Gaming culture and energy drinks often go together in advertising. For young players, though, the advice from paediatricians is clear.
What the experts say
The American Academy of Pediatrics has said that energy drinks, which contain stimulants like caffeine, have no place in the diets of children and adolescents. Caffeine can affect sleep, raise heart rate and make some young people jittery or anxious, and many energy drinks are also high in sugar.
What keeps focus up instead
Water first. Keep a bottle next to the setup and sip through the session; even mild dehydration can make concentration harder.
Regular meals. Long sessions on an empty stomach lead to crashes.
Simple snacks. Fruit, yoghurt, or nuts if there are no allergies.
Movement breaks. Standing up and moving wakes the body better than a can.
Sleep. The real energy source; see our piece on sleep and gaming.
Make it a team habit
Teams and squads copy each other. When the group brings water bottles and takes breaks together, it becomes normal. At Ascend, only water is allowed at the gaming stations, and our coaches talk about fuel and hydration as part of performance.
There is no magic number, but there are clear guidelines on activity, sleep and balance. Here is what the WHO and paediatric experts recommend, in plain…
