A new study shows that kids do not need sports drinks or energy drinks.
May 30, 2011- In a new report pediatricians have said that kids really do not need sports drinks after exercising and much less caffeine-filled energy drinks. In a report published on line Monday, the American Academy of Pediatrics said that both energy and sports drinks are being marketed towards teens and kids but in the majority of cases they are not needed by those age groups.
They went on to say there are some substances in the products that may be harmful and that they had too many calories. The authors of the report indicated that there was a certain amount of confusion amongst teens thinking that both sports drinks and energy drinks were pretty much the same and many were unaware that they really do not need them.
For example many kids are drinking the caffeine laced energy drinks loaded with calories, after exercise, when their goal is to just rehydrate their system. This means caffeine and other stimulants, in large quantities are being ingested and that could be dangerous. There have been a number of reports where energy drinks were linked with seizures and heart palpitations that caused hospitalization. And in rare instances they have been linked to sudden death and also strokes.
They also say that while sports drinks have not be linked to those sorts of incidents, that have too many calories and that children just do not need to drink them, adding that they could lead to tooth decay and obesity.
