Energy drinks hide up to 21 teaspoons of sugar and risky levels of caffeine
October 24, 2016
Leading health experts are urging students to avoid using energy drinks to fuel study sessions and exams as some products deliver an enormous 21 teaspoons of sugar and as much caffeine as two and a half espresso shots.
The 13 health and community organisations behind Rethink Sugary Drink warn that energy drinks can leave students struggling to concentrate when they need to most and regular consumption can lead to serious health problems in the long term.
“Some large energy drinks contain up to 21 teaspoons of sugar and as much caffeine as two and a half shots of espresso, making them a risky drink choice for anyone, but especially for students who may be consuming several a day during this stressful end of year exam period,” Cancer Council Australia’s Public Health Committee Chair, Craig Sinclair, said.
“The high levels of caffeine and sugar in energy drinks cause energy and blood sugar levels to spike, but after about an hour the caffeine and sugar in your body starts to wear off and you’ll feel tired and lethargic. So in the middle of your exam or study session, your energy levels are likely to crash making it difficult to focus.
“If consumed regularly the high sugar content in energy drinks can lead to weight gain and obesity, increasing your risk of heart and kidney disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke and some cancers.” Australian Dental Association’s Oral Health Committee Chair, Dr Peter Alldritt, said energy drinks are also a major contributing factor to tooth decay and tooth erosion.
“Sipping slowly and constantly on energy drinks during a study session is a disaster for teeth. With every sip, you are exposing your teeth to another attack of acid and sugar – this is a recipe for tooth damage,” Dr Alldritt said.
Energy drinks are growing in popularity, with sales of energy drinks in Australia and New Zealand increasing from 34.5 million litres in 2001 to 155.6 million litres in 2010. Energy drink sales have risen by an average of 6.7 per cent a year since 2010.
Rethink Sugary Drink is concerned about the rise of energy drinks as brands target our young people with clever marketing tactics.
“We’ve seen enormous growth in the energy drinks market in the past few years with new brands, flavours and larger sizes now available and just like other types of sugary drinks, energy drinks are heavily marketed as the ideal drink of choice for young Australians,” Mr Sinclair said.
“Major energy drink brands like Red Bull, Monster and Rockstar pour enormous amounts of money into partnerships with events and activities young people enjoy, such as extreme sports and music festivals. They are also adept at targeting advertising on social media and in outdoor spaces frequented by young people, in their efforts to develop brand images that are extremely enticing to young people.
“In order to counter this relentless marketing by the beverage industry we need a public education campaign supported by Australian governments to highlight the health impacts of sugary drinks and encourage Australians to reduce their consumption.”
The 13 health and community organisations behind Rethink Sugary Drink warn that energy drinks can leave students struggling to concentrate when they need to most and regular consumption can lead to serious health problems in the long term.
“Some large energy drinks contain up to 21 teaspoons of sugar and as much caffeine as two and a half shots of espresso, making them a risky drink choice for anyone, but especially for students who may be consuming several a day during this stressful end of year exam period,” Cancer Council Australia’s Public Health Committee Chair, Craig Sinclair, said.
“The high levels of caffeine and sugar in energy drinks cause energy and blood sugar levels to spike, but after about an hour the caffeine and sugar in your body starts to wear off and you’ll feel tired and lethargic. So in the middle of your exam or study session, your energy levels are likely to crash making it difficult to focus.
“If consumed regularly the high sugar content in energy drinks can lead to weight gain and obesity, increasing your risk of heart and kidney disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke and some cancers.” Australian Dental Association’s Oral Health Committee Chair, Dr Peter Alldritt, said energy drinks are also a major contributing factor to tooth decay and tooth erosion.
“Sipping slowly and constantly on energy drinks during a study session is a disaster for teeth. With every sip, you are exposing your teeth to another attack of acid and sugar – this is a recipe for tooth damage,” Dr Alldritt said.
Energy drinks are growing in popularity, with sales of energy drinks in Australia and New Zealand increasing from 34.5 million litres in 2001 to 155.6 million litres in 2010. Energy drink sales have risen by an average of 6.7 per cent a year since 2010.
Rethink Sugary Drink is concerned about the rise of energy drinks as brands target our young people with clever marketing tactics.
“We’ve seen enormous growth in the energy drinks market in the past few years with new brands, flavours and larger sizes now available and just like other types of sugary drinks, energy drinks are heavily marketed as the ideal drink of choice for young Australians,” Mr Sinclair said.
“Major energy drink brands like Red Bull, Monster and Rockstar pour enormous amounts of money into partnerships with events and activities young people enjoy, such as extreme sports and music festivals. They are also adept at targeting advertising on social media and in outdoor spaces frequented by young people, in their efforts to develop brand images that are extremely enticing to young people.
“In order to counter this relentless marketing by the beverage industry we need a public education campaign supported by Australian governments to highlight the health impacts of sugary drinks and encourage Australians to reduce their consumption.”