Energy Drinks Contain Caffeine Harmful to Children

More than a third of American kids aged 12 to 14 regularly consume caffeinated energy drinks loaded with sugar and additives, despite growing evidence they can trigger serious reactions in vulnerable children. New findings highlight these beverages’ hidden dangers and lack of regulation.

Yes, energy drinks like Red Bull and Monster contain significant caffeine—often more than labeled—and other stimulants. Research shows they can cause heart palpitations, seizures, and even cardiac arrest in children, particularly those with diabetes, depression, or heart, kidney, and liver conditions.

What’s in Energy Drinks?

Popular energy drinks such as Red Bull and Monster contain caffeine along with other stimulants like Guarana—an ingredient that delivers between 40 to 80 milligrams of caffeine per gram. While brands disclose caffeine content, studies reveal actual levels often exceed labeled amounts. These drinks also include sugar and various unregulated additives, some of which remain under scientific investigation.

Health Risks for Children

According to research published in the American journal Pediatrics and additional surveys, energy drink consumption can lead to severe health responses in children. These include heart palpitations, seizures, and in extreme cases, cardiac arrest or death. Kids with certain pre-existing conditions—diabetes, depression, or heart, liver, and kidney diseases—are especially at risk. One researcher, Judith Schaechter, noted that in 2007, 46% of the 5,448 reported caffeine overdoses in the U.S. involved individuals under the age of 19.

Lack of Regulation and Misleading Information

Despite their widespread use, energy drinks remain largely unregulated, and many of their ingredients are still under research. Although products like Red Bull are sold in 160 countries and consumed billions of times annually, safety approvals vary. A Red Bull spokesperson stated that their product is deemed safe by health authorities globally and falls under FDA oversight. However, experts warn that actual caffeine content in some energy drinks can surpass what’s on the label, and that youth often consume more caffeine from coffee than from energy drinks of the same volume—though mainstream energy drinks typically contain half the caffeine of a same-sized coffee shop brew.

Market Growth and Public Consumption

Energy drink sales have shown steady growth, rising from $65 billion in 2008 to $69 billion in 2009, with expectations of further increases in 2010. This upward trend reflects high consumption rates, especially among young people, despite the documented risks.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much caffeine is in energy drinks like Red Bull and Monster?

While exact numbers vary by brand and product, energy drinks often contain higher caffeine levels than labeled. For example, Guarana, a common additive, can deliver between 40 to 80 milligrams of caffeine per gram. Mainstream energy drinks generally contain about half the caffeine of the same volume of coffee from a café, though children often get more caffeine from coffee than from energy drinks of equivalent size.

Are energy drinks regulated for safety?

Energy drinks are not tightly regulated, and many ingredients, including Guarana, are still under scientific study. Brands like Red Bull state their products are approved by health authorities and fall under FDA oversight, but actual caffeine content can exceed labeled values, posing risks especially to children.

Which children are most at risk from energy drinks?

Kids with diabetes, depression, or heart, liver, and kidney diseases are particularly vulnerable. Studies show these children can experience heart palpitations, seizures, cardiac arrest, or even death after consuming energy drinks.

How common is energy drink consumption among children?

Research indicates that one-third of children aged 12 to 14 regularly drink energy drinks. In 2007, 46% of the 5,448 reported caffeine overdoses in the U.S. were among people under 19, highlighting the widespread and risky consumption among youth.

Do energy drinks contain more caffeine than coffee?

Mainstream energy drinks typically have about half the caffeine of the same volume of coffee from a café. However, because they are often consumed in addition to other caffeine sources, kids may still ingest more total caffeine from coffee than from energy drinks of the same size.