Energy drinks

7 replies

SandraDea · 21/04/2019 15:32

Hi, how do we all feel about energy drinks like red bull, monster etc.?

My teenage son is constantly nagging to buy him monster, but I say no because it’s not age appropriate (does anyone know what the age is out of interest?)

Anyway I assume it’s a restricted product because of the caffeine content. I did some research and found the average energy drink contains approximately the same level of caffeine as a strong cup of tea or weak coffee. There’s far more caffeine in a can of Coca Cola which is not an age restricted product.

Do you think an occasional can of monster (maybe 1 or 2 a month) is really that bad?

OP posts:

Glitterandunicorns · 21/04/2019 15:50

Hi OP.
I'm not sure where you found the information re caffeine, but there is definitely a lot more caffeine in energy drinks than in a can of coke. A can of coke contains 32mg (from Coca Cola website) whereas a can of monster contains between 30 and 32mg of caffeine per 100 ml. A can of monster is 500ml, so that is between 150 and 160mg of caffeine (from Monster website). An average cup of filter coffee contains 95mg of caffeine.

Because of that, I personally wouldn't buy monster or other energy drinks for someone under the age of 16.

Glitterandunicorns · 21/04/2019 15:52

Oh and the supermarkets' age limit is 16 for the purchase of energy drinks.

KC225 · 21/04/2019 15:55

For me - yes love a red bull - I actually like the taste. In don't notice any caffeine spike at all but I don't drink tea or coffee.

For your situation 'No' - why is he pestering you for it? Are his friends drinking it? Does he think it conrians magic properties?

Widowodiw · 21/04/2019 15:56

Noor- my son is very occasionally allowed a lucozade but only when he is racing competitively. He won’t be having monster. Caffeine has caused me major issues with debilitating headaches- I just wouldn’t go down that route,

lazyarse123 · 21/04/2019 15:58

They are extremely addictive. My dbil used to cycle semi-professionally and ended up in hospital with kidney damage and not able to ride anymore. He is ok now. The doctors told him it was the energy drinks. This was a few years ago so don't know if the formula has changed.

Original poster

SandraDea · 21/04/2019 16:10

Ah I see thank you, I didn’t realise there was quite that much caffeine in them so I understand now, he has an occasional lucozade but he pesters me because yes all his mates seem to drink it.

OP posts:

sweeneytoddsrazor · 21/04/2019 16:33

Loads of teens drink them. They are full of caffeine and taurine and smell disgusting. You have to be 16 or accompanied by an adult to buy them.

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