Energy drinks ‘iron blow’ to teen girls

Rising levels of iron deficiency among teenage girls could be linked to an increase in the amount of energy drinks they consume, it has been claimed.

Britain’s Health Food Manufacturers’ Association warned caffeine can inhibit the body’s uptake of minerals such as iron.

Recent research has shown around 40% of girls and young women aged 11 to 24 have lower-than-expected iron intake.

Other studies have indicated that one in 10 British teenagers consume as many as five cans of caffeinated energy drinks every week, the HFMA said.

A poll by the association on 10,000 British adults found that three quarters of 18- to 24- year-olds do not know that caffeine can restrict a person’s intake of these vital minerals.

HFMA executive director Graham Keen said: “Micro-nutrients are essential for good health and wellbeing, and iron-deficiency is a widescale issue which shouldn’t be ignored — particularly for teenage girls.

“The public needs access to straightforward information about how vitamins and minerals work.”