Teens who consume energy drinks more likely to take up other bad habits

A new study has revealed that children and teenagers who regularly consume energy drinks are more likely to participate in other bad habits, such as smoking, taking drugs and drinking alcohol.

According to medicaldaily.com, researchers from the University of Michigan found that teenagers who consume such drinks are two to three times more likely to also smoke or drink alcohol than teens who don't consume energy drinks. Most worrying, these teens were also likely to take drugs too.

Although the correlation wasn't as strong, teens who drink soft drinks were likely to also take up the same risky habits too. Over 40 per cent of young people in the study drank soft drinks and 30 per cent said they consume energy drinks, mostly in order to boost their concentration or get a quick burst of energy.

Certain groups are more likely to drink energy drinks than others. In particular, it is more common for boys to drink them than girls, reports dailymail.co.uk. Moreover, teens who belong to single parent families or have parents who aren't well educated were more inclined to consume energy drinks.

Lead researcher, Dr Yvonne M. Terry-McElrath, condemned the use of energy drinks among young people.

"The current study indicates that adolescent consumption of energy drinks/shots is widespread and that energy drink users also report heightened risk for substance use," she said. "Caffeine and other stimulant substances contained in energy drinks have no place in the diet of children and adolescents."