Give your child an energy drink and you’re putting them at risk of heart problems.

Seriously. It’s proven. Fact.

New research in the US shows that beyond a brief caffeine high, people who drink energy drinks can suffer from elevated heart rates, hypertension, anxiety, headaches and sleeping problems. You can also suffer from heart palpitations, a stroke and even, sudden death. I know, it’s hard to believe a fizzy drink could cause death but science does believe it, and that’s a good enough reason for me to never let my kids and even myself take a sip of those sugary cans again.

Not convinced?

Still in doubt on what energy drinks can do to your kids ? Ok, well here are some facts that may sway your mindset:

Energy drinks have five times the amount of caffeine than regular fizzy drinks
Their branding carries unregulated health benefits
In addition to caffeine and sugar, some brands of energy drinks can have ingredients whose safety and effectiveness haven’t been tested.

They contain ingredients such guarana (a source of caffeine) and taurine (an amino acid thought to enhance caffeine’s effect). Some even contain herbal supplements that are not regulated, such as ginseng and creatine.

Hint creatine is what body builders take to build muscle mass. It’s not for children!

You should also know that although caffeine may be legal, it is still considered a stimulant drug. It can cause side effects like jitteriness, upset stomach , headaches, and sleep problems “” all of which drag you down, not power you up!

If these warning signs aren’t grabbing your attention, then perhaps this one will

There have been NO studies showing the health benefits of energy drinks. Actually, it’s quite the contrary; numerous studies have shown these drinks can be dangerous. Experts say that young people have a lower caffeine tolerance and are therefore more vulnerable to the negative effects of caffeine.

Data from the New South Wales Poisons Information Centre and the United States National Poison Data System show the majority of energy drink cases involved children and adolescents. Young people with pre-existing heart problems is particularly worrisome, given increased levels of high blood pressure, arrhythmia that could lead to sudden death.

Who’s the target?

Probably the most outlandish act energy drink companies make is when they target children.

Some claim to be performance enhancing, energy boosting and give consumers’ energy needed to complete tasks or sport. A child competing in a race, for example is one of the targets here. Red Bull might claim to “give you wings” but it doesn’t necessarily protect your kids from a sugar-crash “” quite the opposite.

Clear Labeling

Saying that, the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code specifies that energy drinks may contain a maximum of 80 milligrams of caffeine per standard 250 ml energy drink. This is equivalent to the amount of caffeine in a cup of instant coffee (77.5mg/250ml).

Standards for the package labeling mean manufacturers must provide a maximum recommended daily intake, and warn against consumption by pregnant women, those who are sensitive to caffeine and children. However, labeling is typically of poor visibility (located near nutrition information in indistinct text colour and size), with no specific age limit for children. This makes it very hard for parents, as well as children to see.

Though energy bars and drinks are everywhere these days, they don’t come cheap. At about $4.50 a pop, you can get a better (and cheaper) energy boost by eating a banana. And you can get better hydration by drinking tap water.

Ok, so we could go on for days about energy drinks and the harmful affects they have on our children but really, use your common sense here. Sugar, caffeine and the mix of other so-called “energy boosters” are not good for kids.

The best energy boost comes from healthy living. People who eat well, drink water, and get enough physical activity and sleep will have plenty of energy “” the natural way.