Could Energy Drinks Increase the Risk of Depression in Teens?

Researchers from the University of Waterloo and Dalhousie University have found that consumption of energy drinks could be linked to poor mental health and drug use among teenagers.

For the study, researchers surveyed 8,210 high school students regarding their depression and their energy drink intake. Findings showed that two-thirds of them drank energy drinks at least once in the past year and a fifth consumed one or more per month. The findings also showed that younger high school students are more likely than older high school students to consume energy drinks.

"While it remains unclear why these associations exist, the trend is a concern because of the high rate of consumption among teenagers," lead researcher Sunday Azagba, a researcher at the Propel Center for Population Health Impact at the University of Waterloo said, via a press release.  "These drinks appeal to young people because of their temporary benefits like increased alertness, improved mood and enhanced mental and physical energy."

As previous studies have linked the consumption of energy drinks that contain high concentrations of caffeine to sleep impairment, cardiovascular health issues, nervousness and nausea, these findings show another reason to stay away from the products.

"Given the negative effects of excessive caffeine consumption as well as the coincident occurrence of the use of energy drinks and other negative behaviors in teens, the trends we are seeing are more than cause for concern," Azagba said.

"In our opinion, at the very least steps should be taken to limit teens' access to energy drinks, to increase public awareness and education about the potential harms of these drinks and to minimize the amount of caffeine available in each unit," he concluded. "This won't eliminate the problem entirely, but steps like these can help mitigate harm to our youth that appears to be associated with consumption of these drinks. This is something we need to take seriously. Change won't happen without a concerted effort."

What do you think?

More information regarding the study can be found via the journal Preventive Medicine.