Spilling the Beans: How Much Caffeine is Too Much?. Food and Drug Administration. Accessed 9/22/2023. Prime Energy drinks include a label indicating that they’re not recommended for individuals under 18 years of age, those with caffeine sensitivity and women who are pregnant or nursing. This practice aligns with the American Beverage Association’s (ABA) labeling guidelines for caffeinated beverages. Prime Hydration Ingredients While the FDA doesn’t regulate energy drinks, it does note a caffeine limit of 71 milligrams per 12-ounce serving for sodas, according to Harvard Health, which notes many energy drink manufacturers can get around this threshold by classifying their product as a supplement. A primary concern with Prime Energy is its caffeine content, which is especially significant for parents to consider, says Malone. Although Prime Energy labeling indicates the beverage is for those 18 and older, she observes that Prime “heavily markets toward young people who may not realize there’s a difference between Prime Energy and Prime Hydration.” Some smaller corner shops are selling it well over its recommended retail price, and parents are complaining about how hard it is to get hold of the beverage. The YouTubers have a relatively young fan base, and many youngsters have been desperate to get their hands on the product.

The doctor added that Prime is made from coconut water, which is "full of electrolytes (sodium and potassium)" but "again, children obtain plenty of these from their diet. They do not need any extra from an energy drink. What they need during the day is plenty of good old-fashioned, water." A doctor has now issued a warning to parents about the drink's high caffeine content. Prime energy contains a whopping 200mg of caffeine, compared to 86.4mg in a can of Monster Energy. The Prime energy drink, which was launched by English YouTuber KSI and American YouTuber Logan Paul last year, is set to arrive in the UK soon - and a warning to parents has already been issued. Dr Lee also notes that there is added zinc, and said: "Most children do not need zinc supplements – it is readily obtained from the diet. This can cause symptoms too, such as vomiting, diarrhoea and headaches." It encourages them to want sweet drinks, when plain water is the answer and helps them develop a sweet tooth which is not good for the future in terms of a healthy diet and controlling their weight."

Why is Prime drink so popular?

Although it's not easy to find all the ingredients online, Dr Lee also notes that there are other things to consider when deciding whether to buy your children a Prime drink. The Prime drink, which was launched by English YouTuber KSI and American YouTuber Logan Paul last year, has become popular and has been flying off the shelves. There are two products for sale – Prime hydration and Prime energy. Dr Deborah Lee, from Dr Fox Online Pharmacy, told The Mirror: "I would not recommend children drink Prime energy drinks or other energy drinks for children of any age.

Indeed, the marketing of energy drinks in general typically employs strategies aimed at adolescents, notes Harvard Health. Energy drinks are the second most widely consumed dietary supplement among American teenagers and young adults, following multivitamins, according to the National Institutes of Health [1] Energy Drinks. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Accessed 9/22/2023. . To determine whether Prime drinks are right for you, it’s important to factor in your health conditions, including whether you’re pregnant or nursing, your diet, any supplements you might be using, physical activity and sleep quality, advises Zenker. Prime Energy contains 200 milligrams of caffeine in its 12-ounce serving cans. The FDA specifies an intake of 400 milligrams of caffeine a day in healthy adults is generally considered safe and not linked to adverse effects such as insomnia, jitters and fast heart rate. As for caffeine and children, the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that children under the age of 12 years not consume any caffeine and recommend that children ages 12 to 18 years not exceed 100 milligrams of caffeine per day [2] Parenting in ‘caffeine nation’. CentraCare. Accessed 10/12/2023. [3] Caffeine and Children. American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. Accessed 10/12/2023. . The brand, which comes in ‘hydration’ and ‘energy’ forms is ubiquitously available and was launched as a social media, influencer-type product that has the undivided attention of children under the age of eighteen,” writes Sen. Schumer in his letter. “These same children are also the target market for Prime. Many physicians have serious concern for Prime, and I write to specifically urge your agency to investigate Prime for its claims, marketing and caffeine content.”Electrolyte replenishment is important after strenuous exercise, emphasizes Lindsay Malone, a private practice registered dietitian and instructor at Case Western Reserve University in Ohio. Interestingly, Prime Hydration provides less sodium (10 milligrams)—an electrolyte that maintains fluid balance—in comparison to other sports drinks, notes Zenker. While the coconut water base offers potassium, which can contribute to sweat replenishment, Prime is missing the mark on the electrolyte we lose the most through sweat—sodium, says Dana White, a registered dietitian nutritionist and certified athletic trainer in Connecticut. However, from April they are set to be more widely available in the UK, and a doctor has issued a warning to parents about children about the drink's high caffeine content. Prime energy contains a whopping 200mg of caffeine, compared to 86.4mg in a can of Monster Energy. Social media influencers Logan Paul and KSI meet fans during a Prime promotional event in Copenhagen, Denmark, on June 27.(Ritzau Scanpix/Ida Marie Odgaard/Reuters ) Although it's not easy to find all the ingredients online, Dr Lee also notes that there are other things to consider when deciding whether to buy your children a Prime drink. She said: "Dipotassium phosphate is an artificial flavour enhancer and preservative which is said to be safe for consumption but can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, headaches and constipation."

She said: "Dipotassium phosphate is an artificial flavour enhancer and preservative which is said to be safe for consumption but can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, headaches and constipation."

Is Prime an energy drink?

Dr Deborah Lee, from Dr Fox Online Pharmacy, told The Mirror: "I would not recommend children drink Prime energy drinks or other energy drinks for children of any age. Children don't need energy drinks anyway – they have plenty of energy! UFC announces global marketing partnership with Logan Paul and KSI for their Prime Beverage Brand. UFC. Accessed 9/22/2023. Artificial sweeteners are calorie-free— however, they aren’t well-studied in children and typically taste sweeter than sugar, promoting a sweet preference, according to Zenker. While artificial sweeteners are generally considered safe, there’s still much research needed, especially regarding their long-term effects, she adds. Prime Energy Ingredients Prime Hydration is formulated more like a sports drink as it contains electrolytes and vitamins, says Avery Zenker, a Canadian-based registered dietitian at EverFlex Fitness, a personal training program. Prime Energy is more of an energy drink, primarily due to its substantial caffeine content, recognized as a stimulant, she adds. The energy version of Prime isn't officially sold in major supermarkets in the UK yet, but some smaller corner shops have been selling them. However, from April they are set to be more widely available in the UK, reports The Mirror.