A nutritionist has warned parents about the Prime Hydration drinks that are being snapped up by kids across the UK.
The drink has been created by YouTube personalities Logan Paul and KSI, and has become a viral trend with shops selling out in minutes. Footage has been shared on social media of scrum-like scenes at supermarket checkouts as customers desperately try to get their hands on the coveted drink.
But how healthy is the new beverage? On the face of it Prime Hydration stacks up pretty well from a nutrition perspective - it contains 10% coconut water, 825g electrolytes, 250mg BCAAs for muscle recovery, vitamin B, and many antioxidants, according to its makers.
However, Duane Mellor, a registered dietitian and senior teaching fellow at Aston Medical School, warned that electrolytes aren't recommended for children unless they are unwell or at risk of dehydration.
"There is no obvious reason why this sports drink should be recommended to children," Mr Mellor told Birmingham Live. "Supplementation without a clear health reason is not recommended in children."
The dietitian added: "One drink will not improve a diet, and if it's expensive at a time when budgets are limited it could limit money spent on vegetables, fruit and other healthier foods." Fellow nutrition expert Judy More says that parents would be better off giving their children milk.
“There’s nothing special about Prime,” she warned recently. Judy spoke out after the scenes of hordes of shoppers scrambling for a bottle of Prime in their local Aldi, Asda or Spar store.
There have also been reports of the drink being sold at Costco stores - with KSI slamming some retailers who have upped the price to re-sell the drink, like Wakey Wakey Wines, in Wakefield, which has become something of an internet sensation with its hiked-up prices. “All drinks are hydrating but in my view, you’d be better off giving children milk,” Judy added.
For more stories from where you live, visit InYourArea.
