Local dietitian weighs-in on whether Prime is good or not for children

POLOKWANE – Prime Hydration and Prime Energy drinks, which have been made famous by Youtube sensations Logan Paul and KSI, have been making waves across the country and has gained popularity among kids.

These drinks have sparked conversation around their suitability for consumption by children.

The Polokwane Review spoke to the senior consulting dietitian at Dietitians24 in Polokwane, Kulani Mtileni about whether the drink is suitable for children and why hydration drinks are only meant for consumption after physical activity.

Mtileni said according to Prime Hydration’s nutrition content and ingredients, it contains coconut water, vitamin B, sweeteners and branch chain amino acids, an additive that body builders use to build muscles.

“For nutrition labelling (information) and disclaimer, the drink is not suitable for children under the age of 15, pregnant or breastfeeding women and for individuals who are sensitive to caffeine,” he explained.

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Mtileni explained that the only difference between the Prime Hydration and Prime Energy is the energy and caffeine content and they are used interchangeably as sport drinks or hydration drinks because they contain electrolytes and they are flavoured in different forms.

“The most notable feature, however, is the high level of caffeine,” he said.

He further explained that these drinks also contain sweeteners, sucralose and acelsulfame which are indigestible carbohydrates and when they get into your digestive system, the body does not have the enzymes to break them down.

“The other thing is that it is highly caffeinated and normally, food labelling has a limit or restriction on how much caffeine can be added to drinks. For example, a drink can have 32mg per 100ml of caffeine and Prime drinks contain almost double the legal limit. We know consumption of highly caffeinated drinks has a range of physiological and cognitive effects, including insomnia, increased breathing, and heart rate as well as restlessness. For a young child developing a cognitive function, these drinks are not a wise idea,” he said.

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Mitileni added that the general population has a belief that when it comes to sport nutrition, we tend to think it needs to be in a supplemental form but it is very important to have a food-first policy.

“The other important issue is sport drinks like Prime offer very little benefit for people who are not participating in endurance sport and should not be encouraged for individuals who are not doing a lot of physical exercise,” he said.

He cautioned parents against buying their children super caffeinated energy drinks and adopt a healthy eating pattern for their children.