Watch: Study: Doctors warn dangers of kids and energy drinks
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(CNN) – A recent study found that over 40% of all energy drink-related calls to poison control centers in the U.S. were for kids under six years old, many of them suffering serious nervous system and heart symptoms.
Pediatrician Dr. Jennifer Shu says, “A can or a bottle of an energy drink could have as much as 500mg of caffeine, which is equal to about 14 cans of soda. So, way higher than you’d want a child to have.”
Dr. Shu says the dangers of over-consumption for kids, and even adults varies extremely. “As simple as headaches or some shakiness or jitteriness, but they could even be more serious like problems with your heart rhythm, where your heart is irregular, it beats too fast or even seizures.”
But it’s not just the caffeine and other stimulants raising concerns. The drinks are also often filled with sugar. “Too much of that sugar can cause weight gain, as well as cavities.”