(NaturalPath) According to a study out of Cardiff University and published in British Dental Journal, a high proportion of 12-14 year olds are regularly consuming sports drinks socially, increasing their risk of obesity and tooth erosion. The study was conducted in four schools across South Wales with a sample size of 160 children.
Half of the children surveyed claimed to drink sports drinks socially and most (80 percent) purchased them in local shops. Additionally, the 90 percent also claimed that taste was a factor and only 18 percent claimed to drink them because of the perceived performance enhancing effects.
One of the researchers said, “The purpose of sports drinks are being misunderstood and this study clearly shows evidence of high school age children being attracted to these high sugar and low pH level drinks, leading to an increased risk of dental cavities, enamel erosion and obesity. Dental health professionals should be aware of the popularity of sports drinks with children when giving health education or advice or designing health promotion initiatives.”
Another researcher says that, “The proportion of children in this study who consume high carbohydrate drinks, which are designed for sport, in recreational non-sporting context is of concern.
Razi Berry, Founder and Publisher of Naturopathic Doctor News & Review (ndnr.com) and NaturalPath (thenatpath.com), has spent the last decade as a natural medicine advocate and marketing whiz. She has galvanized and supported the naturopathic community, bringing a higher quality of healthcare to millions of North Americans through her publications. A self-proclaimed health-food junkie and mother of two; she loves all things nature, is obsessed with organic gardening, growing fruit trees (not easy in Phoenix), laughing until she snorts, and homeschooling. She is a little bit crunchy and yes, that is her real name.