Top-selling — and most-advertised — children’s drinks are sweetened

Nearly two-thirds of children’s drinks sold in 2018 were beverages that contain added sugar or artificial sweeteners, according to a new report. Researchers analyzed nearly 70 children’s drinks, about half of which were sweetened. Some $2.2 billion in children’s drinks were sold last year, and only around $800 million — or about 38% — were from drinks that were 100% fruit juice or juice and water blends. The report also found that companies spent nearly $5 million more in advertising for sugar-sweetened beverages than they did for unsweetened drinks. Kids ages 2-11 saw twice as many ads for sugar-sweetened drinks than for other beverages, while they also saw four times as many ads for some drinks than adults did.