What Sports Drink is Safe for Kids?
First, let us draw the line between sports drinks and energy drinks. Both drinks have a lot of sugar. The difference is in the caffeine content. These drinks are actually dangerous for teens though they are very popular in this age group. Most pediatricians do not recommend these drinks to kids mainly because of the caffeine levels. Too much caffeine can lead to dizziness, nausea, and vomiting.
Energy drinks have up to four times as much caffeine as in a bigger can of soda. The guarana present in energy drinks is also another potential harmful ingredient for teens. It is an extract from a South American tree which also contains caffeine. Too much of this substance can cause diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.
On the other hand, sports drinks do not have caffeine but electrolytes. These are used by our bodies to keep electrical impulses between each other. We lose these electrolytes as our bodies sweat during a tough workout. The most important role of sport drinks aside from rehydrating is replacing those lost electrolytes and bringing balance to the systems of our bodies. But, this does not mean kids can consume them without doing any harm to them.
Pediatricians say that sports drinks are not meant for teens after an hour of soccer or basketball. They are specially formulated for athletes involved in intense physical activities for long hours. Additionally, these drinks have a lot of calories and sugar; and they can cause tooth decay if consumed routinely. As obvious, kids must get their calories from nutritious food and drinks and not from sports drinks.
Physicians still recommend pedialyte to rehydrate kids when they are sick. It contains less sugar and more electrolytes. The bottom line is, energy drinks is a big no for kids. They can drink sports drinks but only in little amount.
If you are looking for a good drink for your sporty child, water is still best. It does not contain sugar and other harmful ingredients. It's all-natural. If he gets tired of it, you can give him organic coconut water. This drink can be considered as pure and safe for kids as water. It is low in carbohydrates and in sugar, and is 99% sugar free. Also, it boost's immune system, detoxifies and rehydrates the body, and replenishes the body's fluids naturally. The organic coconut water is not known as nature's sports drinks for nothing.
About the Author
Visit Inspired Wellbeing and learn how to get healthy drinks for your kids, http://www.inspiredwellbeing.com.au/
Tell others about
this page:
Comments? Questions? Email Here