More than half of young people suffer devastating side effects from energy drinks

More than half of young people experience side effects from energy drinks, new research reveals.

As The Daily Mail reports, some 55 percent of those aged between 12 and 24 years old suffer everything from vomiting and chest pains to even seizures from the drinks, despite most consuming less than the recommended one-to-two beverages a day, a Canadian study found today.

As well as the drinks' alarmingly high caffeine levels, the researchers believe consuming them with alcohol or during exercise makes them even more dangerous, and urge for them to be banned for young children.

Earlier this month, celebrity chef Jamie Oliver spoke about his campaign to ban the sale of 'addictive' energy drinks to children amid claims teachers are forced to change their lesson plans as youngsters are unable to concentrate while suffering 'highs' after drink consumption.

Energy drinks can contain around 160mg of caffeine, despite 105mg being the safe daily limit for 11 year olds.

Professor Steven Lipshultz, pediatric cardiologist at the Children’s Hospital of Michigan in Detroit previously said a 10-year-old could get caffeine poisoning after consuming 80mg of caffeine, while a 12-year-old may suffer symptoms, including hallucinations and convulsions, after 100mg.

Sales of energy drinks, such as Red Bull and Monster, in the UK increased by 185 per cent between 2006 and 2015, making the market worth more than £2 billion.  

'Vast majority' consume less than recommended safe levels 

The researchers from, the University of Waterloo in Ontario, asked 2,055 young people about their consumption of energy drinks. 

Results reveal 24.7 percent of youngsters have experienced a fast heart rate, while 24.1 percent have struggled to sleep, due to energy drink consumption.

Some 18.3 percent have suffered headaches due to the drinks, while 5.1 percent report having experienced nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.   

A further five percent have sought medical attention due to their symptoms and 3.6 percent report experiencing chest pains. 

Alarmingly, 0.2 percent have even suffered seizures after drinking the beverages.

Of those who have suffered symptoms, the 'vast majority' consumed less than the recommended one-to-two energy drinks a day. 

The findings were published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal. 

Consuming energy drinks with alcohol may make them worse

The researchers believe caffeine alone may not be responsible for energy drinks' negative health effects. 

Lead author Professor David Hammond said: 'Most risk assessments to date have used coffee as a reference for estimating the health effects of energy drinks, however, it is clear these products pose a greater health risk. 

'The health effects from energy [drinks] could be due to different ingredients than coffee, or the ways in which they are consumed, including with alcohol or during physical activity.'

Waitrose banned sales to children 

The researchers add more needs to be done to restrict children from being able to purchase energy drinks.

Professor Hammond said: 'At the moment, there are no restrictions on children purchasing energy drinks, and they are marketed at the point-of-sale in grocery stores, as well as advertising that targets children.' 

Earlier this month, Waitrose announced it is voluntarily banning the sale of energy drinks to children. This will be introduced from March 5.

Simon Moore, the supermarket's director of technical and corporate social responsibility, said: 'As a responsible retailer we want to sell these products in line with the labeling guidance.

'These drinks carry advice stating that they are not recommended for children, so we're choosing to proactively act on that guidance, particularly given the widespread concerns which have been raised about these drinks when consumed by under 16s.' 

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