Dentist - Cincinnati
9608 Kenwood Road
Cincinnati, OH 45242
513-791-2009
513-791-5007 fax
It is impossible to miss the huge number of Sports and Energy Drinks marketed to increase sports performance as well as boost overall energy levels and attention. There are many brands inclusing Gatorade, G2, Powerade, Powerade Zero, All Sport, Rockstar, NOS, Monster, Red Bull and Full Throttle just to name a few!
These drinks do have some short term boosting effect from a combination of sugar, caffeine and assorted supplements but it is short -term and in general a very poor nutrtional choice. The sports drinks do contain electrolytes which can help replenish lost fluids from sports and dehydration. The other issue is the acidic PH of many of these choices. We have seen a large increase in cavities in young people who have constant exposure to both the sugar levels and the acidity. The low or sugar -free options are certainly a better choice but too much exposure to the acid can cause just as many problems.
In summary, the many choices of drinks will continue to grow. Choose the low or no-sugar versions and watch the amount of caffeine. Also, keep the time of exposure as low as possible. The biggest problems we see is with those that drink several a day and drink them slowly as this increases the time that the sugar and acid levels can damage the teeth.