The consumption of energy drinks by teenagers may be linked to mental health issues and the use of substances such as alcohol, a new study suggests.

Canadian scientists looked at over 8,200 secondary school students, two-thirds of whom had consumed an energy drink within the previous 12 months. More than one in five admitted to consuming the drinks at least once a month.

The scientists found that students who were prone to depression, and those who consumed alcohol or smoked marijuana, were more likely to consume these drinks than their peers.

"While it remains unclear why these associations exist, the trend is a concern because of the high rate of consumption among teenagers. These drinks appeal to young people because of their temporary benefits like increased alertness, improved mood and enhanced mental and physical energy," they commented.

They said that marketing campaigns ‘appear designed to entice youth and young adults', but this could be dangerous, particularly for young people at risk of substance abuse.

Energy drinks have already been associated with a number of health effects, due to their high concentration of caffeine. These include sleep problems and nausea.

"Given the negative effects of excessive caffeine consumption, as well as the coincident occurrence of the use of energy drinks and other negative behaviors in teens, the trends we are seeing are more than cause for concern," the scientists from the University of Waterloo insisted.

They believe that teenagers' consumption of these drinks should be limited. They would also like to see more education and awareness about the possible effects the drinks can have.

"This won't eliminate the problem entirely, but steps like these can help mitigate harm to our youth that appears to be associated with consumption of these drinks. This is something we need to take seriously," they added.

Details of these findings are published in the journal, Preventive Medicine.