Anxiety, hypertension, elevated heart rates, interrupted
sleep patterns and headaches are just some of the side effects commonly
associated with energy drinks, and those problems are more pronounced in
children, according to a recent University of Miami study.
But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. These drinks have
also been linked to heart palpitations, strokes and sudden death.
The term “energy” drink is an unfortunate misnomer, says
food science expert Budge Collinson. They don’t give your body energy; they
stimulate you with brief jolts of caffeine and unregulated herbal stimulants,
he says.
“Soccer moms and dads buy these ‘stimulant’ drinks for
their kids before matches because both kids and parents want that competitive
advantage,” says Collinson, founder of Infusion Sciences and creator of Youth Infusion, an effervescent, natural multivitamin beverage that helps people maintain
consistent and healthy higher energy levels.
“For a few moments, you’ll get that spike, but it’s a
short-term experience with a heavy long-term toll.”
So, what are some ways kids can get a healthy energy
boost? Collinson offers the following tips.
Go for a speedy bike ride together, take a
brisk walk or hold foot-races in the yard
Numerous studies demonstrate the
power of vigorous exercise in boosting energy. Exercise pumps more oxygen —
pure, healthy fuel — into the bloodstream and to the brain and muscles for a
short-term energy boost. Exercising regularly will increase lung capacity, so
the body will gets more oxygen on a sustained level for the long term. Exercise
also releases endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemical, which makes us
feel happy. And happy people are energized people.
Seek nutrition from a variety of sources
As humans, we need more than 40 different vitamins and minerals to keep our
bodies functioning optimally. Since there is no single food that contains them
all, it is important for children and adults to eat a variety, including as
many different vegetables and fruits as possible. Adding a daily multivitamin supplement
with essentials such as CoQ10, arginine, theanine, resveratrol and magnesium
can help ensure bodies young and old are running at top speed.
Drink plenty of water — the natural energy
drink
Even mild dehydration can leave children (and adults) feeling
listless, so encourage children to make a habit of drinking plenty of water.
Kids need more water than adults because they expend more energy, and they may
not recognize when they’re slightly thirsty. Parents, too, often don’t
recognize the signs of dehydration; a national survey of more than 800 parents
of kids ages of one month to 10 years found that more than half feel they don’t
know enough about dehydration. A quick, light pinch of the skin on the child’s
hand or arm is an easy check. If the skin is slow to resume a smooth
appearance, the child is likely at least mildly dehydrated.
Budge Collinson was the beneficiary of his mother’s
natural health formula as a sick baby, which led to a deep interest in health
and wellness at a young age. After years of research and seeing the growing
demand for natural products with clinical support, he founded Infusion Sciences.
Collinson earned a bachelor’s degree in food and resource economics from the
University of Florida and certification from the National Academy of Sports
Medicine. Recently, he became a member of the American Academy of Anti-Aging
Medicine and consistently attends the Natural Products Expo, where he learns
the latest science and news about nutritious ingredients.