Reacción a "The Minister of Consumer Affairs announces that the sale of energy drinks to minors under the age of 16 will be banned throughout Spain"

The Ministry of Consumer Affairs is going to ban energy drinks for children under 16, a measure that has been scientifically and medically supported for more than a decade. A single can of these drinks can contain an amount of caffeine equivalent to three or four espressos, in addition to other compounds, such as taurine and guarana, which have hardly been studied in the paediatric population, and very high amounts of sugar. Multiple studies and risk assessments by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) have been pointing out for years that adolescents reach levels of caffeine associated with cardiovascular toxicity more quickly.

During adolescence, the brain goes through a critical phase of development in which the intake of high doses of caffeine not only significantly alters the quality and duration of sleep and the dopaminergic reward system (something that already happens in adults), but also increases young people's vulnerability to memory consolidation disorders, anxiety problems, depressive symptoms and even a higher risk of developing addictive behaviours in the future. Another consequence is an increase in paediatric consultations for tachycardia, arrhythmias, syncope and hypertensive peaks, events that were previously exceptional.

These drinks have no place in the diet of children and young people. Leading public health institutions, such as the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Spanish Paediatric Association (AEP), have warned that the neurological, cardiovascular and metabolic risks far outweigh any supposed benefits. In this sense, regulation is not a paternalistic measure, but a mechanism of protection against aggressive marketing strategies aimed at a particularly vulnerable population.