Australian scientists call for caffeine regulations in soft drinks

Scientists in Melbourne, Australia, have called on soft drink manufacturers to implement tougher regulations on the use of caffeine, disputing claims that it improves taste.

The call was based on a study of the drinking habits of 99 participants across one month, which was conducted by scientists at Deakin University and published in the British Journal of Nutrition on Tuesday.

The participants were split into two groups, with one given caffeinated soft drinks to consume over the month-long period and the other group supplied with non-caffeinated drinks.

They were told to consume as much of the drink as they wanted, with the caffeinated group consuming 419 milliliters per day, compared to the non-caffeinated group, which averaged 273 milliliters per day.

According to Associate Professor at Deakin University, Lynn Riddell, the results linked caffeine with consumption.

"Our findings clearly show that caffeine as an additive in soft drinks increased consumption - and with it sugar calories - and that is a significant public health issue given the prevalence of obesity," Riddell told The ABC on Tuesday.

"It supports the ongoing need for caffeine to be tightly regulated as an additive in the food supply as it appears an ingredient for over-consumption."

Meanwhile the study's lead author, Professor Russell Keast, believes the results prove caffeine's addictive influence on the body.

"Caffeine promotes liking and consumption via subconscious influences that may be related to reversing caffeine withdrawal symptoms," Keast said.

"Additive compounds such as caffeine that promote consumption via subconscious effects work against efforts to minimize energy consumption.

"The research provides evidence in support of the need for strong regulation of caffeine as an additive to foods."

Currently, more than 60 percent of soft drinks on the Australian market contain caffeine. Endi