Sugar Trap Energydrinks A tin can contain up to 13 sugar cubes

Health Hazard: Some energy drinks contain 13 pieces of sugar per can
Energy drinks have enjoyed uninterrupted popularity for years. The promised "energy kick" is due to the ingredients caffeine and sugar. This is much more contained in some products than consumers think.

High sugar consumption endangers the health
Health experts remind us again and again: avoid high sugar consumption. The sweetener can lead to enormous health problems such as obesity, hypertension or diabetes if consumed frequently. Much sugar is added via sweet lemonades. Such soft drinks are often the cause of obesity. In addition, they damage the teeth. Energy drinks also contain large amounts of sugar. All the more should be taken to ensure that especially children keep away from it.

Energy drinks often contain much more sugar than consumers suspect. A small tin can contain up to 40 grams. This amount is equivalent to more than 13 pieces of sugar cubes. (Image: airborne77 / fotolia.com)

Considerable amounts of sugar
"Energy drinks contain considerable amounts of sugar," writes the consumer service Bayern on its website. "This provides energy in the form of calories."

According to the experts, some doses contain up to 16 grams of sugar per 100 milliliters. Extrapolated to a small 250 milliliters can, the 40 grams of sugar, equivalent to more than 13 sugar cubes.

"The sweet taste is probably the reason why children like to drink energy drinks. The sugar covers the bitter taste of caffeine, "says the consumer service.

There are also energy drinks in which the sugar is replaced by sweetener. These do not hurt the teeth and they do not lead directly to obesity, but they should still not be consumed often. High consumption can lead to gastrointestinal problems and increased hunger for sweets.

Children should not consume caffeinated drinks
Another problem is the high proportion of stimulants in energy drinks. Although caffeine in moderate dosage can increase the ability to concentrate, counteract fatigue and increase physical performance.

But excessive intake of caffeine can cause side effects such as nervousness, increased excitability, sweating, palpitations or insomnia.

In addition, such drinks can be a risk to the heart.

"For children, caffeinated drinks are therefore generally not suitable, this is especially true for restless children with already disturbed attention," writes the consumer service.

Energy drinks are popular in all ages
But energy drinks are popular in all age groups - including adolescents.

In 2013, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published data on the consumption of energy drinks in the European population, which showed that as many as 13 percent of children (3-10 years) in Germany consumed energy drinks at least once a year.

Of the German adolescents (10-18 years), around 60 percent consume such drinks, while adults (18-65 years) consume about 30 percent. (Ad)