Use Sports and Energy Drinks in Kids and Teens with Caution

Are sports drinks (Gatorade, etc) and energy drinks (Red Bull, etc) in kids and teens safe?

More than half of American high school students consume energy drinks…but this doesn’t mean they’re safe.

One concern is the sugar content in many sports and energy drinks, which may lead to obesity and dental cavities.

Plus the electrolytes in sports drinks usually aren’t needed.

Recommend water to replace fluid loss during routine physical activity… and save sports drinks for prolonged and vigorous activities that can lead to more electrolyte loss.

Another issue is the caffeine content in most energy drinks…sometimes from herbal sources, such as green tea, guarana, and yerba mate.

These drinks typically have about 95 mg of caffeine per serving…about double the amount in some soft drinks.

Limit daily caffeine intake to 45 mg for kids ages 4 to 6 years… 62.5 mg for ages 7 to 9… 85 mg for ages 10 to 12…and 2.5 mg/kg for teens.

Watch for caffeine from other sources, such as pain relievers (Tylenol Ultra Relief, etc), weight loss products (Green Coffee Bean Extract, etc), and food (chocolate, etc).

Even low doses of caffeine may cause anxiety, irritability, headaches, insomnia, etc. And lack of sleep can impair judgment and reaction time…even if people feel more alert.

Caution when combining caffeine and alcohol. Stimulants can mask alcohol’s sedative effects, which may lead to more drinking, drunk driving, and other risky behaviors.