RIVM: “Excessive use of energy drinks harmful to teenagers”

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The RIVM announces that more than nineteen thousand children between the ages of thirteen and eighteen are at increased risk of heart rhythm disorders, sleep problems, and impaired nervous system. Cause: Excessive consumption of energy drinks that are harmful to health.

Energy drinks

For the study by the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), over 60,000 Dutch youths were asked about their consumption behavior. The data were analyzed with the help of six Municipal Health Services (GGDs). The reason for the study was the warning issued by the Dutch Association of Pediatrics earlier this year. The young people who drink three or more cans per day also seem to have difficulties in other areas. They are more likely to have divorced parents, more likely to experience abuse, smoke more, and use more frequently. Symptoms may include heart problems, sleep problems, damage to the nervous system, anxiety, and dizziness. The figures show that boys drink energy drinks more often than girls. Among pre-vocational education students (vmbo), consumption appears to be the highest, while among pre-university education students (vwo) it is the lowest. Although these figures may be alarming, regular consumption seems to be a problem for only 95 percent of young people, according to the AD. Provided it is not combined with other caffeine-containing drinks or consumed in large quantities in a short period. A storm in a can of Bullit?

“Preferably not”

According to State Secretary Paul Blokhuis of Public Health, excessive use must be addressed. Youth health care, general practitioners, and pediatricians should pay more attention to excessive consumption of these drinks and discourage children from drinking them. The Nutrition Center should examine how existing advice on energy drinks can be better communicated. Earlier this week, we wrote about ALDI, which will no longer sell energy drinks to children under the age of fourteen after the summer. This also applies to LIDL. Blokhuis is pleased with that age limit. Two years ago, AH already banned large cans of Monster Energy. The advice for children under 13 is not to drink energy drinks at all. Above that age, the advice is preferably not to drink energy drinks, and if so, to drink a maximum of one can per day.

The harmfulness of energy drinks is due to the presence of sugar, caffeine, and other active substances and leads to health complaints with three cans or more per day. Arienne de Jong, Head of Nutrition & Health at the RIVM

Problem child checklist

Does this mean that parents may need to add to their checklist? Upon your child’s return home:

• Check if the clothing smells like cigarette smoke
• Check the breath for alcohol
• Check the eyes for signs of marijuana use
• Take a blood sample and have it tested for taurine

How much weight does the role of parents actually carry compared to the influence of slick marketing behind some energy drinks?

Go Max!

Energy drinks have been under fire for years, and we are seeing more and more steps to counteract (excessive) use. Restrictions on sales and marketing, campaigns focused on the dangers, etc. We have seen such developments before with tobacco and alcohol. I also wondered how long we can still cheer when the young Max crosses the finish line first, advertising an ‘undesirable’ product. That entire connection young-fast-success-energy drink, can that still be justified? Apparently, I am not alone in this thought. Searching for information on current restrictions on advertising in Formula 1, I came across an article from yesterday on an F1 blog where the same question was asked. But it is just one example of the discussions that will increasingly be held about the place of energy drinks in the food market. If they should have a place there at all.