The impact of energy drinks on health of children and young adults - review of latest research

Authors

  • Klaudia Kożuchowska Provincial Multidisciplinary Center of Oncology and Traumatology named after M. Copernicus in Lodz, Pabianicka Street 62, 93-513 Lodz, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0002-3915-8262
  • Dawid Pilarz Provincial Multidisciplinary Center of Oncology and Traumatology named after M. Copernicus in Lodz, Pabianicka Street 62, 93-513 Lodz, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0006-1380-8190
  • Marcelina Szewczyk affiliation Provincial Multidisciplinary Center of Oncology and Traumatology named after M. Copernicus in Lodz, Pabianicka Street 62, 93-513 Lodz, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0004-1382-5762
  • Maria Morawska affiliation University Clinical Hospital No. 2 Medical University of Lodz, 90-549 Łódź, ul. Żeromskiego 113, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0003-6247-2812
  • Aleksandra Tomczyk University Clinical Hospital No. 2 Medical University of Lodz, 90-549 Łódź, ul. Żeromskiego 113, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0009-6030-3939
  • Julia Ufnal Medical University of Warsaw, Żwirki i Wigury 61, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0000-5766-6995
  • Dominika Lewandowska nOvum Medical Clinic, Bociania Street 13, 02-807 Warsaw, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0001-8297-9296
  • Dominika Rosińska-Lewandoska Municipal Public Health Care Facility in Łask, Polna Street 12, 98-100 Łask, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0001-2205-0813
  • Klaudia Drewko Lower Silesia Specialist Hospital of T. Marciniak, Emergency Medicine Center, 50-367 Wrocław, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0001-1534-9753
  • Kinga Jarosz University Clinical Hospital No. 2 Medical University of Lodz, 90-549 Łódź, ul. Żeromskiego 113, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0000-0395-9303

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.12775/JEHS.2025.78.57745

Keywords

energy drinks, children, health, cardiovascular system, caffeine

Abstract

Introduction and purpose

Consumption of energy drinks has become popular all over the world. Energy drinks are non-alcoholic beverages that contain large amounts of caffeine, sugar, and substances like vitamins, taurine, ginseng, creatine, and guarana. The aim of our research is to present the latest data on impact of energy drinks on health of children, adolescents, and young adults.

Description of the state of knowledge

Regular consumption of energy drinks is associated with numerous adverse health effects. The main areas of impact are the cardiovascular system and the nervous system. High concentrations of caffeine - the main ingredient in energy drinks can lead to increased heart rate, increased blood pressure and heart rhythm disorders. Consuming energy drinks leads to hypertension and increased cardiovascular risk. In addition, energy drinks can cause sleep disorders, anxiety and hyperactivity. Energy drinks are characterized by a high sugar content, which promotes obesity, type 2 diabetes and tooth decay.

Materials and methods 

Systematic literature review was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar databases to obtain most accurate and recent results. The key words included ,,energy drinks”, ,,children”, ,,health”,,cardiovascular system” and ,,caffeine.” 

Conclusions 

This review provides further evidence that consumption of energy drinks by children and adolescents is associated with many adverse effects for physical and mental health. Mainly predisposed systems are cardiovascular and nervous. Further research is needed, with emphasis on maintaining ethics, to determine long-term effects of Energy Drinks use in these populations.

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Published

2025-02-17

How to Cite

1.
KOŻUCHOWSKA, Klaudia, PILARZ, Dawid, SZEWCZYK, Marcelina, MORAWSKA, Maria, TOMCZYK, Aleksandra, UFNAL, Julia, LEWANDOWSKA, Dominika, ROSIŃSKA-LEWANDOSKA, Dominika, DREWKO, Klaudia and JAROSZ, Kinga. The impact of energy drinks on health of children and young adults - review of latest research. Journal of Education, Health and Sport. Online. 17 February 2025. Vol. 78, p. 57745. [Accessed 21 February 2025]. DOI 10.12775/JEHS.2025.78.57745.

Issue

Vol. 78 (2025)

Section

Health Sciences

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Copyright (c) 2025 Klaudia Kożuchowska, Dawid Pilarz, Marcelina Szewczyk, Maria Morawska, Aleksandra Tomczyk, Julia Ufnal, Dominika Lewandowska, Dominika Rosińska-Lewandoska, Klaudia Drewko, Kinga Jarosz

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