Energy drinks popular with teenagers could contain up to 20 teaspoons of sugar, warn health campaigners
They have called for a ban on the sale of the products to under-16s.
The drinks, which also have high levels of caffeine, have become part of the daily diet of many teenagers, particularly boys.
But they are being blamed for feeding a crisis of obesity and bad behaviour in schools.
Campaigners Action on Sugar warned the drinks – such as Rockstar, Monster and Red Devil – are fuelling a taste for sugar that feeds through into the wider diet.
A survey of 197 such drinks found more than three quarters would receive a ‘red’ label for high sugar using Food Standards Agency guidelines.
Youngsters believe the drinks might give them an edge on the sports field or even boost their performance in the classroom.
However, Action on Sugar says the harm is so serious that the government should take immediate action to implement a legal ban on sales to under 16s.
Sickly: Rockstar energy drinks were among the worst offenders, with one flavour containing the equivalent of 20 teaspoons of sugar per 500ml can
Source: Culled from Mailonline
But some schools are so concerned about the drinks' impact on behaviour, with youngsters becoming loud and unable to concentrate, that they have banned them from their premises.
However, Action on Sugar says the harm is so serious that the government should take immediate action to implement a legal ban on sales to under 16s.
A survey of 197 energy drinks found that 78 per cent would receive a ‘red’ label for high sugar content. Around half contained the same amount or more sugar than Coca Cola.
Sickly: Rockstar energy drinks were among the worst offenders, with one flavour containing the equivalent of 20 teaspoons of sugar per 500ml can
Among the worst offenders was the Rockstar Punched Energy + Guava Tropical Flavour with 15.6g of sugar per 100ml. That means just one 500ml can contains the equivalent of 20 teaspoons of sugar.
The Rockstar Juiced Energy + Juice Mango Orange Passion Fruit Flavour has a similarly high 15.2g/100ml.
The highest sugar content was the 15.9g per 100ml found in Sainsbury’s Orange Energy Drink, which is sold in 1 litre bottles. Someone drinking 500ml would be consuming more than 20 teaspoons of sugar.
Others with particularly high levels were Red Devil Energy Drink at 15g/100ml and some Lucozade Energy drinks at 14g/100ml.
Consumption of 20 teaspoons of sugar is three times the recommended maximum for an adult from this type of processed food or drink for an entire day.
The researchers discovered that some of the drinks contain more caffeine than two cups of coffee, however some fail to properly spell out the level on the label.
A 170ml of coffee contains approximately 71mg of caffeine, which is less than half the 160mg found in the two Rockstar products identified for a high sugar content.
There was also 160mg of caffeine in 500ml cans of Monster Energy and Monster Khaos Energy. A 473ml can on Red Bull had 151mg, while 500ml can of Mountain Dew Energy came in at 90mg
Graham MacGregor, Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine at Queen Mary University of London and chairman of Action on Sugar, said: ‘Children are being deceived into drinking large cans of this stuff, thinking they are going to improve their performance at school, during sports, or even on a night out.
‘In reality all they are doing is increasing their risk of developing obesity or type 2 diabetes which will have lifelong implications on their health.
'Type 2 diabetes is a leading cause of blindness, limb amputation and kidney dialysis – hardly the image of a healthy, active person.’
Nutritionist at the group, Kawther Hashem, said: ‘The level of sugars in a typical can is disgraceful and we need to protect children and teenagers from drinking these products.
‘Sugar-free options are available from some manufacturers but be aware these still contain high levels of caffeine or other stimulants, so are not a ‘healthy’ option.’
| Energy drink / 500ml serving | Calories | Sugar / g | Sugar / tsp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sainsbury's Orange Energy Drink | 335 | 80 | 20 |
| Rockstar Punched Energy + Guava Tropical Guava Flavour | 335 | 78 | 20 |
| Rockstar Juiced Energy + Juice Mango Orange Passion Fruit Flavour | 330 | 76 | 19 |
| Rockstar Punched Energy + Punch Fruit Punch Flavour | 320 | 76 | 19 |
| Red Devil Energy Drink | 320 | 75 | 19 |
| Lucozade Energy Pink Lemonade | 285 | 70 | 18 |
| Lucozade Energy Caribbean Crush | 285 | 70 | 18 |
| Rockstar Super Sours Energy Drink Bubbleburst | 295 | 69 | 17 |
| Lucozade Energy Blackcurrant | 335 | 66.5 | 17 |
| Mountain Dew Energy | 240 | 65 | 16 |
| Source: Action on Sugar. Can/serving sizes vary. Figures based on 500ml serving | |||
| Energy drink / can | Caffeine content / mg |
|---|---|
| Rockstar Punched Energy + Guava Tropical Guava Flavour (500ml) | 160 |
| Rockstar Juiced Energy + Juice Mango Orange Passion Fruit Flavour (500ml) | 160 |
| Monster Energy (500ml) | 160 |
| Monster Khaos Energy + Juice (500ml) | 160 |
| Red Bull Energy Drink (473ml) | 151 |
| Mountain Dew Energy (500ml) | 90 |
| Cup of coffee (170ml) | 71 |
New research published today by retail analysts Mintel found half the population – 46 per cent – are monitoring sugar consumption. More than one in four – 26 per cent – said they have changed their diets.
Mintel analyst, Emma Clifford, said: ‘The dangers related to consuming too much sugar became the major food issue of 2014. Consumers are expecting the food industry to respond which shows that there are plenty of opportunities for companies to really make themselves stand out on this front.’
The soft drinks industry operates a voluntary code which requires a warning on labels that energy drinks are not suitable for children and should not be promoted or marketed to those under 16.
Morrisons introduced a trial ban on sales to the under 16s in some stores 2013, however this was dropped at the end of last year.
Source: Culled from Mailonline
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