Published: 15 July 2025

I was recently featured in The Telegraph, where I spoke about a growing concern I’ve encountered both in clinical practice and conversations with families — the underestimated impact of energy drinks on young people’s health.

This isn’t just about a teen needing a boost to stay awake in class. The UK now has the highest consumption of energy drinks among teenagers in Europe. What we’re facing is a health issue that’s quietly affecting sleep, mood, hormone balance, and even brain development.

One of the key points I raised in the article is that it’s not just the caffeine content that’s the problem. While some of these drinks contain up to 290mg of caffeine per can (that’s more than three shots of espresso), it’s the combination of stimulants, artificial sweeteners like sucralose or aspartame, and additives like taurine that creates a volatile mix—especially for developing bodies and brains.

There’s a concerning link between regular energy drink consumption and symptoms like anxiety, depression, and disrupted sleep. In some teens, it’s also contributing to emotional dysregulation and behavioural shifts that go unnoticed until there’s a more serious impact. We’re seeing more young people on the edge—wired but exhausted, alert but unfocused, overstimulated and emotionally depleted.

I also shared something that isn’t often spoken about: how these ingredients can subtly interfere with blood sugar and insulin responses, making teens crave that same ‘buzz’ again and again. Over time, this creates a pattern that resembles dependency. It’s easy to dismiss because it’s not illegal or hidden—but that’s what makes it more insidious.

What’s equally troubling is that while countries like Lithuania and Latvia have already banned sales to minors, the UK still hasn’t implemented formal restrictions. These drinks are often cheaper than water and wrapped in marketing that appeals to teen identity—freedom, edge, performance. But we have to ask: at what cost?

I believe part of our role, whether as clinicians, educators, or parents, is to help young people understand the "why" behind their choices. This isn’t about shaming or restricting—it’s about protecting cognitive health, emotional resilience, and long-term wellbeing.

Read the full article in The Telegraph:
"The ‘dangerous’ energy drinks that Britain’s teenagers are hooked on" by David Cox
Published 15 July 2025

Read the article on The Telegraph: www.telegraph.co.uk/health-fitness/diet/nutrition/energy-drinks-dangerous-britains-teens-hooked/