With their striking colors, they can attract our attention and that of the little ones. But energy drinks are not drinks for children, for pregnant women or for women who breastfeed. These are drinks high in caffeine that have adverse effects on these people.
But what are energy drinks? We have to stop at it because they are often confused with other drinks that are not harmful, isotonic (or "for athletes"). These are rich in salts, minerals and vitamins, so they are suitable after performing exercise, to replenish these elements.
Instead, energy drinks, which later appeared on the market, are made up of sugars and substances such as taurine and caffeine. Caffeine has diuretic effects that alter the electrolyte balance and may increase the risk of dehydration.
These drinks have effects on children and adolescents such as lower feelings of well-being, low self-esteem, depression, worse school performance, poor sleep quality, childhood obesity, high blood pressure, dental and bone problems ...
Adverse effects also occur in pregnant women since the substances reach the baby through the placenta (and affect the mother's rest) and energizing drinks are not recommended in breastfeeding, since caffeine in large quantities can pass to the baby and cause insomnia, irritability ...
With regard to children, it is widely known that they consume more juices and sugary drinks than recommended, but more children than we imagine drink energy drinks in surprising amounts: up to two liters of these drinks per month.
For all these reasons, and in accordance with the report prepared by the Scientific Advisory Committee on Food Safety, the Public Health Agency of Catalonia (ASPCAT) recommends, apart from not consuming caffeinated energy drinks simultaneously with alcohol, avoid the consumption of energy drinks in pregnant and lactating women, in children, people sensitive to caffeine, with cardiac pathologies or neurological disorders.
Of course, after performing some intense physical activity, to replenish liquids and salts, you should not consume energy drinks but water (it is the best drink for sports children) or isotonic drinks. We remember: the best is almost always water, water and more water. Natural juices and milk are also ideal for hydrating and cooling in summer and in any situation.
