Energy Drinks and Sleep among Adolescents.

Plain Language Summary

Sleep deprivation is a common problem among adolescents. There has been an increase in the consumption of energy drinks among adolescents in recent years. It is well known that energy drinks contain caffeine, sugar, and amino acids such as taurine, B vitamins, Ginseng, and guarana, which have psychoactive properties and disrupt the circadian rhythm. Insufficient sleep can affect genes involved in circadian rhythm and serotonin pathways, resulting in a higher risk of developing mental health problems. Therefore, researchers accessed the data from a population-based cross-sectional study to evaluate the effect of an energy drink on sufficient sleep in male and female adolescents. This study found that high energy drink consumption negatively affected sufficient sleep in male and female adolescents, with boys consuming energy drinks more frequently. The intake of vegetables and water, as well as regular physical activity, were positively correlated with adequate sleep in male adolescents. Physical activity and sufficient sleep were positively correlated in girls. Girls who used sedatives were less likely to get sufficient sleep. In order to determine how the different ingredients of energy drinks affect the sleep quality and neurodevelopment of adolescents individually and synergistically, further robust studies are required. The results of this study may help healthcare professionals to understand the adverse effects of energy drinks on adolescents.