A DOCTOR has warned parents they shouldn’t give the popular Prime drink to their kids, as Aldi restocks the brand.
The hydration drink, which is backed by YouTube influencers KSI and Logan Paul, is currently hugely popular with youngsters and teens who go crazy trying to get hold of it.
A bottle of Prime, which comes in five different flavours, retails for £1.99 but due to the demand some outlets are selling it at vastly inflated prices.
Aldi currently sells five flavours – Meta Moon, Lemon and Lime, Ice Pop, Blue Raspberry and a ‘KSI’ flavour – but a doctor has now issued a warning about the lesser-available Energy version of Prime.
Currently, the energy version of the drink isn’t sold in major supermarkets in the UK but it can be bought in some corner shops.
However, it is going to be more widely available later this month.
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Dr Deborah Lee, from Dr Fox Online Pharmacy, has warned about the drink’s high levels of caffeine.
Prime energy contains an enormous 200mg of caffeine, compared to a can of Monster Energy which has 86.4mg.
Dr Lee 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.
"If your child is lacking in energy take them to see their GP, do not give them an energy drink.
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“t 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."
Dr Lee explained there are a number of reasons why young kids shouldn’t have caffeine, not least because it can become addictive.
She said: "Children are actively growing, and their brain, nervous system and heart function and development are crucial for their future health.
“Caffeine acts at all these sites and it would be unwise to recommend any substances which could have any deleterious effect."
It can also interfere with sleep, which children need lots of.
Dr Lee said caffeine can result in an increased need to pass urine, which will mean more trips to the toilet at school and it could also contribute to bed wetting.
On the FAQ section of the brand's website, it says: "PRIME Energy contains 200mg of caffeine, per 12 oz. can.
“PRIME Energy is not recommended for children under the age of 18, women who are pregnant or nursing or individuals who are sensitive to caffeine."
However, the "PRIME Hydration and PRIME Hydration+ Sticks are caffeine-free."
While the complete list of ingredients is not easy to find online, Dr Lee warned there are other factors to consider when deciding whether or not to buy your kids a Prime drink.
She added: "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."
While Prime is marketed as having no sugar and is low in calories, it does have sucralose, which is an artificial sweetener which Dr Lee says has been shown to “alter the gut microbiome and increase levels of systemic inflammation”.
The expert also noted there is added zinc, which she said most children don’t need because it is readily available in their diet.
She warned that zinc can cause symptoms too, including vomiting, diarrhoea and headaches.
Dr Lee also noted that Prime is largely made from coconut water, which is packed “full of electrolytes – sodium and potassium”,
She said that children did not need these as, once again, they get them from their diet and don’t need any extra from an energy drink.
Dr Lee advised that if parents did want to give their children a drink, the best option during the day was “plenty of good old-fashioned water”.
The advice comes after fans of the Prime drink showed off their hauls as early-morning queues formed across the country for the latest deliveries.
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Fist fights broke out when budget supermarket Aldi began selling the drink last December – and there were fears of similar scenes as six so-called "Specialbuy" flavours hit the shelves today.
KSI and Logan Paul – who have a combined social media following of more than 140million fans – teased online earlier this month that a new lemonade flavour was on the way.
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