Sports drinks are very harmful for your health, even though these drinks are sold as a healthy alternative to soft drinks. However, they can be just as bad as any other sugary counterpart they are trying to replace.
In a recent study, it was pointed out that large number of kids between the ages of 12 and 14 were consuming large amounts of these popular sports drinks socially. Increased consumption of these sports drinks also increase the risk of obesity and also cause tooth erosion. The study was conducted by Cardiff School of Dentistry and published in the British Dental Journal.
Dr. Paul D Jackson, President of University's Faculty of Sports and Exercise Medicine, said that parents just don't understand that the sports drinks are not meant for children's consumption, definitely not socially, that way 50% children drink them.
"The proportion of children in this study who consume high carbohydrate drinks, which are designed for sport, in a recreational non-sporting context is of concern," Jackson explained.
Dr. Jackson also insisted that sports drinks must only be used by athletes who are involved in intense sports. The researchers also discovered that the tooth decay in athletes is due to excessive consumption of soft drinks. Dr. Jackson said, "Water or milk is sufficient enough to hydrate active children, high sugar sports drinks are unnecessary for children and most adults."
Russ Ludwa, British Dental Association's Health and Science Committee Chair, said that it is shocking to see so many young children consuming sports drinks. Ladwa added that it is an act of utter negligence to market sports drinks to young people. "Elite athletes might have reason to use them, but for almost everyone else they represent a real risk to both their oral and their general health," he said.
