Sports drinks are for athletes taking part in endurance and intense sport events. Does your child fit into this category?
Sports drinks are not healthy drinks at all, unfortunately we associate sports with health and therefore a sports drink could be perceived as healthy.
However, it turns out that 68% of children drink these sugar loaded sports drinks at least once a week, according to researchers at Cardiff University. It seems that the main attraction to these drinks is the sweet taste, low price and all too easy availability.
In fact, at a sports event for my 8 year old son a week ago they were handing out Powerade and Aquarius for FREE to the children there. The children were primary students though to high school and it was an award ceremony so no, there wasn't a football match going on, or volley ball, or track events... it was just an award ceremony and fun and games such as inflatable castles and slides.
What is worrying about these types of drinks are their high sugar levels and the acidic content which increase the risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease and rotten teeth. The rotten teeth issue is actually bigger than it may seem with fruit juices contributing to young children having all their milk teeth extracted because of rotting due to the high sugar levels in fruit juice.Researchers spoke to 160 children between the ages of 12 to 14 in four schools in South Wales. Here in Spain I see children as young as 5 being given Aquarius with their lunch! The researchers found that 89% consumed sports drinks, 68% of those drink them on a regular basis (regular basis = between daily and weekly).
Russ Ladwa, of the British Dental Association, said:
"The rise of sports drinks as just another drink option among children is a cause for concern. They are laden with acids and sugars.
"Sports drinks are rarely a healthy choice, and marketing them to the general population is grossly irresponsible. Elite athletes might have reason to use them, but for almost everyone else they represent a risk to both their oral and general health."Note that he says that elite athletes MIGHT HAVE REASON... Sports drinks aren't even necessary for sports!!
Also if we check out the information on recommended daily allowance for sugar set by the World Health Organization (WHO), we find that back in 2015 they stated that free sugars should be 10% of the diet (that's about 50g or 12 teaspoons daily) but a further reduction to 5% (25g or 6 teaspoons daily) would be better. 5-10% free sugars daily, means from all the foods you could consume during one day.
Aquarius Original 100ml = 6.3g of sugar... But a 330ml can = 20.7g and a 500ml bottle = 31.5g of sugar. (One 500ml bottle is over the 5% recommended daily allowance (RDA) by WHO).
Aquarius Orange 100ml = 7.9g of sugar... But a 330ml can = 26g and a 500ml bottle = 39.5g of sugar. One 500ml is over the 5% RDA by WHO).
CocaCola have "improved" the aquarius line SLIGHTLY with their Aquarius Vive 100ml = 4.3g of sugar and has added Niacin and Zinc, but a 330ml can = 14.2g and a 500ml bottle = 21.5g of sugar.
Powerade 100ml = 7.5g of sugar and a 500ml bottle = 37.5g of sugar. (One 500ml bottle is over the 5% RDA by WHO).
Gatorade has different formats but 240ml = 14g of sugar and 710ml = 42g of sugar.
Lucozade Sport 500ml = 18g of sugar.
Do any of us really need this amount of sugar? I run or cycle almost everyday and I have a very low carbohydrate intake and don't have much refined sugar... if any!
Good old water is just right and leave the soft drinks loaded with sugar for rare occasions where you can't say no. But talk to your children about the damaging effects of regular consumption of these types of drinks. They will get it.
I can help you improve your health. If you would like to make an appointment with me either in person or via Skype, just send me an email to lucycarr@socialnutrition.com
No comments:
Post a Comment