A Durban doctor has issued a warning about the dangers of energy drinks after the death of a 13-year-old pupil in KwaMashu last week. The grade 7 teenager had collapsed and died after drinking a 300ml bottle of Reboost energy drink – and had apparently consumed another energy drink earlier that day.
Dr Nkosinathi Shabalala told IOL that energy drinks are not recommended for under-18s because of their high caffeine and sugar content and the potential health risks associated with them. He added that some of their caffeine levels were well above what was considered advisable for young people, and could place significant strain on the cardiovascular system and lead to serious health complications.
Some energy drinks contain the equivalent of between 15 and 20 teaspoons of sugar per serving, far exceeding recommended daily intake levels.
Excessive caffeine consumption, added the doctor, may cause a rapid heartbeat, elevated blood pressure, irregular heart rhythms, dizziness, fainting and loss of consciousness, he said.
However, Shabalala cautioned against linking the teen’s death directly to the energy drink before the post-mortem examination is completed.
“The autopsy report will be critical in determining the exact cause,” he said.
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