Nordic youth energy drink consumption reaches concerning levels

energy drink consumption Nordic youth health caffeine addiction public health study adolescent wellness

A new Nordic study, funded by the Nordic Council of Ministers and led by the Swedish Food Agency, reveals high levels of energy drink consumption among adolescents aged 15 to 19. The research, which surveyed nearly 5,000 young people across Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, and Iceland, highlights significant health concerns and potential dependency.

Swedish teenagers show the highest consumption rates, with 75 percent drinking energy drinks weekly and 28 percent consuming them daily. In Finland, many participants reported starting consumption before the age of 12. Across the region, nearly half of the respondents indicated they feel they cannot get through the day without these drinks.

Health experts, including toxicologist Sabina Litens Karlsson, expressed concern over reported side effects such as heart palpitations, sleep disturbances, dizziness, and headaches. Approximately 30 percent of consumers reported experiencing negative health effects. The report suggests that a lack of strict marketing regulations and age limits in certain countries, such as Sweden, may contribute to these trends compared to neighbors like Norway, which has implemented a 16-year age limit.

Entities

Karen Ellemann · Livsmedelsverket · Nordic Council · Nordic Council of Ministers · Nordic countries · Sabina Litens Karlsson · Swedish Food Agency

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 2 SOURCES] Approximately 40 percent of youths in the Nordic region began consuming energy drinks at age 13 or younger. www.tv2kosmopol.dk · www.ess.fi
[● 4 SOURCES] A new Nordic study was conducted involving 4,916 youths aged 15-19 from Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland, and Denmark. www.tv2kosmopol.dk · www.ess.fi · www.hd.se
[● 2 SOURCES] Swedish energy drinks often contain higher caffeine levels than those in Denmark and Norway, which have maximum limits. www.hd.se
[○ 1 SOURCE] The most common reason for energy drink consumption among surveyed youths is taste. www.ess.fi
[● 2 SOURCES] 30 percent of 15-19 year olds in the study reported negative health effects such as heart palpitations, sleep problems, or dizziness. www.tv2kosmopol.dk · www.ess.fi
[● 2 SOURCES] Energy drink sales in the Nordic region doubled between 2014 and 2024. www.hd.se
[● 2 SOURCES] In Sweden, 75 percent of 15-19 year olds drink energy drinks weekly, and 28 percent drink them daily. www.hd.se
[○ 1 SOURCE] In Denmark, 43 percent of youths aged 15-19 drink energy drinks weekly. www.tv2kosmopol.dk
[○ 1 SOURCE] 43 percent of Danish youth aged 15–19 drink energy drinks weekly. www.tv2kosmopol.dk
[● 2 SOURCES] 28 percent of Swedish adolescents aged 15–19 drink energy drinks daily. www.hd.se
[● 2 SOURCES] 75 percent of Swedish adolescents aged 15–19 drink energy drinks at least once a week. www.hd.se
[● 2 SOURCES] Swedish adolescents consume more caffeine per serving than those in Denmark and Norway due to different regulations. www.hd.se