Poisoning of energy drinks in children
Cases of energy drink poisoning in children under 6 are on the rise; the results of a study presented at the last conference (2014) of the American Heart Association state this ; moreover, according to the results of this research, more than 40% of the appeals to the anti-poison centers examined, due to adverse events caused by energy drinks, concerned this age group.
Energy drinks should not enter even the smallest amounts in the diet of children, especially in children, because their composition is not suitable for children . These products, in fact, can contain even very high doses of caffeine and other exciting substances ; really excessive amounts for a child's metabolism.
Consider that in the can of an energy drink there can be up to 400 mg of caffeine; a cup of coffee contains, on average, about a third. In children under the age of 12, caffeine can be toxic at doses of 2.5 mg or more per kilogram of body weight.
In addition to caffeine, energy drinks contain substances whose use has not been tested in children. We do not know, therefore, what effect they could have when taken alone or associated with each other.
What energy drinks contain
In addition to caffeine and water, energy drinks can contain:
- taurine, a substance that enhances the energy effects of caffeine;
- guarana, a plant with stimulating effects and also containing caffeine;
- capsaicin, a substance with a vasodilator effect;
- green tea, another stimulant;
- ginseng extract, a tonic;
- invigorating and stimulating ginger
- and, of course, sugars .
Energy drinks are not soft drinks
Soft drinks, intended as sugary drinks and often also with added carbon dioxide, are not good for children, especially as they favor overweight, obesity and dental caries. Unfortunately, these are widespread products, which are almost never missing at children's parties and often not even on the everyday table.
Energy drinks, which are sometimes considered equal to drinks and offered to children as an alternative to them, are much worse and should not be compared to normal sugary drinks.
Energy drinks, in fact, can interfere with the activity of the heart and nervous system and this is valid for everyone, but, obviously, especially for children, whose organism is not yet mature and has a reduced tolerance to the effects of caffeine .
Energy drinks in adolescence
In adolescents, then, when the consumption of alcohol begins to grow, energy drinks are associated with an additional risk, as these are, in fact, often taken together with alcohol.
In 2010, the Food and Drug Administration, the American body that oversees drugs and food, has banned the sale of packaged energy drinks containing alcohol, due to the risks associated with this association.
Unfortunately, boys tend to consume them together because energy drinks can give the (wrong) feeling of fighting the sedative effects of alcohol.
