A fruity drink popular with young children is very bad for their health, according to a famous French doctor. This nutritionally useless drink contains high levels of sugar (similar to soda), which can lead to health problems such as obesity and tooth decay.
Let’s find out why this beverage should be avoided by children, and what healthier alternatives there are.
A fruity drink with a high sugar content
Sweetened beverages have long been a part of our daily lives, but excessive consumption, particularly among children, is associated with an increased risk of chronic disease. Among these sweetened beverages, one that is particularly popular with children is Capri-Sun.
The fruity drink in question contains a high amount of sugar, equivalent to that of a soda or lemonade. According to Jimmy Mohamed, M.D., Capri-sun’s packaging can be misleading, as it displays fruit and states « Multivitamin », which can give the impression that it’s a fruit juice.
Health risks for children
Children who regularly consume this sugary drink are at the same increased risk of obesity, tooth decay and other health problems as children who consume soft drinks. Sugar-sweetened beverages are often considered « empty calories », meaning that they don’t provide any essential nutrients to the body, including the nutrients children need for growth and development.
What’s more, sugary drinks can raise blood sugar and insulin levels, which can contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes and other chronic diseases in adulthood.
Healthier alternatives
It’s important to limit children’s consumption of sugary drinks and offer them healthier alternatives. Here are a few examples of healthy alternatives:
- Water: water is the healthiest drink for children and adults alike, as it contains no calories, sugar or other artificial additives.
- Milk: milk is a good source of calcium and protein, important for growth and bone development.
- Fresh fruit juices are a good source of vitamins and minerals, but it’s important not to overdo them, as they also contain sugar.
- Fruit infusions: fruit infusions can be a healthy alternative to sugary drinks, as they contain little or no sugar.