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In a recent wire story "How to beat the heat; STAYING SAFE"  Dr. Amber Hayward-Stewart, chief of emergency at QHC's Trenton Memorial Hospital was attributed with a quote suggesting readers should consider  "mixing energy drinks and water in equal amounts to avoid consuming too much sugar," in order to help beat the heat.   

The story ran in the Peterborough Examiner and in the Belleville Intelligencer.  Recognizing that energy drinks were being confused with sports drinks, CBA reached out to both newspapers with letters to the editors, we contacted the hospital and reached out to the journalist. 

Letters to the Editors appeared in both papers and the hospital confirmed that Dr. Hayward-Stewart had been misquoted.

Letters to the Editor Column

The Peterborough Examiner
Wed Jul 20 2011
Page: A4
Section: Editorial/Opinion
Column: Letters to the Editor

Sport, energy drinks shouldn't be confused

Re "How to beat the heat: Staying safe" (July 18) -

An article based on an interview with Dr. Amber Hayward-Stewart, chief of emergency at Quinte Health Care's Trenton Memorial Hospital states: "Choose water, juice or energy drinks. Those drinks contain a lot of sugar and some salt -both of which the body needs . . . She suggested mixing energy drinks and water in equal amounts to avoid consuming too much sugar."

Unfortunately the article confuses energy drinks with sports drinks. Sports drinks are beverages that are specifically formulated to re-hydrate the body and usually provide carbohydrate energy needed for physical activity. Sports drinks also replenish electrolytes, which maintain sodium and potassium balances in the body.

Energy drinks are natural health products, contain caffeine and are meant to supply mental and physical stimulation for a short period of time.

For more information on energy drinks, visit the Canadian Beverage Association's website at www.canadianbeverage.ca

JUSTIN SHERWOOD, President Canadian Beverage Association

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