How Sweet is it?
During those hot summer days kids will grab the first drink they see to stay cool and hydrated. Most of the time they'll end up picking up the most sugary item to quench their thirst, such as drinks like Gatorade and Capri Sun. However, consuming too many of these different kinds of beverages can be harmful to children's teeth and overall health. This is why it is advised by many different practices to limit the number of sports drinks and other sugary beverages you or your child consumes, in hopes that this will help prevent cavities.
A study from the Harvard School of Public Health found that some of the leading energy drinks and cola brands contain up to 42 grams of sugar in just 12 ounces of beverage, while the leading sport drinks contained anywhere up to 21 grams of sugar. That being said, some of the leading energy and sports drinks have the greatest likelihood of causing potential erosion on the roots and enamel of teeth
One simple solution to make sure you don't get cavities because of these sugary drinks is to limit how many fluid ounces you consume each day. For instance, instead of drinking your normal amount of 32 ounces of Gatorade a day, cut that down to 12 ounces and drink more water as an alternative. Drinking more water is encouraged because it's a great option for staying hydrated, both while doing physical activity or for whenever you just feel thirsty.
The following graph provides data showing the calories and number of teaspoons of sugar in various beverages. The 'red' spoons are drinks that you should drink every once in a while (infrequently). The 'yellow' spoons are options that you can drink more of, but it is still advised to not drink too much of that specific drink. Lastly, the 'green' spoons are beverages that are your best and most healthy option.
"The Nutrition Source." Hsph.Harvard.edu. The President and Fellows of Harvard College. N.d. Web. 01 Feb. 2016.
Wow! I was always told to drink a Gatorade after practice to refuel. Never even thought about the sugar content! Great post!
ReplyDeleteI'm not saying to not drink sports drinks, but cut down on them at least. All that sugar really does add up!
ReplyDelete