Children and pregnant women should beware of caffeine in energy drinks Energy drinks which contain caffeine should not be given to children, as they are likely to make the children more irritable, nervous and anxious, according to the European Union's Scientific Committee on Food (SCF). The SCF also suggested that pregnant women should take ener... Energy drinks which contain caffeine should not be given to children, as they are likely to make the children more irritable, nervous and anxious, according to the European Union's Scientific Committee on Food (SCF). The SCF also suggested that pregnant women should take energy drinks in moderation. For taurine and glucuronolactone, the SCF was unable to conclude that their safety-in-use in the concentration ranges in "energy" drinks had been adequately established. Further studies would be required to establish upper safe levels for daily intake of taurine and glucuronolactone, stated the SCF. The possible interactions of the constituents of energy drinks have not been well studied, and the SCF considered that the possible interactions between caffeine, taurine and alcohol may warrant investigation in humans, particularly under conditions of exercise and consequent dehydration through sweating. The SCF's detailed conclusions are available on-line: URL: http://europa.eu.int/comm/dg24/health/sc/scf/out22_en.html
