The Swedish National Food Agency has observed that the consumption of energy drinks, often with high levels of caffeine, has increased sharply among Sweden's children and young people.
Therefore, the agency is now issuing new advice:
A maximum of 70 milligrams of caffeine per day for young people under 16. No caffeine at all is recommended for children under six years of age.
In parallel with the increase in energy drink consumption, new products have come onto the market that contain high levels of caffeine per serving, which is why we have seen that there is a need for support and advice, says Sabina Litens Karlsson, toxicologist at the Swedish National Food Agency.
A third of a can
How much energy drink is equivalent to 70 milligrams of caffeine?
Yes, that can be difficult to answer.
"When it comes to energy drinks, there is no can on the market that you can drink whole without exceeding the limit. You can drink anywhere between 125 and 220 milliliters, depending on the amount of caffeine in the drink," says Litens Karlsson.
The cans on the market often contain between 80 and 200 milligrams of caffeine. So if we look at those cans with high levels of caffeine, you can drink a third of a can. Then you will have exceeded the safe amount.
In a small cup of brewed coffee, 1.5 deciliters, or two cans of cola, there are approximately 70 milligrams of caffeine.
The advice has been developed because high levels of caffeine can affect sleep.
We have done this to prevent sleep disruption. The most common unwanted effect of caffeine is that sleep is impaired, both in falling asleep and how long you sleep. It is especially serious when young people's sleep is disrupted, as they need more sleep than adults. If you have sleep problems often, this can in turn lead to other health problems.
Involving young people
In addition to the new recommendations, the Swedish National Food Agency has an ongoing project on young people's consumption of energy drinks together with authorities from the other Nordic countries.
Advice may not be the most effective measure if you want to reduce consumption. In this project, which we are leading, we will actively involve young people about what the most effective measures are to get the target group to reduce consumption, says Sabina Litens Karlsson.
According to the new advice, children and young people under the age of 16 should not consume more than 70 milligrams of caffeine per day. Children under the age of six should avoid caffeine altogether.
70 milligrams of caffeine is approximately equivalent to:
Between 125 and 220 milliliters of energy drink depending on caffeine content
A small cup (1.5 deciliters) of brewed coffee
Two 33-centiliter cans of cola drink
Caffeine affects the body in several ways, and young people are particularly at risk of negative effects. Among the most common symptoms of excessive intake are sleep disturbances and difficulty falling asleep, palpitations, tremors and dizziness, as well as anxiety and nausea.
Source: Swedish National Food Agency
