I let my daughter have diluted down Torq – about 1/2 strength – at basketball practice and games (she’s 8). It’s pretty intense sport, akin to 5-a-side football and I’m more disposed to thinking that it’ll be a darn sight better for her than fruit shoots or sugary drinks that others seem to take, and give her a bit back rather than just water. Poor sod is usually totally flaked after 2 x 20 minute games as it is!
I think part of the issue is dressing these high sugar high caffeine drinks like Red Bull and Monster up as ‘Energy’ drinks. They’re worlds apart from proper sports energy drinks like Torq and SIS, and while the report I read also said
The researchers convincingly argued that sports drinks are unnecessary for children and adolescents doing average amounts of physical activity,
I’d suggest they (proper sports drinks) have usefulness during intensive activity as opposed to ‘average amounts’.