Need to ban sale of energy drinks to kids: Expert
London, Sep 20 : There is a need to ban the sale of caffeinated energy drinks to children and young people to tackle obesity and mental health problems, says an expert.
Caffeine is probably the most commonly used psychoactive drug across the world as it increases activity and heightens attention and awareness.
But caffeine also increases anxiety, reduces sleep and is linked with behavioural problems in children, said Russell Viner, Professor from the UK's Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH).
Recent studies have also showed that it may have concerning effects on the developing brain.
This is alarming because psychological distress can lead to risky behaviours like drug use and poorer academic attainment, Viner said.
"It's time to bring in laws to ban the sale of caffeinated energy drinks to children and young people to tackle the twin epidemics of obesity and mental health problems," he stated, in the new study published in the journal The BMJ.
The high sugar content in many of the energy drinks (as much as 27g of sugar per 250ml serving) "undoubtedly contributes to the overall calorie excess and resultant obesity epidemic among our children".
But perhaps most concerning are the effects on sleep, Viner said, because research has established a clear inverse association between caffeinated energy drinks and sleep duration.
Children and young people in high income countries consume more sugar and calories than required and are therefore unlikely to need additional energy.
This combined with regular caffeine consumption is causing concern as there is little evidence of the effect caffeine could potentially have on the developing body, Viner said.
Instead of binging on energy drinks, humans can get energy naturally from a "good diet, refreshing sleep, exercise and, most importantly, interaction with other people".
While government's consultation must drive a search for improved evidence, "there is now sufficient evidence to act to protect children", Viner noted.
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PM Modi speaks to Iranian president, discusses 'serious' situation in West Asia
New Delhi (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday night spoke to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian over the phone and discussed the "serious situation" in West Asia.
Modi expressed deep concern over the escalation of tensions in the region and the loss of civilian lives as well as damage to civilian infrastructure.
The prime minister told the Iranian President that the safety and security of Indian nationals, along with the need for unhindered transit of goods and energy, remain India's top priorities.
“Had a conversation with Iranian President, Dr Masoud Pezeshkian, to discuss the serious situation in the region. Expressed deep concern over the escalation of tensions and the loss of civilian lives as well as damage to civilian infrastructure,” Modi said in a post on X.
The prime minister also reiterated India's commitment to peace and stability and urged dialogue and diplomacy to end the crisis.
The prime minister had spoken to leaders of several West Asian countries in the last 10 days in the wake of the coordinated offensive launched against Iran by the United States and Israel, in which the Islamic country's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, was killed last month.
In retaliation, Iran has fired drones and missiles at Israel and US military installations around the Gulf region, including the global business and aviation hubs of Dubai and Doha.
Modi earlier spoke to the leaders of Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Jordan, Israel and Qatar, and expressed concern over the attacks on their countries, and condemned the violation of some nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
He also discussed the welfare and security of the Indian community residing in those countries.
Around 1 crore Indians live in the Gulf and West Asia. While about 10,000 Indian citizens live, study and work in Iran, more than 40,000 live in Israel.
