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There are many ads on TV claiming better health for children with the consumption of energy drinks. Apart from increased energy and stamina, the ads also claim a faster physical growth and better academic performance. The influential ads get mothers around the world to feed their children with such drinks in good faith of bringing up their children in the best of health. However, rubbishing all such claims made by energy drink manufacturers, researchers in a new study are claiming that drinking one energy drink has no effect whatsoever on the cognitive performance of secondary school pupils.

The study conducted by University of Twente psychologist Pascal Wilhelm (department of Instructional Technology) and three co-researchers concluded the result after observing and analyzing 103 pupils at a secondary school in the Dutch province of Overijssel, Medical Xpress reported.

For the study, researchers gave a large glass of energy drink, fruit squash or water to three groups of fourth year pupils. The researchers added flavors to the drinks to disguise the taste of the energy drink and the squash. Later, the pupils were asked to undergo a number of written tests that evaluated their attention and concentration, learning and memory, verbal and numerical reasoning, numerical aptitude and vocabulary, the report said.

The findings of the study showed that those who had energy drinks did not do any better than others who did not have the same drink.

The researchers say that rather than benefiting from the drinks, one may suffer with headache and insomnia due to the caffeine content in the drinks. Also, according to the report, intensive consumption of energy drinks can increase the risk of drug use.

"Our research shows that, in terms of school performance, there are no grounds to suggest possible benefits to young people that would justify these risks," Dr. Wilhelm states.

The researchers suggest that in case if someone is in need of a study boost, one may want to consider having coffee. In case coffee is not their first preference, simply imagining that one has had an energy drink may perhaps just be as powerful!

The results of the study will be published in the journal Tijdschrift voor Psychiatrie.