A new study from a prestigious U.S. university points out one potential significant harmful effect of energy drinks.
In a research conducted by a team from Yale University led by Jeannette Ickovics, a professor of Yale School Public Health and Community Alliance for Research and Engagement (CARE) director, has discovered that middle schoolers who regularly consume energy drinks with too much sugar may develop behavioral issues such as inattentiveness and hyperactivity by as much as 66%.
In an article published in Yale's website, the study surveyed more than 1,500 middle schoolers who belonged to the same urban Connecticut school. These children with an average age of 12 years, were also chosen randomly by researchers.
The students in the study drink at least 2 sugared drinks every day, and each of these drinks could contain as much as 40 grams of sugar, more than the recommended allowance of 33 grams maximum.
Based on their analyses of the answers during the survey, there is a link between the amount of sugar-sweetened drinks these children consumed to their symptoms and risks of inattention and hyperactivity. One of the most popular types of sweetened beverages is energy drink.
Moreover, boys are more at risk than girls, especially if they are Hispanics and blacks.
The researchers are still trying to determine the exact connection between sweetened drinks and hyperactivity, although many previous studies already support or corroborate Yale findings.
Sugary drinks may then lead to poor outcomes in school and increasing obesity among children.
The researchers hope that with this study, there will be stricter guidelines on the access of sweetened beverages. Also, they recommend that these middle schoolers should never be allowed to consume energy drinks not only for their high level of sugar but also substantial amount of caffeine.
The entire study may now be read in Academic Pediatrics.
