Drinking more water is better than sports drink

Researchers warn that energy beverages can elevate blood pressure and cause cardiac problems in children and teenagers

Drinking water may be better for young athletes than consuming sports drinks, according to scientists who warn that energy beverages can elevate blood pressure and cause cardiac problems in children and teenagers. Many people associate playing sports with having sports drinks as it is what they see professionals do.

However, most recreational athletes do not play at intensity or for a duration that would require their hydration to come with extra sugar and salt. “Sports drinks can replenish some of what you lost during exercise, but you really need to be exercising for more than 45 minutes to an hour before you would consider that,” said Matthew Silvis, from Pennsylvania State University in the US.

“Kids and adolescents really should not be using these drinks. Water is the best method of hydration,” said Katie Gloyer from Penn State. Young people who sip on sports drinks as a regular drink without physical activity also run the risk of weight gain and tooth decay from the added sugar. Then there are energy drinks, which some professional athletes use to boost performance and gain a competitive edge by providing them with caffeine and other stimulants to increase focus and prolong their attention span.

However, Gloyer does not even recommend those to the adult, professional athletes. For children and adolescents, energy drinks can be downright dangerous.