Adolescents and caffeine containing beverages: To take or not to take energy drinks?

Abstract

Energy drinks (EDs) are beverages marketed to improve energy, weight loss, attention, athletic performance, and concentration. Caffeine is the main active ingredient in EDs; many of them contain 70–80 mg of caffeine for a 33 cl serving. Heavy caffeine consumption, such as drinking EDs, has been associated with serious consequences such as seizures, mania, stroke, and sudden death. Adolescent's and child's caffeine consumption should not exceed 100 mg/day and 2.5 mg/kg/day, respectively. The daily caffeine's intake should take account of all sources of this substance (coffee, tea, soft and energy drinks). Objective: (1) To investigate the extent of energy drink consumption in adolescents; (2) to understand the reasons why teens’ consumption is widespread; (3) to estimate the amount of daily caffeine taken from coffee and beverages containing caffeine (including EDs). Methods: A self-report questionnaire related to EDs’ consumption has been developed and then proposed to 1232 students aged 12–19 years old (mean age 14.8 ± 3.8). The data have been collected and then analyzed. Results: According to our surveys, EDs are consumed by 378/1232 (30.7%) of subjects; among them 27/378 (7.1%) drink these beverages 1 time/day at least, 122/378 (32.3%) 1–2 times/week and 179/378 (47.3%) 1–2 times/month. Most of them, 341/378 (90.2%) admit to consume EDs for the flavour, 147/378 (38.9%) find them refreshing, 68/378 (18%) and 39/378 (10.3%) declare to achieve an improvement in sports performance and intellectual activity, respectively. 270/378 (71.4%) of participants declare to consume these beverages when outside, 106/378 (28%) at meals, 74/378 (19.6%) in front of TV/PC, only 39/378 (10.3%) at school and 38/378 (10%) during or after physical exercise. We have also evaluated the amount (in mg) of caffeine (from coffee and caffeinated beverages) taken daily. Among consumers of caffeine (891/1232 – 72.3%), 495/891 (55.5%) consume less than the daily maximum level allowed, 265/891 (29.7%) consume between 100 and 200 mg/day of caffeine and 131/891 (14.7%) exceed the maximum dose, consuming daily more than 200 mg and up to 300 mg/day. Conclusions: Our data show that, among a pediatric population consuming caffeine, 396/891 of subjects (44.4%) exceeded the maximum recommended dose. Pediatricians should be aware of the possible effects of EDs and screen for their consumption to educate children and their families to decrease or eliminate the inappropriate use of these beverages.