US study finds energy drinks unsafe for children

Minneapolis

MORE than half of calls to US poison control centres about energy drinks such as Red Bull and Monster are for children younger than six, some suffering seizures and heart problems.

The study bolsters the idea that energy drinks aren't safe for children and should carry explicit risk warnings, said Steven Lipshultz, chairman of pediatrics at Wayne State University in Detroit. People of all ages with underlying health conditions should be vigilant about the heavily caffeinated beverages, he said. The data was presented on Monday at the American Heart Association's annual meeting in Chicago.