Experts have called for a government ban on the sale of energy drinks to under-16s.

Studies have recently been released linking energy drinks to a range of health complaints and risky behaviours.

Health complaints such as headaches, stomach aches and sleeping problems, have been directly linked while emergency department visits associated with their consumption in the US doubled between 2007 and 2011.

The report published by the Food Research Collaboration, an initiative of the Centre for Food Policy at City University London, said. They are also associated with risky behaviours such as binge drinking and drug use, according to data cited in the report.

Sales of energy drinks in the UK increased by 155% between 2006 and 2014, from 235 to 600 million litres.

The report proposes legislation banning the sale of energy drinks to under-16s and a ban on marketing targeted at children. Other potential steps could include in-school interventions and the implementation of shared strategies on energy drinks and children by local and health authorities, it said.

Kawther Hashem, a registered nutritionist and researcher at Action on Sugar based at Queen Mary University of London, said: "Children and teenagers are being deceived into drinking large cans of energy drinks, thinking they are going to improve their performance at school, during sports, or even on a night out. "In reality it is more likely increasing their risk of developing obesity, type 2 diabetes and dental caries, which will have lifelong implications on their health. "The Government needs to set strict limits on added sugars in these products and ban the sale to children under 16 because of their high caffeine, calorie and sugar content."

Brands such as RedBull, Monster and Relentless were mentioned specifically.

Have you ever experienced health problem related to the consumption of energy drinks? Email: gabrielle.rowley@nwemail.co.uk.

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