Logan Paul remains one of the most influential people on earth, but Dubai’s biggest education firm is putting up a major road block in front of his and fellow YouTube star KSI’s fast-growing beverage Prime Energy.
GEMS World Academy, a highly-regarded school owned by Middle East education giant GEMS which operates over 60 schools worldwide, has banned the highly popular Prime Energy drinks on school grounds, after concerned parents approached the school with the risks associated with the beverage.
Responding to the fears, the school sent around a circular, Khaleej Times has reported, mentioning that the drink can reportedly cause health problems, including anxiety and even addiction.
It’s also a bit ironic, considering how Paul and KSI bill PRIME as a “better for you” product than its competitors, constantly pushing it as a healthy alternative and even just generally healthful for anyone, even kids, it can be perceived.
“By promoting a healthy diet, we aim to equip our students with the tools they need to lead a balanced lifestyle that will positively impact their academic performance, physical health, and emotional wellbeing. We believe that healthy habits formed at an early age will pave the way for a lifetime of wellness,” said Dean Winders, Assistant Principal Primary – Personal Development, Welfare and Behaviour at GEMS World Academy.
“That is why we strongly believe that energy drinks that are high in caffeine and sugar should be prohibited in schools. These drinks are often marketed towards young people with claims of increased energy, improved performance, and enhanced mental focus. However, the truth is that these drinks can have serious negative effects on children’s health and wellbeing.”
Will other Dubai schools ban Prime Energy?
Other schools may be following suit. A statement from another school leader at Star International School in Dubai’s Al Twar put outa statement condemning drinks of its kind as well.
“We implemented a healthy eating policy throughout the school. This healthier way of living means avoiding energy drinks. If anyone is drinking these, it should be monitored closely due to the high sugar content and the ability to become addicted to them. Overindulgence in these types of drinks can also impact a child’s wellbeing, as well as their physical and dental health,” said Sean Lewis, Head of Pastoral Care, Student Development, Wellbeing and Safeguarding (DSL), Star International School, Al Twar.
Another school head from Credence High School said that they are on a mission to get the drinks completely banned as well.
“It becomes our responsibility to ensure that all drinks and eatables that have harmful side effects are completely banned. Energy drinks which have artificial sweeteners and caffeine, causing life threatening side effects such as anxiety, insomnia to name a few should not be sold in schools at all,” Thapar Singh told Khaleej Times.
Energy drinks: The medical opinion
Ok, but are these things actually harmful or addictive? UAE doctors have come out to say that the main issues are due to the high caffeine, which is “often unregulated” in energy drinks, according to Dr Hany Alhendawy, Pediatric specialist, Burjeel Medical City, Abu Dhabi.
“This can lead to potential adverse effects, especially in children with pre-existing health conditions like seizures, diabetes, cardiac abnormalities, or mood and behavioural disorders. Therefore, it is generally not recommended for children below 18 to consume energy drinks.”
Is Prime Energy worse than its competitors?
There’s a reason that Prime has become singled out, too. According to Parents.com, the drink has way more than you might think, and more than double that of competitor Red Bull. Wow!
“Prime energy drinks contain 200mg of caffeine per 355ml can, the same amount of caffeine as two-and-a-half cans of Red Bull, three large coffees, or six cans of Coca-Cola. That’s a lot of caffeine to pump into an adult, let alone a kid,” writes the site.
The real issue, of course, may just be its popularity with the younger set, due to Logan Paul’s massive pull causing the drink to have a younger fanbase than others of its kind.
The energy drink world, of course, is a complete mess, full of tons of unregulated ingredients and potentially harmful side effects, as well as some seriously colourful characters.
Here’s a good deep dive into competitor Bang Energy and their extremely dubious ingredients.
Prime, of course, continues to grow in popularity, becoming the official drink of its kind for the UFC, and now the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team.
Keep your kids safe, folks!