WHO Europe Calls for New Policies on Energy Drinks, Citing Health Effects
Published at
Mauro Matacchione/iStockphoto/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) — The World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe issued a call for new policies that would decrease the consumption of energy drinks, especially among young people, citing the health-related side effects such drinks have.
Previous studies have noted that overuse of energy drinks can cause an increased risk of heart palpitations, hypertension, vomiting, convulsions and sometimes death. The authors of the study, published in the journal Frontiers in Public Health, recommend setting maximum amounts of caffeine in each drink serving, restriction of sales to children or adolescents, and increased regulation of energy drink marketing campaigns.
The WHO’s Regional Office for Europe also notes that energy drink use among teenagers in Europe has risen to 68 percent.
The American Beverage Association has recommended “responsible marketing” of energy drinks — discouraging mixing them with alcohol drinks and marketing to children. It is not clear whether the U.S. will make similar recommendations for such restrictions domestically.
Follow @ABCNewsRadio
Copyright 2014 ABC News Radio