Warnings issued over energy drinks

“Energy drinks could cause public health problems, says WHO study,” The Guardian reports. A new review discusses the potential harms of these drinks, especially when they are mixed with alcohol. Energy drinks, such as Red Bull and Monster, contain high levels of caffeine, which is a stimulant. They have become increasingly popular over the last 20 years, especially with young people, with many clubbers mixing them with alcohol. The Guardian reports on a new review by the World Health Organization (WHO), which reviewed the literature on the associated health risks and policies related to energy drinks. The review was prompted by concerns raised both by the scientific community and among the general public about the health effects of these drinks. It should be noted that although the researchers were from WHO, the review's conclusions do not necessarily represent the decisions or stated policy of WHO. The researchers described a number of potential health risks, mainly associated with the high caffeine content of the drinks, as well as the risks of combining them with alcohol. They also found that policy regarding energy drinks is limited and call for more long-term research and policy action, to minimise the risk of harm from heavy and long-term energy drink consumption.   What is the basis for these reports? Researchers from the World Health Organization (WHO) have written a narrative review of studies on the health risks associated with energy drink consumption and ...
Source: NHS News Feed - Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Food/diet Lifestyle/exercise Pregnancy/child Source Type: news