Kids amped up on energy drinks

American doctors are urging kids to get off the energy drinks. If you have to go for a supplemental beverage, try sports drinks. This recommendation comes after national debate regarding the healthfulness, or not, of kids drinking Red Bull and Five Hour Energy type drinks.

“Children never need energy drinks,” said Dr. Holly Benjamin, of the American Academy of Pediatrics. “They contain caffeine and other stimulant substances that aren’t nutritional, so you don’t need them.”

The new recommendations are published in Pediatrics. Researchers noted that energy drinks are made with a mix of ingredients, often using lots of sugar and stimulants. Some have vitamins and may include herbal ingredients, also unregulated herbal stimulants. While there is no direct evidence of individual harm coming from these drinks, stimulants can interfere with regular heart rhythm and may lead to seizure in rare cases. Also when combined with medications, like the stimulants taken for ADHD, these beverages can create a real problem for children.

In earlier research for the energy drinks, Florida pediatricians described case of seizures, delusions, heart problems and kidney or liver damage in people who had one or more the energy drinks.

They recommend sticking to water. For less athletic kids, even a sports drink can end up adding to weight and being unhealthy.

Source: Pediatrics, Reuters