Red Bull, Other Energy Drinks May Be Banned From British Schools

Energy drinks like Red Bull may be banned from British schools as UK Government Adviser John Vincent has claimed they are more harmful than drugs and should be blamed for the decline in discipline among children.

Aside from Red Bull, Lucozadeis is one of the two energy drinks that Vincent wanted to be banned from schools. Although energy drinks can be an energy booster, in the short-term, this affects the behavior of children, according to his report. He wrote the School Food Plan for Education Sec. Michael Gove has urged the schools to stop children from drinking energy drinks.

One 500 milliters of Red Bull contains about 13 teaspoons of sugar, which is equivalent to drinking two cups of coffee. Drinkers may get an immediate high and often experience mood swings later on. The behavioral changes affect classrooms with some schools already moving to ban energy drinks.

Association of School and College Leaders General Sec. Brian Lightman said teachers are worried since some of the students in secondary levels attend school without proper breakfast since they just grab an energy drink to start their day.

Teachers observed that those who drank energy drinks were hyperactive and lacked concentration. They also tend to have issues with discipline while in school.

Companies manufacturing energy drinks are engaged in aggressive marketing campaigns to promote their products as to boost performance in sports. Vincent claimed the students and their parents are not aware of the negative effects of energy drinks.

In his School Food Plan, he wants to bring teachers and energy drink manufacturers to work out the issue. Vincent has suggested turning to legal means if it will not work.

Reports claimed some students who drank energy drinks told teachers they felt dizzy and sick. Burnage Media Arts College Headmaster Ian Fenn took action and banned energy drinks after staff reported health concerns.

The Food Standard Agency has advised children to refrain from consuming beverages high in caffeine. Agency officials added the energy drinks can cause short-term side effects like anxiety, irritability and increased excitability.