Should children be drinking sports drinks?

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Are sports drinks appropriate for children? Sport drinks are perceived as being a healthy alternative to pop and sweetened beverages. However, sports drinks are full of sugar and unnecessary calories. The rate of consumption of sports drinks in children and adolescents are increasing. Big companies are creating zero calorie drinks, smaller size beverages, and commercials aimed towards children to sell their products. However, these zero calorie sports drinks still contain added artificial sweeteners which are not a healthy alternative. 
American College of Sports Medicine reports that sports drinks were designed for athletes or individuals that part in vigorous physical activity. American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) agree that children and teenagers do not do enough exercise to make it appropriate for them to need sports drinks. AAP claims the average child doesn’t take part in the level of physical activity that requires electrolyte replenishment that are in sport drinks. Consuming water before, during and after physical activity will provide their need to stay hydrated. However, sports drinks can be appropriate in certain situations for children. If they are involved in intense workouts for more than an hour and involve hot humid conditions, small amounts of sports drinks are appropriate. 
Sports drinks are typically high in sugar, calories, and sodium which can increase their risk of overweight and obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and can cause poor dental health. These unnecessary calories and sugar for children can cause more harm than good just like pop and sweetened beverages. So next time you feel thirsty, why not skip the pop, sweetened beverages, and sports drinks and reach for a glass of water. 

LS

Hernandex, H. (2018). Is your child exercising enough to justify that sports drink? Houston Life. Retrieved from https://www.click2houston.com/health/is-your-teen-exercising-enough-to-justify-that-sports-drink

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