Energy Drink Consumption Linked to ADHD, Depression, Risky Behavior: Study
Children and adolescents who drink energy drinks may be more likely than their peers to have ADHD, mental health issues, sleep issues, and suicidal ideation, a new U.K. study finds.
February 13, 2024
Energy drink consumption is associated with an elevated risk for physical and mental health conditions such as ADHD, depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation among children and adolescents, according to a new study published in the journal Public Health.1
The study’s U.K. research team linked energy drink consumption with a higher-than-average risk of poor academic performance, sleep problems, unhealthy dietary habits, and risky behaviors. Children and teens who consumed energy drinks were more likely than non-drinkers to engage in unsafe sex and vehicle use, binge drinking, vaping, violent behaviors, and alcohol and substance use.
Energy drink consumption was also tied to increased ADHD inattention, conduct disorder, and depressive and panic symptoms. The rates of suicidal ideation and attempts increased among those who drank more than one energy drink a day compared to non-drinkers.1
The systematic review examined 57 studies about the effects of energy drinks on children and young people up to age 21 from January 2016 to July 2022. The data came from more than 20 countries and involved more than 1.2 million children and young adults. (The review did not include the brands of energy drinks consumed.) The report confirmed findings from a similar review in 2016 conducted by the same research team.2
What Are Energy Drinks?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines an energy drink as “a beverage that typically contains large amounts of caffeine, added sugars, other additives, and legal stimulants such as guarana, taurine, and L-carnitine. Energy drinks are marketed as providing mental and physical stimulation; they contain no nutritional value.
The amount of caffeine in energy drinks typically exceeds adults’ daily recommended doses. Data from the Center for Science in the Public Interest shows that energy drinks may contain as little as 75mg of caffeine — slightly less than one average cup of coffee — or up to 316mg per 8 ounces, the equivalent of more than three cups.
Energy drinks have exploded in popularity in recent years, particularly among teens. A 2013 study of 37,500 children and adolescents in 16 European countries found that 18% of children (3–10 years) and 68% of adolescents (10–18 years) consumed energy drinks in the previous year.8 Between 12% and 35% of children and young adults consume them at least once per week.3
The U.K. study found that male teens consume more energy drinks than do females. Taste and energy-seeking were the main drivers of energy drink use. The study also reported that children and teens may turn to energy drinks as a coping mechanism, out of social acceptance, or to enhance performance on tests and in sports.
Energy Drink Consumption Among Kids with ADHD
Nearly 5% of ADDitude Reader Panel members say their children consume energy drinks every day or regularly, according to a recent survey.
“My children like to drink Prime because they think it’s cool, and they like the taste,” one reader said.
“My daughter tries out the latest fads with energy drinks,” said another reader. “I worry about her caffeine consumption. I keep teaching her to watch the caffeine content and to be careful about how much she drinks. I don’t see her drink them — I just see empty containers in her car — so I can’t say what the effect is on her ADHD symptoms.”
Another reader shared that her daughter (now 21) “has used Red Bull daily since high school. She is currently unmedicated (Her choice, not mine.) I believe it helps her focus a little.”
An additional 12% of ADDitude Reader Panelists said their children occasionally consume energy drinks.
“My teen kids will have an energy drink (Yerba Mate or Celsius) now and then for sports or athletic activities like between soccer games on tournament weekends or when skiing,” a reader said. “It adds to their energy, which is fine when engaging in physically demanding activities. I would not allow it before school as it likely would create jitteriness if they had to sit for hours.”
“My child occasionally swipes a sip of his dad’s Red Bull,” said another reader. “Other than that, he doesn’t drink them. We mostly avoid energy drinks because of the additional additives in them.”
Less than half (44%) of reader panelists said their children are prohibited from consuming energy drinks.
“I am fearful of the jittery anxiety it seems to produce,” one reader said. “The [energy drink] crash has caused my son to melt down and become horribly embarrassed when in public.”
“I do not want myself or my children to have energy drinks because they are high in sugar and caffeine,” another reader said. “We have diabetes and heart disease in our family, and we do not need to add on to that.”
Other readers offer energy drink alternatives. “We don’t allow our kids to have energy drinks as they contain harmful ingredients,” the reader said. “We have allowed our kids to try coffee. They don’t care for the taste, but it did help my son to be less crabby in the morning.”
“There’s too much empty sugar and caffeine in them,” another reader said. “As a special treat, my teens with ADHD buy themselves sweet drinks at Starbucks. I encourage caffeine-free drinks. The body is hard enough to understand and regulate without all the added effects of sugar and caffeine.”
Energy Drinks: Next Steps
The observational study could not prove causality between energy drink consumption and poor health outcomes; the drinks could, for example, be more popular among adolescents with naturally low levels of dopamine and/or those facing higher risks of mental and physical health issues. However, the researchers said their findings were strong enough to suggest policymakers consider banning the sales of these products to children.
“We have raised concerns about the health impacts of these drinks for the best part of a decade after finding that they were sold to children as young as 10 years old [for less] than bottled water,” lead author Amelia Lake, Ph.D., a professor of public health nutrition from Fuse, the Centre for Translational Research in Public Health at Teesside University in England, said in a press release. “The evidence is clear that energy drinks are harmful to the mental and physical health of children and young people as well as their behavior and education. We need to act now to protect them from these risks.”
The American Academy of Pediatrics states that caffeine and other stimulant substances contained in energy drinks have no place in the diet of children and adolescents.4
Keeping Energy Drinks Out of Children’s Hands — and Mouths
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offered the following tips for caregivers and educators:
- Teachers and other school staff can educate students about the danger of consuming too much caffeine, including energy drinks.
- Coaches can educate athletes about the difference between energy and sports drinks and the potential dangers of consuming highly caffeinated beverages.
- School nutrition staff can provide only healthy beverages such as fat-free/low-fat milk, water, and 100% juice in the cafeteria.
- Parents, school staff, and community members can join the school or district wellness committee that sets the policies for health and wellness and establish or revise nutrition standards to address the sale and marketing of energy drinks in school settings.
- Adults can model good behavior by not consuming energy drinks in front of kids.
View Article Sources
1Ajibo, C., Van Griethuysen, A., Visram, S., Lake, A. A. (2024). Consumption of Energy Drinks by Children and Young People: A Systematic Review Examining Evidence of Physical Effects and Consumer Attitudes. Public Health doi: 10.1016/j.puhe.2023.08.024
2Visram, S., Cheetham, M., Riby, D.M., Crossley, S.J., Lake, A.A. (2016). Consumption of Energy Drinks by Children and Young People: A Rapid Review Examining Evidence of Physical Effects and Consumer Attitudes. BMJ Open. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2015-010380
3Zucconi, S., Volpato, C., Adinolfi, F., Gandini, E., Gentile, E., Loi, A., and Fioriti, L. (2013) Gathering Consumption Data on Specific Consumer Groups of Energy Drinks. The European Food Safety Authority Supporting Publications. doi: 10.2903/sp.efsa.2013.EN-394
4Heckman, M.A., Weil, J., Gonzalez De Mejia, E. (2010). Caffeine (1, 3, 7-Trimethylxanthine) in Foods: A Comprehensive Review on Consumption, Functionality, Safety, and Regulatory Matters. Journal of Food Science. 75(3):R77–87. doi: 10.1111/j.1750-3841.2010.01561
