In recent years, consumption of energy drinks among children and adolescents Its use has skyrocketed in Spain and other European countries. What began as sporadic use, linked to specific moments of tiredness or studying, has become a widespread habit in nightlife and, increasingly, in the daily routine of young men and women.
This phenomenon has raised alarms among public health experts, pediatricians, and families, who warn of the direct effects on sleep, school performance, emotional state and the cardiovascular systemAlthough these products are sold over the counter in supermarkets and neighborhood stores, their composition and the way they are consumed place them at the center of a major health debate.
A rising consumption among teenagers and young adults
The available data points to a upward trend in energy drink consumption This has been the case for decades, but with particularly marked growth in recent years. Recent reports cited by the Ministry of Health place this increase at the end of 2024 and the beginning of 2025, highlighting that it is no longer just occasional use associated with parties, but a much more regular consumption.
The age groups most involved are young people from 15 to 34 yearswho have become the main buyers of these types of products. Within this group, there is particular concern about what is happening among minors, where a very clear normalization is observed both in nightlife settings and in everyday life, for example, before going to school or during the afternoon.
Various surveys indicate that the 47,7% of adolescents between 14 and 18 years old regularly consumes energy drinks. Furthermore, the problem is appearing at increasingly younger ages: around 38% of children aged 12 and 13 have already tried themThis raises concerns about the exposure of very young children to high doses of caffeine and other stimulants.
This early and frequent use has led to the consumption of these products cease to be perceived as something exceptional to become part of the everyday landscape for many minors. The testimony of teenagers who admit to drinking several cans a day illustrates the degree of normalization achieved in just a few years.
In investigative reports on the subject, some young people explain that they started drinking these beverages when they were barely 12 years and that now, at 15, they can take up to four cans a dayMany of them claim to have "gotten used to it" and say that in their groups of friends there are those who consume even more, which reflects group dynamics and a certain social pressure within the adolescent environment.
Normalization, advertising and families' perceptions
One of the factors that most worries specialists and parents' associations is the social and advertising normalization of energy drinksFor years they have been promoted as products associated with fun, physical endurance, extreme sports, freedom or success, messages that are very attractive to children and young people.
The Spanish Confederation of Parents' Associations (CEAPA) warns that Many families are unaware of the true extent of the problem.In their experience, a significant number of parents are unaware of how often their children consume these drinks or the amount of caffeine they contain, making it difficult to set clear limits.
In some cases, the parents themselves admit that they don't object to their children taking these types of products, relying on the idea that if they are sold freely, it's because they have a sufficient sanitary controlThis perception, shared by many adults, clashes with repeated warnings from public health authorities and the scientific community.
CEAPA summarizes this contradiction with a direct message: what advertising presents as “wings”—an extra boost of energy, success, and freedom—translates, in practice, into “being a nuisance” to health and family lifeProblems arising from insomnia, irritability, poor academic performance, or caffeine dependence end up affecting both children and their home environment.
Faced with this scenario, the confederation has launched a awareness campaign aimed at families Under the slogan "They give a nuisance, not wings", the aim is to provide clear information about the real risks of energy drinks and reinforce the role of the family environment as the first line of defense.
What do energy drinks really contain?
The rise of these products cannot be understood without examining their composition. Energy drinks were originally designed to Increase physical endurance, reduce sleepiness, and boost metabolismTo achieve this, they combine high doses of caffeine with other components such as taurine, large quantities of sugars, and, in some cases, B vitamins and other stimulants.
According to a report by the Scientific Committee of the Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition (AESAN)These drinks contain caffeine levels that are around 32 mg per 100 mlThis means that a standard can can contain between 70 and 80 mg of caffeine, an amount comparable to drinking two to three coffees at once.
The figures are even more worrying when we talk about larger formats, where they can exceed 160 mg of caffeine in a single canFrom that dose onwards, studies indicate a significant increase in the risks of suffering serious psychological and cardiovascular effects, especially in young people with lower body weight and a still developing body.
European regulations, through the Regulation (EU) 1169 / 2011This regulation requires that these beverages include on their labels the warning "high caffeine content: not recommended for children or pregnant or breastfeeding women," along with the exact amount of caffeine expressed in milligrams. This warning must appear prominently on the packaging.
Even so, reality shows that The label is not a sufficient deterrent to consumption by minorsThe cans are sold freely, without age verification, in supermarkets and convenience stores, with prices typically ranging between one and two euros. This affordability and the absence of sales barriers make teenagers a potentially very vulnerable target audience.
Effects on sleep, the nervous system, and mental health
One of the first areas in which the consequences of energy drink consumption in minors are perceived is the dreamAESAN warns that more than 60 mg of caffeine—which is practically equivalent to a standard can—is enough to disrupt a teenager's sleepcausing difficulty falling asleep, frequent awakenings, or insomnia.
When this sleep disturbance persists over time, the following appears: accumulated fatigueThis translates into daytime sleepiness, difficulty waking up early, apathy, and trouble keeping up with classes. All of this affects concentration and mood, creating a vicious cycle that isn't always easy to break.
CEAPA, relying on scientific studies from CIBERESP and the European Journal of PediatricsShe emphasizes that "teenagers who consume energy drinks get worse grades." Insomnia and persistent fatigue affect memory, sustained attention, and learning ability—key elements at ages when academic foundations are being built.
In addition to the impact on sleep, high intake of caffeine and other stimulants can lead to Symptoms of anxiety, irritability, nervousness, and even aggressionIn some cases, episodes of depression and sudden mood swings are described, which add to the emotional instability of adolescence itself.
In terms of mental health, experts also point to possible associations with a higher risk of suicidal behavior and with the initiation or intensification of the use of other substancessuch as alcohol. Although the relationship is not always direct or exclusive, the pattern of seeking strong and rapid stimuli can favor this type of risky behavior.
Cardiovascular and physical risks at early ages
Beyond the brain and behavior, energy drinks have a direct impact on the cardiovascular systemExcessive caffeine can cause tachycardia, increased blood pressure, and even arrhythmias, effects that are aggravated when combined with other substances or with intense physical exertion.
AESAN warns that high doses, such as those reached with large cans or consuming several cans in a single dayThe risk of suffering serious cardiovascular disorders increases significantly, especially in children who may have undiagnosed heart problems.
On the general physical level, the following have also been described Headaches, stomach aches, and digestive problems related to the regular consumption of these types of beverages. The high sugar content promotes weight gain and contributes to the development of obesity and metabolic disorders in the medium and long term.
The combination of sugar and stimulants enhances the initial "high" effect, followed by a sudden “drop” in energy which can lead minors to seek another can to regain that feeling, increasing the risk of entering a pattern of repeated consumption during the same day.
Added to this is the possibility that a caffeine dependenceOver time, the body becomes accustomed to certain doses and needs increasing amounts to notice the same effect. When the child reduces or stops consumption, withdrawal symptoms such as headaches, irritability, or intense fatigue may appear.
Alcohol, sports, and other problematic uses
One of the most worrying uses of energy drinks in Europe and in Spain is their mixture with alcoholespecially in adolescent nightlife settings. AESAN insists that they should not be combined, as recent studies show that this mixture causes altered subjective states in those who consume it.
When alcohol is consumed with energy drinks, the feeling of intoxication is partially masked: the person feels more awake and clear-headed than they actually are, which translates into a decreased perception of alcohol intoxicationIn practice, this can lead to drinking more, taking more risks, and underestimating one's own condition, for example when driving or participating in dangerous activities.
The use of these beverages is also widespread in the field of amateur sportMany teenagers believe that these help them perform better or better withstand the effort, when in reality they They are not suitable for hydration or proper recovery after sports practice.
AESAN itself points out that energy drinks They do not allow the replenishment of metabolites or mineral salts unlike water or certain isotonic drinks specifically designed for rapid rehydration. Instead of promoting recovery, they can increase the strain on the heart and contribute to symptoms such as palpitations, dizziness, or general malaise.
In this context, it is especially important to reinforce health education messages in schools, sports clubs, and families, so that children understand that Physical and academic performance is not improved through stimulants.but through sufficient rest, a balanced diet, and regular physical activity.
A public health challenge that involves the whole of society
The weight of the data and the warnings from health authorities has placed the consumption of energy drinks in minors as a major public health problem in Spain. It is not just a matter of isolated incidents, but a phenomenon that can affect the physical, mental, and behavioral development of a generation.
Experts agree that the answer should be multidimensionalOn the one hand, accurate information is key: campaigns like CEAPA's help families understand what's behind these seemingly harmless cans so they can talk to their children about reasonable limits and real risks.
On the other hand, there is increasing talk about the need to review the regulatory frameworkThis applies both to sales to minors and advertising aimed at young audiences. The goal would be to reduce exposure to and easy access to products that, according to their own packaging, are not recommended for children.
The report also highlights the role of educational and healthcare centers, which can detect problematic consumption patterns, offer guidance, and refer patients to specialized resources when necessary. Professional support is essential in cases of heavy use, dependence, or presence of other mental health problems.
In a context where fatigue, academic stress, and the search for thrills are part of the daily lives of many young people, energy drinks have become a kind of shortcut to staying awake longer or feeling "on fire." However, all available evidence indicates that this shortcut has a a high price to pay for the body and for emotional well-beingespecially when it starts at ages as young as 12 or 13.
The growing presence of these drinks in the lives of children and adolescents, their affordable price, aggressive advertising, and the false sense of health control create a cocktail that demands attention, dialogue, and shared responsibility among families, schools, the health sector, and public administrations if we truly want to protect the health of minors.