More than half of Welsh children drink energy drinks, which they applaud for their sweet taste. Faced with the increased risk of obesity, scientists are sounding the alarm.
The risks are multiple and yet energy drinks are very popular with young people. In Wales, 89% of schoolchildren consume sports drinks, and half of them drink it regularly (one to seven times a week), found researchers at Cardiff University (Great Britain). .
Published in the journal British Dental Journal, the survey brought together 160 children from four schools across Wales. The researchers asked these children and their parents about their drink consumption.
The sweet taste takes precedence over the rest
The researchers observed that half of the children consumed these drinks in groups, and 90% of them confessed to being strongly attracted by their sweet taste. However, only 18% of children favored these drinks for their energy-boosting properties. It is therefore the sweet taste that takes precedence. “This type of excessive consumption leads to an increased risk of dental caries, enamel erosion or even obesity”, underlines Maria Morgan, co-author of the study. Indeed, these drinks have a high sugar content and an acidic pH. For the co-signer of the work, “dental health professionals must be aware of the popularity of these drinks, because the effects and indications of energy drinks are still too poorly understood”.
These drinks deceive
The investigation also reveals that confusion persists as to the proper definition of these drinks. Often stored on the soda shelves, these sports drinks fool kids and parents into believing the latter can be consumed by everyone. Dr Paul D. Jackson, president of FSEM in Great Britain, reminds us: “Energy drinks are intended for athletes who participate in intense sporting events. They must be consumed with precaution ”.
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