Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Energy drinks have gained a lot of popularity in the last few decades. However, scientists suggest that energy drinks and young children do not mix well and energy drinks may cause heart problems in children.

There are actually no health benefits to energy drinks. In fact, the combination of different chemicals is likely to do more harm than good, especially for children, said a foreign TV channel.

Some of the unwelcome side effects of the drinks include elevated heart rates, hypertension, anxiety, headaches and interrupted sleep patterns. A recent study by the University of Miami suggests even more serious outcomes, such as heart palpitations, strokes and sudden death.

“Listen, I know it is hard to believe that something that looks like soda could cause any of these symptoms. But let us look at the facts. Energy drinks have three to five times the amount of caffeine as regular sodas do. They also include a number of unregulated herbal stimulants and natural blends like taurine, guarana, creatine and B-vitamins. And a lot of the time, they do not even bother to list these ingredients on the label. Does this sound like a product you want your child guzzling down to get them through the school day. I know we are all busy, and your child probably has a number of extracurricular activities, tests and projects going on all at once, but energy drinks are not the answer,” highlighted the researcher.

The sad thing is that it all boils down to common sense. These products get on the market, and they have flashy colors and cool commercials. The advertisers are specifically targeting kids.

What happened was companies do not care about children’s health, government regulators do not know what they are doing. From a health care perspective, it has been obvious all along. These things can lead to no good.

There certainly have not been any studies showing the health benefits of these drinks. Actually, it is quite the contrary; these drinks can be dangerous, according to this latest study from researchers at the University of Miami. Parents should not let their kids drink this stuff, and companies must stop targeting children, claims research.

The study suggests that other compounds barring caffeine in the energy drinks may also be responsible for the side effects of these drinks. Many ingredients in the drinks may have not been tested for health safety in children at all by health agencies. These compounds have also not been tested in combination to find their effects on young children.

The research calls for improved and clear labeling on energy drinks that also highlights the consequences to adults and children.