Do energy drinks have any negative effects on kids and teenagers? Learn the most important information about the harmful effects of energy drinks on adolescents and children and the healthy alternatives in this article.
The following information will cover the negative effects of energy drinks on kids and teenagers as well as suggested substitutions:
Effects of energy drinks on children and adolescents
Doctors typically advise against giving caffeine-containing beverages to kids under the age of 12, and say that kids over 12 should limit their daily caffeine intake to no more than 100 milligrammes.
As there are many health risks associated with energy drinks rich in caffeine on the body of children, including: weight gain, insomnia, complications on the heart and blood vessels, high blood pressure, obesity, caffeine poisoning, calcium deficiency, dental defects, and high blood sugar. severe headache in diabetic children.
According to the US National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, energy drink consumption can have negative effects on the health of teens. Teenagers are particularly at risk from the energy drinks' high levels of caffeine and additives.
The following are some negative effects that regular energy drink consumption has on teenagers:
- Energy drinks increase the risk of sleep disorders, impaired learning and poor performance, and there may be a greater possibility of addiction to drugs, cigarettes or alcohol.
- Energy drinks lack nutrients important for health, but they are rich in sugar and caffeine, so drinking these drinks regularly can be harmful for teens.
- 40% of teens aged 13-19 who consume energy drinks develop nausea, vomiting, nervousness, headaches , abdominal pain, and in some cases, the teen may suffer from seizures.
- Some types of energy drinks contain guarana, caffeine, creatine, or ginseng and large amounts of vitamins, proteins, carbohydrates, amino acids, and minerals. Consuming a mixture of these compounds along with caffeine can lead to dehydration because caffeine is a diuretic.
- Energy drinks contain more than 500 milligrams of caffeine , which is the equivalent of 14 cans of caffeinated soft drink. This amount of caffeine can cause toxicity that manifests as fast or irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, and hallucinations.
- Some energy drinks contain a high percentage of alcohol.
- Excessive consumption of sugary drinks is harmful to dental health and may lead to weight gain.
Healthy alternatives to energy drinks
Teenagers can get the energy they need to get through their daily tasks in a variety of ways after learning about the negative effects energy drinks have on kids and teenagers. Some of these options include:
1. A healthy lifestyle
The steps to a healthy lifestyle are as follows:
- Do regular exercise .
- Get enough sleep.
- Eat healthy and balanced meals.
- Get the vitamins you need.
- Drink enough water .
2. Alternative drinks
Although there are many healthy juices and drinks that are an alternative to energy drinks that are high in sugar, many teenagers are drawn to the colours and flavours of drinks, including the following:
- Unsweetened and flavored sparkling water.
- water that has been flavoured with lemon or berries.
- Herbal tea, hot or cold.
It is important to remember that soft drinks should not be consumed by kids, teenagers, or even adults because they are unhealthy even though they are one of the alternatives to energy drinks.