Power Drinks: Should Your Child Drink Them?
Source: The Nemours Foundation
When it comes to hydrating kids, particularly those who play sports, there's a dizzying array of sodas, juices, tea and coffee drinks, and bottled waters to choose from. And there's another category of beverages that's causing a buzz: power drinks.
Power drinks can include anything from sports beverages to vitamin waters to "high-energy" supplement drinks. What they all have in common is added ingredients that say they "do" something extra, whether it's increase energy and alertness, boost nutrition, or even enhance athletic performance. But are they right for your child?
Evaluating the Choices
Everyone needs to stay hydrated to stay healthy, and you can't go wrong giving your child plain water. But what about when your child plays sports? Does he or she need something extra to avoid dehydration?
Not necessarily. The average child athlete can and should get all the necessary nutrients and hydration by eating healthy foods and drinking plenty of water before, during, and after exercise. Experts recommend drinking about 1 cup (240 milliliters) of water during every 20 to 30 minutes of physical activity — your child may need more or less water depending on weight and intensity of the activity.
Soda is not recommended for hydration during sports and should be avoided because it contains excess sugar, which can lead to weight gain. What's more, the carbonation can upset your child's stomach. Soda also often contains caffeine, which acts as a diuretic (something that causes frequent urination) and may promote instead of prevent dehydration.
As for the other choices on the market today, here's a closer look at the ingredients they contain and how they measure up:
