Teenagers and Caffeine
10:53 AM
Many adults start the morning with a dose of caffeine and may consume it regularly throughout the day as a widely used pick-me-up. However, teens are proving to be frequent consumers of caffeine as well, notes Walden University. Therefore, it's important for teens and their parents to understand how caffeine may affect their bodies.
Caffeine Basics
First, it's helpful to know what caffeine is. According to the National Institutes of Health, caffeine is a chemical compound found in various plants that acts as a central nervous system stimulant. Found mainly in coffee, tea, soda, chocolate, energy drinks and some over-the-counter medications, caffeine is a widely used and culturally accepted drug, one that many people find harmless or even beneficial in certain amounts but which can be harmful in some situations and in excessive doses.
Caffeine and Sleep
Caffeine is probably best known for its ability to counteract sleepiness. Because it's a stimulant, caffeine heightens your feelings of alertness and may help you stay awake when you're feeling fatigued. However, this can be detrimental to teenagers, who already tend to obtain less sleep than they need, says Beaumont Health System. Teens often consume caffeine in coffee and energy drinks to stay up late texting, studying or socializing, then feel exhausted the next day; this sends them back to caffeine for an energy jolt, thus setting up a vicious cycle of caffeine overuse and sleep deprivation, explains Beaumont Health System.
Caffeine and Nutrition
Another concern regarding caffeine and teens is nutritional. According to the New York University Langone Medical Center, many nutritionists object to caffeine use by teens because caffeinated beverages like soda and coffee drinks may take the place of more nutritious substances. For example, most teenagers do not get enough calcium. If teens reach for soda or energy drinks rather than milk or other nutrient-rich foods, they miss out on necessary vitamins or minerals.
Considerations
According to MayoClinic.com, moderate intake of caffeine -- around 200 to 300 mg per day -- is generally safe and harmless for adults. However, less is known about safe doses of caffeine for children and teens, in part because children are still growing and may have varying, size-related thresholds for caffeine tolerance. In addition, some people are more sensitive to caffeine than others, and may experience unpleasant side effects such as anxiety, racing heart, high blood pressure, insomnia and jittery feelings even with mild doses of caffeine. In general, teens are advised to minimize their caffeine intake in favor of better sleep habits and healthier dietary choices; but you should consult your pediatrician or family physician for specific advice and recommendations.
Article: “The Effects of Caffeine on Teenagers Bodies” by Shannon Hyland-Tassava with Livestrong. Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/505818-the-effects-of-caffeine-on-teenagers-bodies/#ixzz1mZX57mu7
Best Teen Diets recommends healthy well balanced eating that includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, protein and low-fat or fat-free dairy. We offer nutrition information for teens, parents and educators that emphasize the importance of healthy eating for teens.
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