Alert in Barcelona: energy-drink consumption raises risks for minors

The Ministerio de Consumo plans to ban the sale of energy drinks to under-16s. Paediatricians warn of serious effects on young people's health. The debate is growing in Barcelona amid the rise of these products. What consequences could it have for families?

The imminent ban on selling energy drinks to under-16s has sparked debate in Barcelona. Parents, educators and healthcare professionals are watching with concern as these products, increasingly present in teenagers' lives, can put local public health at risk.

Paediatricians have been warning for years about the impact of these drinks on young people. They not only contain high doses of caffeine, but each brand adds its own blend of ingredients such as taurine, ginseng or guarana. This combination intensifies the effects and multiplies the risks, especially in developing bodies.

Among the most common symptoms after consumption by minors are behavioural changes, nervousness, anxiety, insomnia and episodes of hyperactivity. But the effects do not stop there: excess sugar encourages obesity and can trigger kidney and gastric problems and dehydration. The greatest danger, however, concerns the heart. Specialists warn of changes to heart rhythm, serious arrhythmias and even cases of sudden death in teenagers after combining these drinks with intense exercise.

In Barcelona, the trend of mixing energy drinks with alcohol is of particular concern in young people's leisure settings. Many young people mistakenly believe that these drinks improve sporting performance, when in fact they increase the risk of dehydration and complications during physical activity. Experts insist that they should not be consumed before, during or after sport.

In this context, pressure is growing for the new regulation not to remain a mere statement of intent. Families and the educational community are calling for effective measures that protect minors and curb access to these products in the city.

Energy drinks have seen a notable rise in recent years, especially among teenagers in urban settings. Their popularity is due in part to marketing campaigns aimed at young people and to the perception that they help fight tiredness or improve performance. However, the reality is that frequent consumption can alter physical and mental development at key ages. In Barcelona, concern has reached schools and sports clubs, where awareness campaigns have begun to curb their consumption and warn of their real risks.