Is it okay to give children over 10 energy drinks?

Question

My oldest son is 11 and likes Full Throttle energy drinks and my husband buys Pepsi Max, is it okay for my son to drink either?

Okay my son doesn't drink them that often. He may drink them once a month but I do not like energy drinks and agree with most of the answers, but sometimes my son stays up late and is tired the next day, is it okay to give him an energy drink then?

Answer 1

A slippery slope, at best. You are helping your child learn to depend on artificial means to maintain stamina, which could carry into adulthood.

Answer 2

Energy drink is a sneaky term for HIGH caffeine, which is not good for kids nor adults (in high quantities). Pepsi Max is another high caffeine drink. If you son needs energy he needs it from food and not caffeine.

Your son should be drinks water, and juices, and very little to no soda, but decaf if he does. Did you know the latest study on soda? Having more than one a day either regular or diet can increase the risk of heart attack. That soda removes calcium from the body. That if you drink a soda a day, even diet, you gain at least a pound a month or more.

Answer 3

Energy drinks ahve been known to raise heart rate and blood pressure due to their high caffiene levels, eventually increasing the odds of a heart attack. And, their high acidity is bad for the stomach.

In small quantities, these effects are negligible and many people enjoy them without a problem. As long as you regulate how much your child drinks (I would hesitate to give am 11-year-old an entire can), then you probably won't have a problem. But in general, energy drinks aren't good for anyone.

Answer 4

It seems you want to hear that it is okay to give your son energy drinks. Most of the advice you have already received seems reasonable to me. Why don't you call a nurse hot line or ask his Dr. My guess is that they will strongly urge you to stop giving high doses of caffeine to your kid. If he depends on drinks to make him feel good, it would be probable that as he gets older he will continue to rely on outside factors to 'feel good'. Not a habit I want my children to start. If he is tired all of the time it is likely he needs a more nutritious diet and more exercise. Don't sue Full Throttle when your son ends up fat. Fruits and veggies and appropriate amounts of protein will solve the sluggish morning behavior. Good luck, stay strong.

Answer 5

I would not give your 11 year old energy drinks. Even in moderation hes to young. You should wait till hes 13. Also if you want to check the caffeine on the enrgy drinks he has check out this site.www.energyfiend.com. Click on the bar that says "caffeine in drinks". The list you get has every energy drink ever invented. Hope this helps.

Answer 6

Well neither Pepsi or energy drinks are good for you. Pepsi is loaded with sugar and all sorts of chemicals that can make you gain serious weight (as w/ all sodas). And as for energy drinks...they carry a risk of addiction. I've seen many people get so addicted to energy drinks that they are unable to function w/out them.

Answer 7

No, I wouldn't think it's ever okay to allow a child that young to have an energy drinks. Most of those speed up your heart rate and it could be dangerous to his health. As far as him staying up all night - he'll just have to deal with it...he should have went to bed. It also really doesn't matter how often he drinks it, your child is too young for enery drinks.

Answer 8

No I don't think an 11 year old should drink energy drinks. I think it may cause adhd. You should cut him down on caffeinated drinks and give him more natural drinks. like juice tea. But he is 11 and he has already got the taste for it. I think it will be hard to tell him no at this point.

Answer 9

I don't suggest giving children the energy drinks as they are likely to be unable to handle themselves from the jolt of energy that these drinks produce. My son has asked for them several times and we tell him no, it isn't good to put that stuff in your body.

Answer 10

No. First of all, all the high fructose corn syrup is horrible for their teeth and the rest of their bodies.

Try one for yourself before giving it to your kids, if you must.
Personally, I'm 18 and "energy drinks" hurt me. I mean make me shake and feel uncomfortable in my own skin. It's worse than speed, really, it is.

Also they are expensive and taste like gym socks.

While caffeine is legal, it can be just as dangerous as illegal drugs. I'm no prude and have no problem with responsible drug use by informed adults and I can't blame the kid for wanting to expiriment, but it's just not safe.