The Union Commerce and Industry Ministry recently asked all e-commerce companies to remove these drinks from their platforms, saying there was no such thing as health drinks. Then what are they? In conversation with Dr Joseph A Pattani, paediatrics and neo-natology specialist in Mitera Hospital, Kottayam, for Onmanorama's News Brake.
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[00:00:00] Who doesn't love the energetic, happy, tall and radiant children and their happy moms in advertisements for health drinks?
[00:00:09] By purchasing these products, parents hope that their children too will get the nutrients promised in the commercials.
[00:00:17] However, the Union Commerce and Industry Ministry recently asked all e-commerce companies to remove these drinks from their platforms
[00:00:26] saying there was no such thing as health drinks. Then what are they?
[00:00:56] Hello, Doctor, Welcome to Newsbreak.
[00:01:07] Thank you, Deepa.
[00:01:08] As you are aware, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights after a recent inquiry concluded that there is no classification as a health drink under the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006.
[00:01:22] Why does the government say drinks like bonvita are not health drinks? Then what are they?
[00:01:28] My distinction, any drink which is beneficial for health can be called as health drink. But ideally there is no ideal health drink except clean water.
[00:01:39] Oh I see.
[00:01:40] Yes, again most of the so-called health drinks contain added sugars, preservatives, collides and additives. So they are more harmful than beneficial.
[00:01:51] This is the reason why SSI and NCPC are strict about these harmful advertisements. Our markets are filled with such things that are injurious to the health of the children.
[00:02:01] Many caffeinated, collided, carbonated and sweetened beverages are available in these days. They are not healthy and should be definitely discouraged.
[00:02:13] I understand. What are the harmful effects of products labeled as health drinks in the market?
[00:02:19] Most of the complications of so-called drinks are related to the frequent use and daily use. Drink them once in a while may not have any problem.
[00:02:29] But regular use can lead to overweight and obesity, cardiometabolic risk factors, sometimes arthritis in the blood pressure, behavioral problems, hyperactivity, atrial disorders, allergic disorders, infections, sometimes foodborne illnesses, sometimes sleep disorders.
[00:02:48] Dental issues, sometimes neuropsychiatric disorders can also occur.
[00:02:52] Oh that's quite worrisome.
[00:02:54] Of course it is.
[00:02:56] Doctor, but parents in our country give drinks like banana milk mixers, ragi mixers and the lighted kits for weight gain and nutrition. They are also called traditional health drinks also right? Is it a good practice?
[00:03:10] See banana is a good food and rich in calories. Milk is rich in calcium and protein. Ragi is a millet rich in fiber, protein, iron and zinc.
[00:03:21] So some, we can homemade porridge, steaks and the sooties we can make actually they are good. But make sure that the usage of salt and sugar should be maximum minimum or even not to add actually.
[00:03:35] Baby is fed with less sugar and so we will man to cope with that. Actually we can reduce the intake of sugar in that definitely.
[00:03:43] Oh I see.
[00:03:44] Yeah also the parents should remember that these are not health drinks. They are just complementary foods. Like I said earlier there is no drinks that we can call as health drinks.
[00:03:55] Okay okay got it doctor. That's it. How can parents ensure that kids consume enough nutrients especially if they are facetist?
[00:04:04] Yes. See parents should know that there are 7 food groups out of which at least 4 should be given daily on the rotation basis to avoid monotony.
[00:04:14] The 7 food groups can maybe grains like rice, chapati, roots, tubers and fruits, green leafy vegetables, plant proteins like nuts, dal and legumes, animal proteins like meat,
[00:04:29] egg, chicken, milk and milk products. Oil and meat we add for the taste and more calories. It is better not to force the children to have food.
[00:04:39] And you should also avoid media like TV or mobile interaction while they are feeding.
[00:04:45] Children should rather concentrate on the food. Its color, its taste, aroma, flavor and texture.
[00:04:52] Parents should also respond to the child's cues in relation to hunger, satiety. See feeding is an art and you can learn slowly and perfect it.
[00:05:01] Oh I understand. But if children demand these chocolatey drinks how often is it okay to give it to them?
[00:05:08] See caffeinated drinks and tea should not be given to children below 5 years. You should see that they should not drink before 5 years.
[00:05:17] Other children, youngsters or older children try to avoid the masoom but all I can say probably very less once in a while once in a week that's all.
[00:05:27] Okay yeah that's an important point to note and I'm sure a lot of us got many takeaways for a healthy life from this session.
[00:05:35] Thank you Dr. Joseph Patani for sharing your insights with the audience of Newsbreak.
[00:05:40] That's a wrap for today's episode of On Manorama's Newsbreak and explain a podcast produced by Harita Benjamin with technical production by Ida Brew Studios.
[00:05:49] It comes out every week and is available on all podcast platforms. Follow onmanoroma.com for more updates.