We often provide various drinks to children. But are energy drinks safe for them? Find out more.Children often ask for various drinks whenever they are thirsty. Sometimes children want to try something different. While we provide various chocolaty and milk drinks to kids, is it safe to buy ‘energy drinks’ for kids? There are various such drinks available in the market and they may not be safe for kids.
High in Caffeine
Energy drinks provide a boost of energy and are often loaded with high caffeine content. They may not be appropriate to give kids. They can give rise to various side-effects. They can even be harmful for kids. All kids feel thirsty and most of them are very active. However, energy drinks are not the answer. Many children have even been hospitalized because they have had such
drinks. Apart from caffeine, these drinks also contain stimulants and sugar which is not suitable for kids.
Plain Water is the Best
Every time kids feel thirsty, plain water can be very helpful. It is not loaded with sugar content or high amounts of caffeine. Water quenches the thirst and keeps children healthy. Fruit juices are
healthy drinks and are also good sometimes. Too much fruit juice is also not required. Children who do a lot of exercise also do not require energy drinks. Although human body needs nutrition, it is best to provide it the normal way.
Energize the Natural Way
Providing kids with a lot of
fruits, vegetables, milk,
eggs, etc can prove to be very beneficial. It is best to obtain adequate amount of vitamins and minerals the natural way rather than relying on ‘vitamin water’ or ‘energy drinks.’ Energy drinks are often addictive and drinking them can become a habit. Caffeine overdose is also possible. Hence, stick to healthy drinks and avoid too many of those fizzy or
caffeinated drinks even if children ask for it.
Health Issues
The sweet taste combined with caffeine often makes such drinks appealing to the younger generation. However, various health hazards have been reported over the usage of energy drinks. They are very bad for the heart. Vomiting, nausea, headache, cardiac disease and a host of other symptoms and illnesses can occur with the usage of such drinks. In Western countries, many youngsters mix these drinks with alcohol also which has shown to be even worse.
Provides a High
Energy drinks often provide an instant boost of energy which may last for a short while. After experiencing an instant high, children often feel like taking these drinks on a regular basis. Sometimes, all the ingredients are not even listed on the packaging. Due to the instant high they give, children can become addicted to such drinks also. The caffeine and other ingredients provide an instant rush which might feel good but it is actually harmful.
Not Good for the Body
Even the World Health Organization (WHO) has raised a red flag against these drinks. The unhealthy amount of caffeine and various stimulants contained in these drinks is not good for the body. Although they are non-alcoholic, there are many cases of young people getting addicted to these drinks. It is said to improve performance and provide a burst of energy, however there are more risks than benefits involved with such drinks.
Even though many energy drinks are marketed for children, it is best to avoid giving children such drinks. Very often boys ask for such drinks as compared to girls. Young males often end up getting addicted to such drinks. In extreme cases, it can even lead to ‘drug addiction.’ Energy drinks are harmful for teenagers as well as kids.
Are energy drinks addictive? Is it safe to give energy drinks to children? What are the harmful effects of energy drinks on children? Discuss here.
