Energy Drink Consumption Among Italian Teenagers Rises as Governments Consider Restrictions
Energy drinks, which gained popularity in Italian nightlife during the late 1990s and early 2000s, are now predominantly consumed by young adults and teenagers, especially males. Research conducted by the Società per lo Studio sulla dipendenza reveals that nearly 60% of this group has experimented with them. According to the ESPAD report, 48.6% of Italian youths aged 15-19 reported monthly consumption over the past year, an increase from 40%. Health concerns include effects on blood pressure, sleep disturbances, and heightened risks of diabetes and obesity. Countries like Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Romania, and Hungary have prohibited sales to minors, with the UK and Spain suggesting similar measures in July. Red Bull, the leading brand, recommends moderation. In Italy, consumption surged 13% year-on-year by May 2026, yielding €254 million.
Fatti principali
- Almost 60 percent of adolescents and young adults have tried energy drinks at least once, according to the Società per lo Studio sulla dipendenza
- In Italy, 48.6 percent of youth aged 15 to 19 consumed energy drinks at least monthly in the past year, up from 40 percent the previous year, per the ESPAD report by the Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche
- Frequent consumption among boys rose from 6.5 percent in 2024 to 8.3 percent in 2025; among girls from 1.6 percent to 2.6 percent
- A large energy drink can contains 80 to 160 milligrams of caffeine, compared with 40 to 80 milligrams in an espresso
- Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Romania and Hungary have banned sales of energy drinks to minors under 18
- In July, the UK Labour government of Keir Starmer proposed banning sales to under-16s, and the Spanish government proposed the same
- Five schools in Lampasas, Texas, reported about 1,000 more students than the previous year visiting school nurses for panic attacks and heart palpitations, and banned consumption
- Data published in July by Il Sole 24 Ore, processed by Niq, showed a 13 percent increase in consumption year-on-year to May 2026, with almost 254 million euros in revenue in Italy alone
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- Società per lo Studio sulla dipendenza
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- Il Sole 24 Ore
- Niq
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- Lampasas
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