--- title: "Energy drinks and young gamers: what to choose instead" url: https://ascendesport.ae/energy-drinks-and-teen-gamers/ description: "Energy drinks are heavily marketed to gamers. Why paediatricians advise against them for children and teens, and what actually keeps focus up." last_modified: 2026-11-09T17:07:03+04:00 site: "Ascend Esports" summary_for_agents: https://ascendesport.ae/llms.txt ---[Healthy Gaming](https://ascendesport.ae/category/healthy-gaming/)# Energy drinks and young gamers: what to choose insteadEnergy drinks are heavily marketed to gamers. Why paediatricians advise against them for children and teens, and what actually keeps focus up.![](https://ascendesport.ae/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/hammer.png) **Ascend Esports team** 23 June 2026 · 2 min readShare [WhatsApp](https://wa.me/?text=Energy%20drinks%20and%20young%20gamers%3A%20what%20to%20choose%20instead%20https%3A%2F%2Fascendesport.ae%2Fenergy-drinks-and-teen-gamers%2F) [X](https://x.com/intent/post?text=Energy%20drinks%20and%20young%20gamers%3A%20what%20to%20choose%20instead&url=https%3A%2F%2Fascendesport.ae%2Fenergy-drinks-and-teen-gamers%2F) [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fascendesport.ae%2Fenergy-drinks-and-teen-gamers%2F) [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fascendesport.ae%2Fenergy-drinks-and-teen-gamers%2F)![Colourful reusable water bottles](https://ascendesport.ae/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/energy-drinks-and-teen-gamers.jpg)Colourful reusable water bottlesGaming culture and energy drinks often go together in advertising. For young players, though, the advice from paediatricians is clear.## What the experts sayThe 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](https://ascendesport.ae/sleep-and-gaming/).## Make it a team habitTeams 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.## Sources- [Sports drinks and energy drinks for children and adolescents: are they appropriate? American Academy of Pediatrics, Pediatrics (2011)](https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/127/6/1182/30142/Sports-Drinks-and-Energy-Drinks-for-Children-and)![](https://ascendesport.ae/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/hammer.png)Written by the Ascend Esports teamCoaches, game builders and wellness specialists at Ascend Esports, the esports division of Ascend Innovations in Mirdif, Dubai. Questions about this article? [Ask Ascenzo](https://ascendesport.ae/energy-drinks-and-teen-gamers/#chat).Share [WhatsApp](https://wa.me/?text=Energy%20drinks%20and%20young%20gamers%3A%20what%20to%20choose%20instead%20https%3A%2F%2Fascendesport.ae%2Fenergy-drinks-and-teen-gamers%2F) [X](https://x.com/intent/post?text=Energy%20drinks%20and%20young%20gamers%3A%20what%20to%20choose%20instead&url=https%3A%2F%2Fascendesport.ae%2Fenergy-drinks-and-teen-gamers%2F) [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fascendesport.ae%2Fenergy-drinks-and-teen-gamers%2F) [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fascendesport.ae%2Fenergy-drinks-and-teen-gamers%2F)## Keep reading[All insights](https://ascendesport.ae/insights/)[Healthy Gaming](https://ascendesport.ae/category/healthy-gaming/)### [Sleep is the ultimate power-up: why late-night gaming costs more than it looks](https://ascendesport.ae/sleep-and-gaming/)Reaction time, memory and mood all depend on sleep. How much young players need, and five habits that protect it without banning games.22 Sep 2026 · 2 min read[Healthy Gaming](https://ascendesport.ae/category/healthy-gaming/)### [How much screen time is healthy? What the guidelines actually say](https://ascendesport.ae/healthy-screen-time-for-kids/)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…8 Sep 2026 · 2 min read[Healthy Gaming](https://ascendesport.ae/category/healthy-gaming/)### [Five-minute reset: posture and stretches every gamer should know](https://ascendesport.ae/stretches-and-posture-for-gamers/)Sitting still for long periods is hard on growing bodies. A quick posture check and five stretches you can do between matches.4 Aug 2026 · 2 min read## Ready to build your child's future?A free trial session, on-site in Mirdif or online. 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