mental health.
Q: How can we support young people to reduce their energy drink consumption?
A: By providing education and support on healthy sleep habits, helping young people understand the risks associated with energy drink use, and encouraging alternative healthy beverage options.
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