 |
|
 |
 |
| |
|
|
| |
| Caffeine use in children |
 |
by Monika B. Pis, PhD, CPNP - June 17, 2011
|
Caffeine is a naturally occurring substance found in beans, leaves, and fruit of over 60 plants throughout the world.
Caffeine is best known for it stimulant effect. In the recent years caffeine-containing beverages, such as energy drinks, have become trendy, especially among teenagers and young adults. Many drink those beverages to be able to stay up to study or party. Others drink it because that makes them fit in with their peers.
Many energy drinks are loaded with sugar, corn syrup, and more caffeine that is recommended by the FDA. For example, the FDA restricts caffeine consumption to 72 mg per 12 oz of a beverage, while many energy drinks exceed this recommendation (see Table 1). Experts agree that consumption of about 300 mg of caffeine a day, an equivalent of 3 cups of coffee, is safe. However, many people exceed that recommendation.
TABLE 1. Caffeine content of energy drinks
Energy drink Caffeine (mg)
Full Throttle 16 oz 144
Monster Energy 16 oz 160
No Fear 8 oz 83
Red Bull 8.3 oz 76
Cocaine 8.4 oz 280
Adapted from USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, 2009; Center for Science in the Public Interest, 2007.
Caffeine stimulates the nervous and cardiovascular systems. It elevates mood, decreases fatigue, and increases attentiveness. It also increases heart rate, respiratory rate, and metabolism for a few hours after ingestion. Although caffeine’s effects disappear in about 4-6 hours, excessive intake (600 mg or more, an equivalent of 6 cups of coffee) may cause irritability, inability to seep, and restlessness. In high doses, it may even lead to hallucinations and delirium. Research indicates that caffeine increases excretion of calcium, a mineral essential for healthy and strong bones, causing decrease in mineral bone density and accelerated bone loss what puts caffeine consumers at a higher risk of osteoporosis and bone fracture. Caffeine is a mildly addictive substance thus chronic and excessive use may lead to dependence.
Caffeine consumption in children should be monitored and kept at a minimum, as their nervous and cardiovascular systems are still developing and might be more sensitive to the caffeine’s adverse effects. For children, the main source of caffeine should be chocolate offered in moderation as an occasional treat. They should not be given coffee, pop, or energy drinks. Parents should enforce milk consumption to assure bone health and teach their children effective time management to prevent the need to utilize caffeine as a method to stay alert at night while completing school assignments.
Dr. Monika Pis is the Editor in Chief of the health, safety, and nutrition sections of Plugged in Parents. She is a pediatric nurse practitioner with a doctoral degree earned at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. She has provided health care to infants, children, and adolescents for close to a decade.
Dr. Monika’s special interests include nutrition, physical activity, and obesity. Since her motto is, “Prevention is the best medicine," teaching her patients the steps to being healthy is one of her professional missions.
The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.
RECOMMEND THIS ARTICLE
You must be logged in
to recommend articles
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
|
