Boost your energy without energy drinks

The next best thing after aerated drinks, according to today’s teenagers, is energy drinks. While the youth today take aid of sports drinks to boost energy levels, doctors and paediatricians from Bangalore say a strict no to these.

A recent report, published in the journal Paediatrics, by the American Academy of Paediatrics Committee, advised teens to forgo energy drinks.

Many teens drink sports drinks in the lunch room. But these beverages are technically designed to give the body a carbohydrate and electrolyte boost, which is great for athletes after a grueling practice or a workout session. Water, not sports drinks, should be the major source of hydration for adolescents, the report said.

“Most energy drinks that are available in the market today contain caffeine, the same drug that is present in coffee and tea, but in higher doses. They also contain taurine, an amino acid that is a building block of proteins, sugar, plant extracts like ginseng, and carbohydrates. While it is safe if taken in small amounts, the effects of these in the long run have been questioned,” said Jyothi Prasad, chief dietician, Manipal Hospital.

“Energy drinks have various side-effects,” warned experts. “High amount of caffeine causes nervous irritability, sleeplessness, and gastro intestinal problems. At times, it also increases the heart rate and may cause dizziness, nausea, and vomiting,” said Prasad.

Also, the excessive sugar present in these drinks not only adds to the calorie counts, but also acts as a laxative.

Children with anxiety who drink too much caffeine become more anxious, and many youngsters are already taking drugs for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, most of which are stimulants, said the report by American Academy of Paediatrics Committee.

Dr Kishore Kumar, managing director and chairman, CloudNine, said the caffeine content present in the energy drinks can make a normal child restless and anxious.

“A malnourished or an under-nourished may be benefited by consuming energy drinks. But a normal Indian child does not need energy drink unless he/she is actively involved in sports,” he said.

“Although there is no documental evidence, there is enough suspicion that the high sugar content in these energy drinks may trigger diabetes, said Dr Kumar.

“India being the diabetic capital of the world, energy drinks should definitely not be encouraged,” he added.

Moreover, most energy drinks are known to have high protein and creatinine levels. “Too much consumption of this may overload the kidney and lead to kidney damage or failure,” said Dr Preethi Galagali, consultant paediatrician, Chord Road Hospital and member of Indian Academy of Pediatrics.

“Some energy drinks also contain steroids, and consumption of these can lead to aggressiveness, hypertension, and liver damage. It can even stunt growth,” she added.