Are Health Drinks Really Healthy for Children?
The Indian government has directed e-commerce companies not to sell beverages such as Bornvita under the health drinks category. This advisory issued by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry refers to the standards set by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and Mondelez India Food Private Limited.
According to the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), these drinks do not meet the specified standards. Similar complaints have been received in the past regarding health risks associated with several so-called health drinks, including Bornvita, for children.
Apart from children’s health drinks, there are numerous protein drinks, energy drinks, and protein powders being sold in the market, claiming to be healthy. However, these products pose significant risks to health.
The protein powder market in India is worth approximately 33 thousand crores. However, according to an analysis published in the health journal Medicine, most of the protein powders sold in India mislead consumers. The nutritional information on their labels is often incorrect, and they may contain harmful toxins and pesticides, posing a risk of life-threatening diseases.
Today in ‘Health Alert,’ we will discuss these health drinks and protein powders. We will also learn:
How these health drinks are harming children’s health?
Whether protein powder is actually meeting the body’s protein needs?
How to prepare healthy protein drinks at home?
Deceptive marketing of these drinks
Many health drinks are being sold in the market, claiming to improve children’s health and growth. Advertisements show that children are growing taller by consuming these drinks.
Dr. Anu, a senior nutritionist from Delhi, says this is all a myth, a lie.
All these health drinks are prepared through lengthy processing. During this process, their ingredients lose their effectiveness.
The malt extract used in these drinks has a lifespan of only 15-20 days. However, the shelf life of these health drinks is up to a year.
These nutrients are light, color, and heat-sensitive. Therefore, their effectiveness starts decreasing from the first day itself.
After opening the packaging, they become harmful when exposed to oxygen and moist air.
These drinks are making children overweight and diabetic.
These drinks are sweetened with refined sugar, which is rapidly absorbed into the blood. This disrupts children’s metabolic systems, leading to high insulin and blood sugar levels. Experts believe that these health drinks, cold drinks, and highly processed foods are responsible for the increasing cases of type-2 diabetes and obesity in young children.
Children are becoming addicted to flavors
Dr. Anu explains that cocoa powder and artificial vanilla flavors are added to make these drinks tasty. They help release happiness hormones in children. Therefore, children feel soothed, happy after consuming them.
This is why children want to drink them repeatedly. They often start consuming more amounts or even eat dry powder.
Children start skipping healthy meals because of them. This habit can push them towards multiple diseases simultaneously.
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Dangerous Spirulina is added
Spirulina is a type of algae added to these drink powders sold in the market. It is being sold in the market by counting the many health benefits of health. In its original form, it is healthy. It is a rich source of protein. However, as much processing, experimenting, and preservatives are used to make protein powder, not only its nutrition is completely lost, but it also becomes dangerous for health
Q&A
Q: Why has the Indian government issued directives regarding the sale of certain beverages?
A: The Indian government has issued directives to e-commerce companies regarding the sale of beverages like Bornvita under the health drinks category due to concerns about their adherence to food safety standards and potential health risks, especially for children.
Q: What prompted the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) to raise concerns about these beverages?
A: The NCPCR raised concerns about these beverages after finding that they do not meet the standards set by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and Mondelez India Food Private Limited. Complaints about health risks associated with these beverages, including Bornvita, have been received in the past.
Q: What risks do these health drinks and protein powders pose to consumers?
A: These health drinks and protein powders pose significant risks to consumers, especially children. They may contain incorrect nutritional information, harmful toxins, and pesticides. Consuming them can lead to health issues such as obesity, diabetes, and other life-threatening diseases.
Q: How can consumers ensure the safety of the beverages they consume?
A: Consumers can ensure the safety of the beverages they consume by checking the nutritional information, ingredients, and certification labels provided on the packaging. They can also opt for homemade alternatives to processed health drinks and protein powders to avoid potential health risks.
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Q: What are the potential consequences of consuming these beverages for children?
A: Consuming these beverages can lead to adverse health effects for children, including overnutrition, obesity, high blood sugar levels, and an increased risk of type-2 diabetes. Additionally, the addictive flavors and additives in these beverages may disrupt children’s eating habits and nutritional intake, leading to long-term health problems.
