SPORTS DRINKS = AND ENERGY DRINKS

Sports Drinks and Energy Drinks =

Are they appropriate?

By=20 Lisa Lones RN BSN, School Nurse

Sports and = energy=20 drinks are being marketed to children and adolescents for a wide variety = of=20 inappropriate uses. These = drinks=20 are very different products and should not be used interchangeably. Sports drinks are flavored = beverages=20 that contain carbohydrates, minerals and electrolytes. Their purpose is to replace = water and=20 electrolytes lost through sweating during exercise. They are helpful for = athletes engaged in prolonged vigorous physical activities. Sports drinks contain extra = calories=20 that are not needed and could lead to weight gain and tooth decay. Examples of sports drinks are = Propel,=20 Gatorade and Clif.

Energy = drinks contain=20 stimulants, such as caffeine and guarana along with carbohydrates, = protein,=20 animo acids, vitamins, sodium and other minerals. Guarana is = a stimulant=20 that contains twice the caffeine found in coffee beans. Caffeine has been linked to a = number of=20 harmful health effects in children. =20 Examples of energy drinks are Monster, Mio energy, Red bull and=20 Rockstar.

Water, not = sports=20 drinks should be = the=20 principal source of hydration for children and adolescents. Water is also generally the = appropriate=20 first choice for hydration before, during and after exercise. Low fat = milk is a=20 good option for use as a post exercise protein recovery = drink.