Kids should avoid energy, sports drinks
Experts ensure parents that sport drinks are not essential for children and teens as their use is associated with certain health-threatening conditions like obesity.
A group of Nutrition experts and pediatricians, in their report in the journal Pediatrics, warned parents that caffeine and herbal stimulants found in energy drinks can be dangerous to kids and lead to high blood pressure, increased heart rate and insomnia.
Some cans or bottles of energy drinks contain more than 500 mg of caffeine, equivalent to the amount found in 14 cans of caffeinated soda, the American Academy of Pediatrics warned in its report.
"Caffeine and other stimulant substances contained in energy drinks have no place in the diet of children and adolescents," the officials stressed.
"Furthermore, frequent or excessive intake of caloric sports drinks can substantially increase the risk for overweight or obesity in children and adolescents."
"The biggest danger is probably the displacement of adequate sources of calcium and vitamin D in the diet," said Stephen Cook from the University of Rochester. "These beverages are replacing milk, especially the very crucial time of immense bone growth and development."
"For most children engaging in routine physical activity, plain water is best," said Holly Benjamin, a co-author of the study. "Sports drinks contain extra calories that children don't need."
The report, which is not the first warning about the growing consumption of sport and energy drinks among youngsters, comes while statistics show that the incidence of obesity in US children and adolescents aged between 2 and 19 reached almost 17 percent in 2007.
Source: presstv.ir
