New research has found that up to a third of teenagers in the UK are drinking at least one energy drink a week.
The study by the Department of Health and Social Care – which was triggered after the government ran a consultation on banning the sale of energy drinks to children in 2018, but did not have sufficient evidence for – analysed data from thousands of UK children, and found that many under-18s enjoy caffeinated energy drinks weekly.
Worrying figures found that some even have them at least five days a week.
The study also compared the consumption by UK children with youngsters in other countries from around the world, including the US and Canada.
The authors of the report – which has been published in the BMJ Open – say that those who have a high consumption of drinks may get headaches and sleep problems, and it’s also been linked to worse educational outcomes.
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For the study, experts from the University of York and University College London (UCL) examined what type and how many energy drinks British children were consuming, and also looked into any potential impact on young people’s physical and mental health and their behaviour.
The study found that between 13% to 67% of children worldwide had consumed energy drinks in the past year.
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New research has found that up to a third of teenagers in the UK are drinking at least one energy drink a week / Credit: Flickr
A review of other UK studies and datasets in the report – which included thousands of young people – found that between 3% and 32% of children consumed energy drinks at least one day a week, and according to experts, one large UK study also found that around a quarter of teenagers aged 13 and 14 had one energy drink or more every week, which rises to between a quarter and a third of children aged 15 to 16.
Overall results from the study suggested that having the drinks five or more days a week was linked to low psychological, physical, educational, and overall wellbeing.
Experts also found that boys drank more than girls, while consuming energy drinks was associated with, sleep problems, alcohol use, smoking, irritability, and even being excluded from school.
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Explaining more on the findings of the study, Claire Khouja – lead author of the paper, from the University of York – said: “While more research is needed to track the effects of energy drinks on children who drink them, our research has uncovered consistent evidence of links between the regular consumption of these drinks and harmful effects on children’s overall wellbeing.
High consumption of the drinks was found to lead to headaches, sleep problems, worse educational outcomes, and more / Credit: Pixabay
“These findings offer support for a government policy banning the sale of energy drinks to children.
“Our study also indicates that children who are better informed about the contents of energy drinks, drink less, suggesting that an education campaign and/or more prominent warnings on packaging could reduce consumption.”
Researchers for the latest study said their findings relied on surveys, so they cannot prove that energy drinks cause problems for children, and they added that although their overall findings was consistent, it was weak, and further studies could still be needed.
Featured Image – Wikimedia Commons
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Police arrest another man in connection with Manchester synagogue terror attack last year
Emily Sergeant
Another man has been arrested this week in connection with the attack on a synagogue in Manchester last year.
In case you need a reminder, the shocking knife and car attack took place on 2 October 2025 on Yom Kippur – the holiest day in the Jewish calendar – at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue, and during the incident, two men sadly lost their lives during the attack – Adrian Daulby, 53, who was shot dead by Greater Manchester Police (GMP) while trying to stop the attacker from entering the synagogue, and Melvin Cravitz, 66, a worshipper who also helped stop the attacker.
The attacker was named as 35-year-old Jihad al Shamie – a 35-year-old British citizen of Syrian descent who lived in Prestwich – who at the time was on bail for an alleged rape, before being shot dead by police.
Yesterday evening (Tuesday 26 May 2026), officers from Counter Terrorism Policing North West, alongside GMP, executed a warrant at an address on St James’ Road in Higher Broughton.
A 49-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of failing to disclose information regarding terrorist activity, contrary to S38B of the Terrorism Act 2000, and he has been taken into custody for questioning.
Another man has been arrested in connection to the Manchester synagogue terror attack / Credit: Google Maps | GMP
This brings the total number of people arrested in connection with the incident to eight.
That number includes a 30-year-old man arrested on suspicion of failing to disclose information regarding terrorist activity, contrary to S38B of the Terrorism Act 2000, who still remains under investigation, and a man who has since been charged with terrorism offences that are not directly linked to the attack.
“We remain unwavering in our commitment to establishing the full picture behind the attack and getting answers for those affected, including the local community,” commented Assistant Chief Constable Rob Potts, who holds operational responsibility for Counter Terrorism Policing North West.
“We are prepared to take swift, firm action where we suspect criminal offences may have occurred.
“Our investigation is continuing, and I would once again urge anybody who may have information that could assist us to please contact police.”
Featured Image – GMP
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Met Office dishes on how long heatwave’ll last as yesterday was hottest May day on record
Emily Sergeant
The Met Office has given us an idea of how long this current heatwave may last.
It comes after a new UK temperature record was broken yesterday, as it reached 34.8°C at the weather station in Kew Gardens – with the figure being both the highest daily maximum temperature recorded in meteorological spring (March, April, and May), as well as the highest temperature in May all together.
The previous record of 32.8°C was reached in 1922 and 1944.
If confirmed and validated, and May sees a new official daily temperature record, it would mean that more than half of the monthly record highs – seven out of 12 – have been set since 2003.
Today has been the hottest day in May on record with Kew Gardens provisionally reaching 34.8°C – exceeding the previous highest May temperature in the UK by a full 2 degrees Celsius🌡️
This heat would be exceptional in the UK even in mid summer, let alone in May📈 pic.twitter.com/d8boJYgaXJ
But what exactly is considered to be a heatwave? Well, heatwave conditions in the UK are met when a location records a period of at least three consecutive days with temperature values meeting or exceeding the heatwave temperature threshold for that location.
Looking ahead to the rest of the week, and providing the public with an indication of how long these temperatures could last, Met Office weather forecasters say the start of the week will see the heatwave continue for much of England and Wales with temperatures ‘well above average’, and today (Tuesday 26) expected to be another ‘very hot day’ with a rapid rise in temperatures through the morning.
The heat will then continue through the week, with highs of 31°C forecast for Wednesday, 30°C on Thursday, 27°C on Friday, and 28°C on Saturday.
“We’ve now provisionally broken the spring and May temperature record,” commented Met Office Chief Operational Meteorologist, Dan Suri.
“Meteorologically, what we’ve seen is the influence of warmth building under an area of high pressure near the UK allowing exceptional heat to build allowing maximum and minimum temperatures to reach levels not previously reported at this time of year.
“Further heat is in the forecast for much of England and Wales, with similar temperatures forecast for Tuesday.
“High pressure is forecast to gradually lose its influence later in the week, though maximum temperatures will still remain high and in the low 30°Cs for some mid-week and high 20°Cs late this week.”
Emily Sergeant -
8th February 2022 
