Energy drinks that contain up to 16 TEASPOONS of sugar

Energy drinks should be banned for children under the age of 16 due to their high sugar levels, campaigners have said.

The worst offending drink is the Punched Energy and Tropical Guava Flavour product from Rockstar, which contains a staggering 78g, or 20 teaspoons, of sugar per 500ml serving – more than three times the daily recommendation of 25g for women and 38g for men.

The brand’s Super Sours Energy Drink Bubbleburst and Xdurance Performance Energy Blueberry, Pomegranate and Acai Flavour each have 70g, or 17 teaspoons, per 500ml.

Caffeine and calorie content also remain at concerning high levels despite the impending ‘soft drinks tax’ next year.

The study also analysed the ingredients of products measuring between 150 and 1,000ml, however, 500ml is the standard on-the-go drink bottle size.  

Co-author of the study, Professor Graham MacGregor, of Queen Mary University of London and chairman of Action on Sugar, said: ‘They are completely inappropriate for children to consume, form no part of a healthy balanced diet, and should be banned for under 16s.’

Action on Sugar is now calling for a complete ban on the products for under 16s.

Its study found energy drinks are typically larger than other fizzy drinks, at an excessive 500 ml – twice the standard serving.

Furthermore, the average sugar content was more than an adult’s entire maximum daily recommendation for sugar intake in the UK.

Likewise, 78 percent of products this year exceeded the maximum daily recommendation for sugar intake for a child aged seven to ten 10 years – 24 g or six teaspoons.

Co-author of the study, Professor Graham MacGregor, of Queen Mary University of London and chairman of Action on Sugar, said: ‘This study illustrates the huge contribution of energy drinks to sugar intake, which is linked to the development of obesity and various types of cancer, as well as type 2 diabetes and rotting our children’s teeth.

‘They are completely inappropriate for children to consume, form no part of a healthy balanced diet, and should be banned for under 16s.’

Other products laden with sugar included Relentless Energy Drink Passion Punch, with 70g per 500ml serving.

The study, published in BMJ Open, reveals the sugar, calorie and caffeine content of energy drinks for the first time.

It showed a 10 per cent reduction in sugar from 10.6g to 9.5g/100 ml and a six per cent reduction in calorie content per 100 ml between 2015 and 2017 highlighting that certain manufacturers have started to reformulate before the Soft Drinks Industry Levy in April.

Soft drinks are the main contributor of sugar intake in children (4-10 years) and teenagers (11-18 years) as well as the second main contributor in adults (18-64 years), contributing to a staggering 30%, 40% and 25% of sugar intake, respectively.

Youngsters in the UK are among the highest consumers of energy drinks in Europe.

The researchers said to reduce the amount of sugar, calorie and caffeine consumed from energy drinks, larger serving sizes (500 ml bottles and cans) should be restricted, while warning labels for caffeine should be kept.

But to reduce the harmful impact of energy drinks, further reductions in sugar, calorie and caffeine are urgently needed, they said.

Other measures such as a ban on the sale of energy drinks to children, which was previously called for by Action on Sugar and is now backed by Jamie Oliver and school teachers, should also be implemented.

Co author Kawther Hashem, a nutritionist at Action on Sugar, added: ‘Whilst it is encouraging to see some energy drinks manufacturers have reduced sugar in advance of the levy next spring, the huge can and bottle sizes (500ml) means youngsters are still consuming far too much unnecessary sugar and caffeine.

‘It is clear further reductions in both sugar and caffeine are urgently needed, and they should get rid of large serving sizes – action must be taken now without further delay.’ 

Rockstar and Relentless have been approached for comment.

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