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Energy drinks on ice?
Hockey Nova Scotia eyes regulating use
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Parents and medical officials in Nova Scotia are concerned about kids getting wired before they hit the ice.
The governing body of the Nova Scotia minor hockey association is leading a charge to regulate the use of energy drinks by young players.
"People are seeing nine- and 10-year-olds drinking these before hockey games," said Darren Cossar, executive director of Hockey Nova Scotia. "We made some calls to get the science behind these energy drinks. The more we learned, the more concerned we became."
Energy drinks are sold in flashy cans and some contain as much caffeine as five cans of cola. Popular with teenagers, the caffeinated drinks are sold at concession stands in some arenas.
"People don't understand the difference between a sport drink and an energy drink," said Cossar. "There's really not a need for an energy drink for a 10-year-old prior to a hockey game. Proper nutrition and proper hydration is the best thing."
Cossar has partnered with local addiction and treatment centres, the professional association of doctors in Nova Scotia and the provincial government to study the science behind energy drinks and develop education strategies for parents and players.
Hockey Nova Scotia plans to have a formal policy in place by mid-May, before the puck drops on the next minor hockey season.
"These kids and energy drinks, I think it's a recipe for disaster," said Jim Thomson, a former NHL player who now coaches junior hockey. "They're young kids with all the energy in the world. If they're getting their proper rest and a proper diet, what the heck do you need a Red Bull for?"
Hockey Canada staffer Todd Jackson said the national organization is examining the Nova Scotia association's efforts for evidence of a better policy for nutrition education.
Last fall, Health Canada decided to start regulating energy drinks as a food product and to cap the amount of caffeine they can contain.
-- Postmedia News
Caffeine comparison:
Can of cola (355 ml) 45 mg
Tea (237 ml) 50 mg
Tall cup of Starbucks
coffee (237 ml) 260 mg
Monster Energy (473 ml)166.2 mg
Red Bull (250 ml) 80 mg
AMP Energy (473 ml) 158 mg
-- source: Health Canada
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition February 22, 2012 A2
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