Canadian Medical Journal has advised to limit consumption of energy drinks

The editorial states “Caffeine-loaded energy drinks have now crossed the line from beverages to drugs delivered as tasty syrups caffeinating children and youth.”

Typically, energy drinks have 80 milligrams to 140 milligrams of caffeine per 250 millilitre can. This is equivalent to one cup of coffee or two cans of cola.

The newly published editorial has called for strict regulations and labelling changes. A number of energy drinks are regulated by Health Canada as natural health products but with warnings on labels. However, some are sold as food products, listing only the ingredients.

But industry group Refreshments Canada has said that this is not true.

President Justin Sherwood said, “All energy drinks in Canada are sold as natural health products with labels explaining recommended use, dosage and amount of caffeine. There are currently about 18 brands of energy drink sold in Canada.”

According to Sherwood, Canada by far has more stringent regulations on energy drinks as compared to other countries.

However, Paul Hébert, CMAJ editor-in-chief, said that it would be better if the products are labelled more clearly - with more information comparing caffeine content to cups of coffee.

Hébert said he was worried about the health effects of caffeine on children. Too much caffeine consumption can lead to sleep disturbances associated with adverse health effects. These can be asthma, obesity, poor school performance, etc. Furthermore, caffeine is habit-forming and could also result in heart palpitations, nervousness and hyper alertness.

Hebert said, “At the very least we shouldn’t be caffeinating our kids,”

Adolescents and college students mix energy drinks with alcohol, because the caffeine can mask the perception. But the consequence of intoxication will still remain – this, according to Hebert, is a major cause of worry.

Sherwood points out that energy drink containers specifically say “not recommended for children, pregnant or breastfeeding women, caffeine-sensitive persons or to be mixed with alcohol.”

Energy drinks are not marketed to youngsters, contrary to what the CMAJ editorial states, added Sherwood. He says that the target group is aged between 18- to 34 years.

However, the 2 groups do agree on the point of consumer education.

Health Canada has recommendations on maximum caffeine intake from all sources – this includes drinks, chocolate milk and candy. For children ages 4 to 6, it’s 45 milligrams per day; 7 to 9 years old, 62.5 milligrams per day; 10 to 12 years old, 85 milligrams per day.

A 355-millilitre can of cola has between 35 to 45 milligrams of caffeine.