BRADENTON -- Manatee County school board members on Monday banned energy drinks in schools.

Schools officials worry that the drinks have undesirable effects on students and took the step to bar students from bringing them to school.

The board voted 4-0 to ban the drinks. Board member Barbara Harvey was absent.

Studies have shown that the beverages – containing high amounts of caffeine, taurine, sugar or sweeteners and other substances – could do more harm than good.

Experts say such drinks can produce changes in heart rates, blood pressure and sleeping patterns among children due to their size and metabolic rate.

Children, teens and young adults make up half of the energy drink market, a multibillion-dollar industry, according to researchers.

The ban is listed in the Manatee schools’ code of student conduct. Possession of energy drinks in schools can subject students to discipline.