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Health eKids Newsletter October 2004 Arkansas Children’s Hospital’s Pediatricians Advise Children to Drop the Pop Many children and teenagers see that 2 liter plastic bottle of cola in the fridge as a sugary-sweet, liquid temptation. It’s no secret that our children are drinking too much soda, but how is it really affecting their health? Pediatricians at Arkansas Children’s Hospital (ACH) caution that an unhealthy amount of soft drinks can lead to an unhealthy child or teen. A common place for parents to discover their child has been drinking too much pop is in the dentist’s office. Sodas contain a lot of sugar, acid and carbonation. When these three mix in your mouth, they make your saliva acidic and that accumulates on your teeth. The acid then eats away at your teeth and allows bacteria in, which leads to cavities. “Children and adults should diminish the intake of sodas and increase the intake of water and natural juices,” says James Koonce, DDS, MSD, director of Dental Services at ACH. “Sodas often take the place of fruit juices and water in children's diets and that’s unhealthy for anyone.” Hot weather, outdoor play, and soft drinks are not a good combination. With football, marching band, cross country, and many other outdoor activities starting up, parents should pay close attention to the amount of soda their children are consuming. Soft drinks contain no nutritional value except for the 150 calories of refined sugar in a single can, which could lead to dehydration. “It’s important for teens to understand how certain foods and beverages affect their systems and how they can take charge of their developmental process,” says Brian Hardin, M.D., director of the Adolescent Center at Arkansas Children’s Hospital and associate professor of Pediatrics at UAMS. “When your body tells you it’s thirsty and you feed it 150 calories it confuses your system. Your body says I’m thirsty, and you give it a small meal.” Hardin says once a child or teen understands how to be healthy, he then gives them advice on healthier options. “Natural juice, milk, some sports drinks quench thirst and provide nutritional value, but the best thing to drink is lots of water,” says Hardin. So how much soda is too much? Koonce suggests one can or less per day is reasonable, but both doctors agree that “none” is the healthiest choice. Parents should be sure to make children brush their teeth after drinking sodas, and after meals for that matter. Encouraging your child or teen to take responsibility for healthier living; providing facts about soft drinks and alternative beverages; and setting an example by limiting sodas for all family members are the best ways to focus on good teeth and good health. 
Arkansas Children's Hospital, 1 Children’s Way, Little Rock, AR 72202-3591, (501) 364-1100 or TDD (501) 364-1184
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