Are teenagers ‘drowning' in sports and energy drinks? The need for upstream and downstream interventions

Abstract

Sports and energy drinks are consumed regularly by adults, children and young people (CYP). The dental and wider health implications of their frequent consumption pose a challenge to dental and other health professionals alike, in particular the increasing consumption in CYP, with up to one-third drinking caffeinated energy drinks regularly. The recent popularity of products such as Prime has highlighted the role of social media and marketing on the purchasing and consumption of these drinks, particularly for CYP. This paper describes current consumption of sports and energy drinks nationally and the potential impact on general and dental health. It discusses their popularity in CYP, including purchasing habits and motivations for this age group, and the role of social media in promoting consumption. It then highlights the importance of introducing public health measures to address these factors. Finally, a key role for dental teams is proposed, with an emphasis on the importance of further research to determine the effectiveness of dietary interventions delivered by dental professionals.