A Norwegian study published in BMJOpen, found that drinking energy drinks increased sleep depravation, even as little as 2-3 times a week. The study found that men were 60% (women 24%) more likely to suffer sleep interruption in the middle of the night and 52% (women 58%) more likely to sleep less than 6 hours / night. Definitely a disaster for women, since they need more sleep. The findings were due to the high caffein and sugar contents in energy drinks."Too little sleep has been linked to a host of serious health conditions, including heart disease, Alzheimer’s, anxiety and depression."(2)
The study consisted of 53,266 Norwegian students, split into groups, and surveyed: the never or rarely drinking energy drinks group, the 1-3 / month group, the 2-3 / week group, the 4-6 / week group and the everyday.
While another study review article published in the Public Health Journal, analyzed 57 different studies from around the world: "Boys consumed EDs more than girls. Many studies reported a strong positive association between ED consumption and smoking, alcohol use, binge drinking, other substance use and the intentions to initiate these behaviours. Sensation-seeking and delinquent behaviours were positively associated with ED consumption, as were short sleep duration, poor sleep quality and low academic performance. Additional health effects noted in the updated review included increased risk of suicide, psychological distress, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms, depressive and panic behaviours, allergic diseases, insulin resistance, dental caries and erosive tooth wear."(3)
These studies come at a time when many countries around the world have either banned or considering banning energy drinks for children. While the government in England is considering passing legislation banning them for children under 16.(2)
While these studies are very insightful, they are up for review, so they should be taken with a grain of salt.
(1) https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/14/2/e072951
(2) https://www.the-sun.com/health/10162577/energy-drinks-insomnia-sleep-problems/
(3) https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0033350623003189?via%3Dihub
By Chief Editor Angelo-Lk-Whatcom-Rider-Writer 1-23-24
About The writer: I've lived in Bellingham since February, 2011, and love the beautiful trees & greenery producing all that oxygen, and of course, the lake, bay, hills and mountains too. I've also been in the lovely Anacortes area for part of that time, going back and forth, since moving here.
Educational/Professional Background: Economics & Political Science Degrees at UCF. Attended Graduate School of Economics at FSU, and have worked for the FL Labor Dept as well as consulted for the FL Labor Dept on behalf of the US Labor Dept. I've been happily working in my own businesses since 1993.