The warning issued by former First Lady Mama Salma Kikwete in Parliament regarding energy drinks reflects grave and evidence-based concerns about their impact on youth health and behaviour. The implications are multifaceted and severe, spanning physiological, psychological, and social domains:
⚕️ 1. Physical Health Risks.
– Cardiovascular Strain:
High caffeine content (160–500 mg per can) causes abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmia), elevated blood pressure, and increased cardiac workload. Cases of cardiac episodes requiring emergency intervention—including one in a Newport schoolchild—are documented.
– Neurotoxic Effects:
Excessive caffeine can trigger seizures, insomnia, and headaches. In adolescents, caffeine clearance is slower, amplifying toxicity risks.
– Metabolic Dysfunction:
Sugar overload (up to 21 teaspoons per serving) drives insulin resistance, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. “Sugar-free” versions use artificial sweeteners linked to anxiety and hypertension.
🧠 2. Mental Health and Cognitive Consequences.
– Psychological Distress:
Large-scale studies associate energy drinks with heightened anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, and ADHD symptoms. This stems from caffeine disrupting the balance of neurotransmitters and sleep cycles.
– Academic Decline:
Sleep deprivation from caffeine reduces attention span and memory consolidation. Energy drink users report lower GPAs and impaired focus during crashes.
⚠️ 3. Behavioural and Addiction Risks.
– Gateway to Substance Abuse:
Adolescents consuming energy drinks are **2x more likely** to use alcohol, tobacco, or illicit drugs. The stimulant effects may lower inhibition and increase the tendency to seek thrills.
– Alcohol Mixing Hazards:
10% of teens combine energy drinks with alcohol, masking intoxication and enabling dangerous consumption levels. This correlates with drunk driving, violence, and unsafe sex.
– Dependence Cycle:
Caffeine withdrawal (headaches, fatigue) prompts repeated use, creating a dependency that parallels substance addiction.
📊 Table: Key Physiological Impacts vs. Safe Limits for Adolescents.
| No. | Health Parameter. | Energy Drink Impact. | Safe Threshold. |
| 1.0 | Caffeine Intake. | 160–500 mg/can. | ≤100 mg/day. |
| 2.0 | Sugar Content. | Up to 54g/serving. | ≤25g/day (WHO). |
| 3.0 | Emergency Visits. | (Ages 12–17). | 1,500+ (2011) | N/A. |
| 4.0 | Sleep Reduction. | 30+ minutes/night. | 8–10 hours/night. |
🌍 4. Socio-Cultural and Policy Challenges in Tanzania.
– Targeted Marketing:
Brands like Prime (endorsed by influencers like Logan Paul) appeal to youth via social media, normalising consumption.
– Regulatory Gaps:
Despite EU-style warning labels, lax enforcement in Tanzania has allowed counterfeit and substandard energy drinks to circulate, as seen in TFDA’s 2023 crackdown.
– Economic Burden:
Rising energy drink-related ER visits strain healthcare systems. The UK estimates £2.2 billion in annual sales, underscoring the industry’s influence.
💡 Evidence-Based Solutions.
– Legislative Action:
Ban sales to under-16s (as urged by 40+ health groups in the UK) and enforce more transparent labelling.
– Healthy Alternatives:
Water, diluted fruit juice, or homemade electrolyte mixes (made by mixing water, fruit juice, and a pinch of salt).
– Parental/Community Education:
Teach sleep hygiene and nutrition literacy to break the fatigue→caffeine cycle.
Mama Kikwete’s advocacy aligns with global calls to protect youth from these documented hazards. Immediate policy reform and increased public awareness are crucial to mitigating this escalating health crisis.
Read more analysis by Rutashubanyuma Nestory
