Can my child drink energy drinks? Caffeine advice for children and teens
The Swedish Food Agency advises that young people under 16 have no more than 70 mg of caffeine a day, and that children under 6 avoid caffeine completely. Depending on the drink, 70 mg can be just a third of a can of energy drink. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) goes further: avoiding caffeine is the best choice for all children. Water is the best everyday drink.
| What | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Most caffeine per day, under 16 | 70 mg | Swedish Food Agency |
| Children under 6 | No caffeine at all | Swedish Food Agency |
| 70 mg is about | 125–220 ml of energy drink (depending on the drink), a small cup (150 ml) of filter coffee, or two 330 ml cans of cola | Swedish Food Agency |
| Caffeine in energy drinks | Usually 32–56 mg per 100 ml. A 355 ml can at 56 mg per 100 ml contains about 200 mg | Swedish Food Agency |
Why are children more sensitive to caffeine?
Children weigh less than adults and need undisturbed sleep to develop, so the same amount of caffeine affects them more (Swedish Food Agency). Caffeine can stay in the body for more than 8 hours (AAP), so a drink after school can still affect sleep at bedtime.
Common signs of too much caffeine are trouble falling asleep, a racing heart, shakiness, dizziness, worry and nausea (Swedish Food Agency). When it wears off, children may get a headache and feel irritable or tired (AAP). Caffeine can make you feel more alert for a while, but it does not make it easier to learn (Swedish Food Agency). Children with heart or lung conditions may be extra sensitive, and children who take stimulant medicine for ADHD may get sleep problems, irritability and mood swings from caffeine (AAP).
Where does caffeine hide?
- Energy drinks, and especially energy “shots”, where a can’s worth of caffeine is packed into 50 ml (Swedish Food Agency).
- Cola and some other fizzy drinks, coffee (including iced coffee) and tea (Swedish Food Agency, AAP).
- Dark chocolate, and sometimes ice cream, protein bars and chewing gum. Some medicines for migraine or period pain also contain caffeine (AAP).
- Caffeine pouches, which are placed in the mouth and can contain up to 200 mg (AAP).
Drinks other than coffee and tea with more than 150 mg of caffeine per litre must carry the warning “High caffeine content. Not recommended for children or pregnant or breast-feeding women” (Swedish Food Agency). Looking at the label together is a good habit.
Are there age limits?
There is no legal age limit in Sweden. Since 2009, the industry has had a voluntary agreement not to sell energy drinks to anyone under 15 (Swedish Food Agency). The 2026 caffeine advice for children applies regardless of where the drink comes from.
Sport, parties and late nights
- Do not use energy drinks to quench thirst or to rehydrate during sport or other hard exercise (Swedish Food Agency). Water is the best way to stay hydrated, and it is good for teeth too (AAP).
- Never mix energy drinks with alcohol: the caffeine can make you less aware of how drunk you are (Swedish Food Agency). It is worth saying this to older teenagers before parties.
- Caffeine is no substitute for sleep. Only sleep can repair the body and refresh the mind (AAP).
How do I talk to my child about it?
- Ask, without judging, why they drink it: for the taste, to stay awake, or because friends do? The answer tells you what to work on, such as sleep.
- Explain the 70 mg limit in cans, not milligrams: a single large can can contain more than double the daily amount.
- Teach them to listen to their body: feeling jittery or nervous can be a sign of too much caffeine (AAP).
- Keep water and other caffeine-free drinks easy to grab at home and in the sports bag.
Try this week
- Read the labels of the drinks you have at home together, and work out which ones go over 70 mg.
- Agree on no caffeine after school, so it does not affect sleep in the evening.
- Put a refillable water bottle in the school bag and sports bag.
When to get help
Get medical help right away if your child has had a lot of caffeine and has a racing or irregular heartbeat, fast breathing, shaking they cannot control, strong anxiety or cannot sit still (AAP). In an emergency, call 112 or your local emergency number. In Sweden, you can call 1177 for healthcare advice. Also talk to your doctor or the school nurse if your child needs energy drinks every day to get through the day, or sleeps badly.