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Originally Posted by Kizzy
Excellent idea, these 'energy' drinks are just full of sugar, caffeine and other assorted nasties. I honestly think they are very dangerous but parents don't realise how much as it's only 'pop'.
Lucozade is another bad one, used to be with the medcines a few years ago... now it's marketed as a sports drink  |
There's a popular perception that lucozade is good when you're ill because it's a quick source of glucose when you're finding it hard to stomach other foods... However, the high sugar content actually suppresses the immune system and keeps you ill for longer. True story! As for drinking it when healthy... well, basically you're never going to burn off that much glucose so it's basically guaranteed to turn to fat.
I'd say the only "good" time to drink the stuff is if you're finding it impossible to keep real food down with a vomiting / diarrhea bug, and you're feeling desperately dehydrated and low on energy (pounding headaches, etc.)
That said - the absolute worst of the bunch is high-fructose corn syrup, which isn't widely used in UK foods, but US junk food is full of the stuff.
Another interesting fact: a country's rate of antibiotic use is directly proportionate with its levels of refined sugar consumption. That alone is a soft statistical indicator that it's an immunity buster.