Sports drinks and energy beverages

While companies promote sport drinks and energy drinks as ways to boost energy and athletic performance, most people don't need these drinks. They may also contain significant amounts of stimulants like caffeine, added sugar, and artificial colors.

While some athletes do require sports drinks to replace lost nutrients after intense exercise, the majority of people who engage in moderate exercise or just regular daily activity do not require them to stay hydrated. Some sports drinks have a surprisingly high sugar content that exceeds the Daily Value (DV) for added sugar. These drinks are successfully marketed to children and teenagers, which is concerning given that studies have connected drinking sweetened beverages to health problems in children and teenagers, such as high blood pressure, fatty livers, and obesity.