13-Year-Old Iraqi Girl Dies After Consuming Three Cans of Energy Drink

Although she was taken to a health center, the girl died, according to local media in Kirkuk Governorate, in the north of the country.

In an interview with “Sky News Arabia”, the Director General of the Kirkuk Health Department, Dr. Nabil Hamdi Bushnaq, confirmed the incident, saying: “Yes, unfortunately, the child died, and work is currently underway on an autopsy and sending samples for examination, pending the results of laboratory analyzes for verification.” of the cause of death.”

Bushnaq added, “The information we have says that she passed out after drinking 3 bottles of an energy drink in a row, and for this we took samples of her blood to verify whether drinking this drink was the cause of death.”

He continued: “Energy drinks in general are not a healthy option and it is not recommended to drink them, especially by the young and the sick, as they contain large calories and ingredients such as caffeine. Consuming them in abundance and within a short period of time may cause exposure to very critical health conditions and disorders.”

Controls for the sale of energy drinks and medical warnings

The incident sparked wide reactions in Iraqi social networks, where commentators demanded to ban the sale of such drinks in the markets, or at least to set controls on their consumption and ban their purchase by children and minors.

Health experts warn of the negative effects of regular consumption of energy drinks because they contain large amounts of sugars, stimulants and stimulants, which harm the nervous system, raise heart rates, blood pressure, and sugar levels in the body, and may cause serious health complications such as stroke and diabetes.

Energy drinks usually consist of:

• Stimulants and herbs like caffeine, ginseng, guarana, and carnitine.
• Caltaurine Amino Acids.
• Fatty acids and fats.
• sugars.
• Some vitamins, such as B vitamins.
• Minerals such as sodium, calcium and phosphorous.