(P16-001-24) Low-Sugar Flavored Beverage Improves Fluid Intake in Children During Exercise in the Heat

Objectives: This study aimed to examine the impact of a low-sugar flavored beverage on total fluid intake and hydration biomarkers in healthy children. We hypothesized that consuming a flavored low-carbohydrate beverage would result in a higher fluid intake and better net fluid balance over 3 hours than plain water.

Methods: Fourteen children 8-10 y old (girls n=7, age: 9±1y, height: 1.34±0.10 m, weight: 29.5±5.8 kg, body fat: 26.4±9.5%) participated in a randomized, cross-over, study that consisted of two trials. During each trial, subjects performed a three-hour protocol that included during each hour: 10 min walking, 5 min rest, 10 min walking, and 35 min rest in the heat (29ºC). Walking speed was designed to elicit a heart rate of 70% of their age-predicted maximum. After the first 10 mins of exercise, during every subsequent exercise period, speed and incline were increased at the same rate to reach the desired heart rate. Before exercise, subjects consumed a light breakfast. During the 3-h protocol, subjects could consume one of the following two fluids ad libitum: a) plain water (WAT), b) a commercially available flavored (fruit punch) beverage (FB) with low sugar content (2.88 kcal, 0.57 g sugar, 0.03 g stevia, and 7.9 mg sodium per 100 mL). Body weight, fluid intake, urine samples, and perceptual data (thirst and taste via visual analog scales) were collected.

Results: During the trial, subjects consumed more fluids for the FB (941±475 mL) than in the WAT trial (505±256 mL, P < 0.05). Children preferred the taste of the FB (116±27 mm) to WAT (68±39 mm, P < 0.05). During the FB trial, subjects produced more urine (700±246 mL) with lower osmolality (158±184 mmol/kg) urine than in the WAT trial (379±235 mL, 392±300 mmol/kg; P < 0.05). Percentage of body weight change between the two trials did not differ significantly at 1^st, 2^nd, or 3^rd hour of the protocol (FB: +0.1±0.9, -0.1±1.3, -1.0±1.1%; WAT: -0.3±0.8, -0.4±0.6, -0.9±0.6%; P</em> < 0.05).

Conclusions: The data suggest that a flavored beverage can drive higher fluid intake and improve hydration compared to plain water during exercise and rest in a hot environment. However, it does not seem to produce a significantly better net fluid balance.

Funding Sources: Kraft Heinz is financing this study.