Who needs energy drinks? Not children, not even young adults. Yet, our market is flooded with energy drinks of all sorts, in all flavours and colours that claim to boost energy, revive health, keep you in shape and help you attain a six-pack! And many seem to believe it, not knowing that energy drinks are not necessary for your health. Recently, the American Academy of Paediatrics (AAP) came out with a report, directing children not to consume energy drinks and sports drinks.
According to researchers, energy drinks contain caffeine that can have a number of harmful health effects in children. It is ideal for children to avoid beverages that contain caffeine, like soda and aerated drinks. Most of these drinks contain glucose to boost energy, and that is one reason why they have become popular with children and youngsters. They may have a mix of sugar and flavours to add to the taste, but they may not do much for the body as far as health is concerned.
Having energy drinks regularly means there is a shortage in the intake of water which will cause problems. Many youngsters believe that they only need to have these drinks instead of water after physical activities. But it is not true. Plain water cannot be replaced with such drinks because it contains ingredients that growing children and young adults need. They can do without the extra calories in these addictive drinks which could result in obesity and other issues.
According to the AAP report some bottles of energy drinks have more than 500 mg of caffeine that equals 14 cans of soda! This would make children cut down on their regular food that is rich in all the nutrients necessary for the health of the body. No energy drink can make you healthy if you do not take nutritious food and adequate water regularly.
Instead of energy drinks, youngsters should opt for a well-balanced diet. One should not skip any meal, especially breakfast if one wants to maintain one’s energy through the day. South Indian food, especially our breakfast items like idli and dosa, offers our daily needs of protein and carbohydrates. Add plenty of fruits and vegetables and you won’t need that bottle displayed prominently on store shelves.
And if you think that an “energy drink” will help you to sport a six-pack body, forget it. A healthy body cannot be built on marketing hypes; you need your diet to do it for you.
The author is the president of Indian Medical Association, Kochi, and national executive member, Indian Academy of Pediatrics.
0 comments:
Post a Comment