Caffeine is consumed by much of the world's population on a regular basis in one form or another. Found in coffee, soda, tea, energy drinks and chocolate, caffeine is used by many adults as a means to wake up in the morning or to keep alert at night. But it's not just adults who are downing cups of coffee and other caffeinated beverages. Teenagers consume caffeinated beverages as well, according to Drexel University. Parents should learn the appropriate daily dose of caffeine for a teenager.
Caffeine's Effects
The aspect that makes caffeine so appealing to so many is the same factor that can make it problematic or even dangerous. Caffeine is a stimulant drug; it acts upon your central nervous system to increase your alertness, wakefulness, ability to focus, adrenaline production, blood pressure and heart rate. Generally, these stimulant effects are minor and harmless. For some, caffeine can lead to nervousness, irritability, headaches, insomnia and irregular heartbeat, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Problems for Teens
While caffeine can be unhealthy for anyone when consumed in excess, ingesting too much caffeine may be especially detrimental to teens. Drexel University researcher Dr. Christina Calamaro and colleagues point out that teens often consume caffeine as a means to stay up late whether to text friends or surf the Internet, then suffer the effects of sleep deprivation. The result can be sleepy teens who can't concentrate and then behave negatively at school, notes Walden University. Another concern is nutrition. When teens drink coffee and soda, it often replaces more nutritious drinks like milk or even calories from nutritious food. Since teenagers are still growing, it's important for them to obtain adequate nutrients from healthy foods and beverages.
Appropriate Amounts
While caffeine doesn't provide any nutrients, small to moderate amounts in a teen's diet are probably fine, says Drury Universiy. MayoClinic.com states that about 200 to 300 mg of caffeine per day -- roughly the amount if 2 to 4 cups of coffee -- is generally harmless. Caffeinated drinks should not replace nutritious foods or drinks and any amount of caffeine that keeps your teen up at night or causes negative side effects is too much.
Considerations
Caffeine can be difficult to cut down on or eliminate from your diet. If you're used to consuming a lot of caffeine, decreasing your intake can cause headaches, drowsiness and irritability at first, although these symptoms will pass. If you're a teenager, or the parent of one, and have concerns about safe vs. harmful doses of caffeine, speak to your physician for evaluation and recommendations regarding caffeine in teens' diets.
References
- Drexel University; Teens Fueled by Caffeine Use Too Much Technology and Don't Get Enough Sleep Professor Finds; July 2009
- National Institutes of Health MedlinePlus; Caffeine
- Walden University ConnectEd; The Effects of Caffeine on Education; August 2011
- Drury University; Caffeine: How Much is Too Much?; Amanda Foster; November 2010
- MayoClinic.com; Caffeine -- How Much is Too Much?; March 2011
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