No ‘Health Halo’ for Sports Drinks
Auckland Regional Public Health Service (ARPHS) is opposing proposed changes to food regulations that would see sports
drinks marketed as healthy.
The Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is consulting on proposals that electrolyte drinks (EDs) be allowed to
carry health claims about hydration and replenishment of carbohydrates and electrolytes after sustained exercise.
ARPHS Medical Officer of Health Dr Michael Hale said the service has made a submission to FSANZ warning there will be
more negative health outcomes for the population if EDs are promoted as a ‘healthier’ alternative.
The consumption of sports drinks is increasing amongst children and adolescents in New Zealand, where they are available
in dairies, supermarkets, schools and vending machines. The sugar content is contributing to the region’s high numbers
of overweight and obese people, including a third of all children, and to high rates of children’s hospital admissions
for tooth decay.
“While most people were aware that fizzy drinks were bad for your health, many do not realise that the drinks contained
similar amounts of sugar to soft drink – around 15 teaspoons per bottle,” said Dr Hale.
“Children and adolescents are drinking them every week, and yet very few would be exercising strenuously for longer than
90 minutes at the same time, where any benefit might be shown,” he said.
For most adults and children undertaking regular exercise, water is the best form of fluid replacement. An average
healthy diet provides all the electrolytes needed, including those required from a standard sports game or training.
“Marketers are trying to promote these drinks by giving them a ’health halo’, said Dr Hale. Research shows that when
marketers make a claim their product is healthy, consumers do not look at the overall healthiness of the food and in
this case, underestimate the calorie intake and the high sugar and sodium content.
Dr Hale said that adolescents are already taken in by the supposed ‘health benefits’ of EDs. ”Liberalising the FSANZ
standards so sports drinks can advertise a health claim poses a serious public health risk, given our rising obesity
epidemic.”
ENDS