Caffeine, a stimulant drug, was once predominately the domain of adults, but increasingly children and teenagers are regularly consuming it, according to Jennifer Temple's June 2009 article in "Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews." Some caffeine products such as energy drinks are targeted specifically for teenage consumption, some with a caffeine level of 500 mg, equivalent to 5 cups of coffee. Because of the popularity of energy drinks with teenagers -- sales for energy drinks have increased by 50 percent from 2005 to 2009, according to Temple -- parents and doctors are becoming concerned about what effects caffeine has on teenagers.
Substitute for Healthy Drinks
One concern about teenage caffeine consumption is that when teens choose soda or energy drinks, they are not drinking the healthier alternatives of milk, water or fruit juice. According to Michael F. Jacobson of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, just substituting one glass of soda for one glass of milk or fruit juice can have a substantial effect on daily nutritional intake. Caffeine is associated with poor sleep, and caffeine in sugary drinks lead to obesity and tooth decay. Early obesity is a risk factor for Type 2 diabetes, which is an increasing problem for teenagers.
Caffeine Dependence
Particularly with sugary caffeine drinks, caffeine dependence can result because sugar produces a "natural reward" that activates brain mechanisms similar to what occurs during cocaine or nicotine use, according to Jennifer Temple of the University of Buffalo's Exercise and Nutrition Sciences Department in a paper published in the June 2009 issue of "Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews" journal. Temple also reports a finding from a questionnaire that teenagers answered: Teenagers who drink four or more caffeinated beverages are more likely to smoke cigarettes.
Caffeine Abuse
Many energy drink advertisers claim that their energy drinks enhance athletic performance and improve concentration. Particularly with energy drinks, caffeine overdose can occur because many of these drinks do not label the caffeine amount they contain and because many teens believe that if one energy drink produces a positive effect, more drinks would be even better. This could lead to caffeine intoxication, with symptoms of anxiety, nervousness, insomnia, restlessness, stomach upset, racing heart, tremors, and sometimes seizure, stroke and death.
Caffeine and Alcohol
Teenagers also tend to combine energy drinks with alcohol. When they drink these together, teenagers do not feel the effects of alcohol as much as if they drank alcohol without the energy drink, according to Chad Reissig of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and colleagues in a report published in the January 2009 issue of "Drug and Alcohol Dependence." This could increase the potential of alcoholic-induced mistakes such as unsafe or inappropriate sexual behavior and driving while under the influence.
References
- Center for Science in the Public Interest; Liquid Candy: How Soft Drinks Are Harming America's Health; Michael Jacobson; June 2005
- "Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews"; Caffeine Use in Children: What We Know, What We Have Left to Learn, and Why We Should Worry; Jennifer Temple; June 2009
- "Drug and Alcohol Dependence"; Caffeinated Energy Drinks: A Growing Problem; Chad Reissig, et al.; January 2009
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