Most Brits dangerously underestimate sugar content in energy drinks

Two in three British adults dangerously underestimate the amount of sugar in energy drinks, a new poll has revealed.

The poll found 63% of the public misjudge how much sugar can be found in their energy drinks.

Some of the more popular energy drinks contain:

• 27.5g of sugar in a 250ml can of Red Bull
• 17.1g of sugar in a 380ml bottle of Lucozade Energy
• 24g of sugar in a 500ml can of Rockstar
• 55g of sugar in a 500ml can of Monster Energy.

‘One in three British adults now regularly consume energy drinks, with many feeling as though they need them to function throughout the day,’ Dr Nigel Carter OBE, chief executive of the Oral Health Foundation, says.

‘Most energy drinks have obscenely high levels of sugar and are extremely acidic.

‘A dependence on energy drinks can very quickly lead to severe oral health problems such as tooth decay and dental erosion, as well as contribute to any number of other health conditions and diseases.

‘Energy drinks add an unnecessary risk to the UK’s health and over-consumption is causing enormous, and in some cases, irreparable damage to oral health.’

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Energy drinks ban

The Government is considering a ban on the sale of sugar and caffeine-filled energy drinks.

This comes after many supermarkets, including Asda and Aldi, have already voluntarily banned the sale of energy drinks to under-16s.

‘We take our responsibilities as a retailer seriously and work hard to ensure we get the balance right between offering choice and doing the right thing,’ Andrew Murray, Asda’s chief customer officer, said.

‘We have listened to our customers and want to take a leading position in this area to support parents and teachers in limiting young peoples’ access to high caffeine drinks.’