New Safefood research has revealed that three in four people in Northern Ireland support introducing age restrictions on energy drink sales to children. The findings come just weeks after England announced plans to ban the sale of energy drinks to under-16s from April 2027.
The research from Safefood found high levels of energy drink consumption among younger people, with six in ten (60%) people aged 15–24 drinking them at least once a week and one in eight (12%) consuming them every day. An energy boost was the main reason given for drinking energy drinks, with almost two-thirds (64%) of people in Northern Ireland citing this as their primary motivation.
The research found that many energy drinks remain high in sugar and caffeine. Among the energy drinks analysed by Safefood, average sugar levels have risen from 22.6g per serving in 2019 to 30.9g in 2026 – an increase of around two teaspoons of sugar per serving – with some products containing as much as 65-70g of sugar, equivalent to approximately 17.5 teaspoons.
Caffeine levels also remain high. The average energy drink now contains 115mg of caffeine per serving – around the equivalent of 1.4 espressos – while some products contain up to 200mg, or around 2.5 espressos. Although caffeine concentration per 100ml has changed little over the past decade, larger serving sizes mean people are often ingesting significantly more caffeine from a single drink. More than half (55%) of products were sold in half litre (500ml) cans. This compares with 38% in 2019.
Despite these high levels of consumption, almost all of those surveyed (99%) was aware or somewhat aware of the potential negative health effects of energy drinks, with 87% saying they were fully aware. However, the findings suggest that awareness alone is not enough to influence behaviour.
Availability of energy drinks has also increased. Since last measured by Safefood in 2019, the number of energy drinks available to buy from supermarkets on the island of Ireland has almost doubled, from 42 to 77.
Commenting on the research, Dr Joanne Ui Chrualoaich, CEO of Safefood, said: “One of the most striking findings from this research is that almost all those surveyed know energy drinks can have negative health effects, yet many people continue to drink them regularly. It’s notable that the number of energy drink brands on sale in supermarkets has almost doubled over the last 11 years. This is a significant increase in availability.”
Dr. Aileen McGloin, Director of Nutrition at Safefood, continued: “What many people may not realise is just how much sugar and caffeine they can get from a single energy drink. As serving sizes have grown, some products now contain the equivalent of up to 17.5 teaspoons of sugar and as much caffeine as two and a half espressos. Our online drinks checker is a handy tool for people to see how much sugar and caffeine are in these drinks.”
“While energy drinks may promise a quick energy boost, they often come at a significant nutritional cost. Children and young people are more sensitive to the effects of caffeine than adults, and drinks that are high in both sugar and caffeine can impact sleep, concentration and overall health. If you’re looking to improve your energy levels, eating regular, balanced meals, staying well-hydrated and getting enough sleep are healthier and more sustainable ways to do it. When it comes to hydration, water is always the best choice.”
Click here to view the Safefood online drinks checker: www.safefood.net/healthy-eating/energy-drinks-checker
