Printed September 26. 2023 01:23PM
f you’ve got a tween or teen, chances are high you’ve most likely had power drinks in your home.
The drinks are extra in style than ever amongst younger individuals, however ought to your child be consuming them?
Some power drinks comprise as a lot caffeine as 4 cups of espresso.
Caffeine may cause a number of well being points in children, together with anxiousness, tremors and coronary heart palpitations.
Vitality drinks vs. sports activities drinks
Sports activities drinks are designed for athletes who must rehydrate shortly throughout intense exercises. They comprise water, sugar and electrolytes to interchange fluids misplaced by way of sweat.
Vitality drinks are supposed to increase alertness and power.
They typically comprise caffeine, but additionally could embody nutritional vitamins and different natural components.
Whereas children usually don’t want sports activities drinks, they’re higher than power drinks. Water is the most suitable choice to maintain children hydrated, however sports activities drinks will be helpful for teenagers who take part in lengthy or intense exercises.
Caffeine and youngsters
Many adults can ingest small quantities of caffeine with out experiencing any negative effects. Nevertheless, caffeine impacts children otherwise.
A few of the important well being dangers children could have from consuming caffeinated power drinks embody:
• Elevated coronary heart fee
• Hypertension
• Irregular heartbeat and coronary heart palpitations
• Insomnia
• Frequent urination
• Elevated blood sugar
Youngsters consuming caffeinated power drinks repeatedly can result in a caffeine dependency with withdrawal signs like complications, irritability and flu-like signs in the event that they don’t have caffeine.
Younger athletes beware
Vitality drinks usually lure younger athletes as a result of they promise to spice up sports activities efficiency, however power drinks can have the other impact on children.
Caffeine is a stimulant and might trigger younger athletes to expertise irregular heartbeat, tremors and issue with wonderful motor management throughout athletic efficiency.
Younger athletes ought to all the time hydrate with loads of water earlier than consuming the rest.
In case your younger athlete feels they want extra power for practices and competitions, listed below are a couple of ideas.
• Eat extra – Consuming common meals and nutritious snacks can increase power.
• Keep hydrated – Water is the most suitable choice, however sports activities drinks could also be acceptable for lengthy observe days.
• Get sufficient sleep – Most tweens and youths want 8-12 hours of sleep, however many admit they don’t get that a lot.
Do you know?
Lehigh Valley Well being Community athletic trainers present well being companies to groups in Carbon County, together with Jim Thorpe and Lehighton college districts.
In case you are taken with studying extra about maintaining your younger athlete wholesome, name 610-402-8900 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Dimitry Belogorodsky at LVPG Orthopedics and Sports activities Medication–Carbon.
Vitality or hydration drinks are good for some athletes, however kids have results that might trigger issues. AMY MILLER/TIMES NEWS