Sports drinks and energy drinks being marketed to children and teenagers are now sounding an alarm about their inappropriate use in these age groups.
With children and adolescents, careful consideration is necessary when selecting a beverage to hydrate before, during, or after exercise and outside physical activity to prevent excessive sugar and caloric intake that may encourage dental erosion, overweight, and obesity, BBC reported. Sports drinks are different products than energy drinks.
The former are flavoured beverages that often contain carbohydrates, minerals, electrolytes and sometimes vitamins or other nutrients. Sports and energy drink consumption by children and adolescents are widespread and continue to grow. Adolescents do not differentiate between the two beverages and cite the same benefits for both.
Energy drinks pose potential health risks primarily because of stimulant content therefore, they are not appropriate for children and adolescents and should never be consumed. Water consumption should be promoted as the principal source of hydration for young athletes instead of sports or energy drinks.