Surge in energy drink use among young people raises health alarms

Energy drinks are increasingly coming under scrutiny as evidence mounts that they pose serious health risks to children and adolescents at a crucial stage of brain and physical development.

Despite delivering near-adult — and sometimes extreme — doses of caffeine in a single can, these products continue to be sold in the United States and the United Kingdom with minimal regulatory oversight and weak warning labels.

What began with the launch of Red Bull in the mid-1990s has expanded into a vast global industry, now flooding markets with hundreds of energy drink brands.

Caffeine levels in these products range from about 50 milligrams (mg) to an eye-watering 700 mg per serving. Many drinks approach or exceed the recommended adult daily caffeine limit of 400 mg — a threshold that has never been clearly defined as safe for children.

Consumption figures are raising red flags. Nearly one-third (32%) of children in the U.K. consume energy drinks at least once a week.

In the U.S., they have become the second most commonly used “dietary supplement” among young people, with almost 30% of high school students reporting regular use.

Popular brands such as Monster, Bang Energy and Dragon Energy often contain more than 300 mg of caffeine per can, while Rockstar XDurance in the U.S. reaches the full adult limit.

Alongside caffeine, these drinks typically contain high sugar levels, added stimulants such as taurine, guarana and ginseng, and little to no nutritional value.

Their appeal is amplified by aggressive marketing strategies that target children and young people through gaming platforms, social media, sports sponsorships and prominent supermarket placement.

Red Bull alone reportedly spends up to 30% of its revenue — around €3 billion annually — on lifestyle and extreme sports branding.

Health experts warn that the consequences are no longer speculative. A growing body of research links energy drink consumption among young people to poor sleep, impaired academic performance, dental erosion, severe anxiety, symptoms resembling attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), insulin resistance and depression.

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Studies also associate regular use with increased suicide risk and higher rates of smoking, alcohol use, binge drinking and other risk-taking behaviours.

Mental health concerns are particularly acute. A 2025 study found that for every additional 100 mg of caffeine consumed, depressive symptoms rose by 15%, with those in the highest intake group facing an 85% higher likelihood of depression compared to the lowest.

Other research links energy drink use to anxiety, irritability, aggression, hyperactivity and poor school performance. U.K. data further show that children consuming energy drinks five or more days a week report significantly lower psychological, physical and educational well-being.

Sleep disruption is one of the earliest and most damaging effects. Caffeine delays sleep onset, reduces sleep quality and shortens sleep duration — a vicious cycle in which fatigue drives further stimulant use.

This is especially harmful during adolescence, a developmental period that biologically requires more sleep for healthy growth, mood regulation and learning.

Physical risks are also well documented. Excessive caffeine intake can lead to symptoms of intoxication, including headaches, restlessness, rapid heartbeat and gastrointestinal problems.

In a survey of more than 2,000 young people, nearly a quarter reported heart palpitations or sleep difficulties, and some required medical attention. Energy drink consumers were more than twice as likely as coffee drinkers to experience adverse effects.

Despite the scale of the problem, government action has lagged. In the U.S., many energy drinks are regulated as dietary supplements, meaning there is no official caffeine limit.

In the U.K., they are treated as ordinary beverages, requiring only a label warning that high caffeine content is “not recommended for children.” Critics argue this approach places responsibility on young, impressionable consumers rather than on manufacturers or regulators.

Other countries have taken firmer steps. Lithuania introduced a ban on sales to under-18s in 2014, followed by similar restrictions in Latvia, Poland, Romania, Hungary and Bulgaria. Several non-European countries have also imposed bans or limits. In contrast, U.K. efforts have repeatedly stalled.

Public health experts warn that caffeine dependence among children reflects a deeper issue: a generation normalised into chronic stimulation while policy protections lag behind evidence.

They argue that safeguarding young people requires more than warning labels — it demands enforceable regulations, education and accountability.

With the global energy drink market valued at $79.39 billion in 2024 and projected to exceed $125 billion by 2030, campaigners say the stakes could not be higher. Closing the regulatory blind spot, they argue, is no longer optional but essential to protect children’s health, development and long-term well-being.