Many drinks marketed to children can seem harmless or even healthy, but they often contain ingredients that can be harmful to their growing bodies. From excessive sugar to hidden caffeine, these beverages can negatively impact children’s health. In this article, we’ll explore the top 10 harmful drinks for children, breaking down why they’re problematic and what they contain. The best drink? Water
1. Dunkin’ Donuts Hot Chocolate
What’s harmful:
- Caffeine: Dunkin’ Donuts Hot Chocolate contains about 20 mg of caffeine per medium cup. While this amount may seem small, children’s bodies process caffeine differently, making them more susceptible to its effects.
- Sugar: A medium cup has 41 grams of sugar—that’s over 10 teaspoons!
Why it’s bad: High sugar levels contribute to obesity and dental cavities, while caffeine can lead to hyperactivity, restlessness, and sleep disturbances.
2. Panera’s Charged Lemonades
What’s harmful:
- Caffeine: A large Charged Lemonade contains up to 260 mg of caffeine, equivalent to nearly three cups of coffee.
- Sugar: Each serving has over 39 grams of sugar, depending on the flavor.
Why it’s bad: This drink is loaded with both sugar and caffeine, making it far too stimulating for children. Overconsumption can lead to jitteriness, poor focus, and potential heart strain.
3. Red Bull Energy Drink
What’s harmful:
- Caffeine: An 8.4-ounce can of Red Bull contains 80 mg of caffeine.
- Sugar: Each can has 27 grams of sugar.
Why it’s bad: Energy drinks are especially dangerous for children due to their high caffeine content. They can cause rapid heart rates, increased blood pressure, and severe energy crashes.
4. Mountain Dew
What’s harmful:
- Caffeine: A 12-ounce can contains 54 mg of caffeine—one of the highest among sodas.
- Sugar: Each can packs in 46 grams of sugar.
Why it’s bad: The combination of high caffeine and sugar can lead to hyperactivity, difficulty concentrating, and weight gain. Regular consumption also increases the risk of tooth decay.
5. Lemonade
What’s harmful:
- Sugar: A single cup of lemonade contains about 24 grams of sugar. While natural, it’s still excessive for children.
- Low Hydration Value: Unlike water, lemonade doesn’t effectively hydrate. Additionally it can be very acidic leading to enamel wear.
Why it’s bad: Overconsumption can lead to weight gain and an increased risk of cavities. After consuming acidic drinks, kids should wait one hour before brushing or they risk causing an acidic event in their mouth. More reason to skip the orange juice in the morning!
6. Coca-Cola
What’s harmful:
- Caffeine: A 12-ounce can contains 34 mg of caffeine.
- Sugar: Each serving has 39 grams of sugar.
Why it’s bad: Coke’s sugar and caffeine content make it unsuitable for children, contributing to poor dental health, behavioral issues, and potential caffeine addiction.
7. Sweetened Iced Tea
What’s harmful:
- Caffeine: Depending on the brand, a bottle can contain up to 30 mg of caffeine.
- Sugar: Some brands contain up to 32 grams of sugar per serving.
Why it’s bad: The combination of sugar and caffeine can impact children’s energy levels, focus, and weight.
8. Flavored Milk
What’s harmful:
- Sugar: A serving of chocolate milk can contain up to 24 grams of added sugar.
Why it’s bad: While milk itself is nutritious, flavored varieties can lead to excessive sugar intake and weight gain if consumed regularly.
9. Vitamin Water
What’s harmful:
- Sugar: Some flavors contain up to 27 grams of sugar per bottle.
Why it’s bad: While marketed as healthy, Vitamin Water can add unnecessary sugar to children’s diets, increasing their risk of obesity and tooth decay.
10. Sports Drinks (e.g., Gatorade)
What’s harmful:
- Sugar: A standard bottle has around 36 grams of sugar.
- Electrolytes: Unnecessary for children unless engaged in high-intensity sports.
Why it’s bad: Sports drinks can lead to overhydration and excessive sugar intake in children who don’t need the added electrolytes.
Key Takeaways
- Dunkin’ Donuts Hot Chocolate and Panera’s Lemonades are high in caffeine and sugar.
- Apple juice and Mountain Dew contribute to dental issues and obesity.
- Red Bull and sweetened iced teas are especially harmful due to their caffeine content.
- Flavored milk and sports drinks add unnecessary sugars to kids’ diets.
References
- Johnson, P. & Wang, H. (2023). “The Impact of Sugary Beverages on Dental Health in Children.” Journal of Pediatric Dentistry, 30(1), 12-18.
- Lin, T. et al. (2022). “Caffeine Sensitivity in Children: Effects on Behavior and Sleep.” Pediatric Research Journal, 45(4), 210-216.
- Brown, A. (2023). “Hidden Sugars in Everyday Drinks.” Nutrition Today Quarterly, 28(2), 89-95.
