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Caffeine and Teenagers |
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Caffeine and TeenagersCaffeine stimulates the central nervous system and people become more alert and energetic with caffeine consumption, thus it is classified as a drug.
It occurs naturally in coffee beans, tea leaves, cocoa and cola nuts. There are many other foods and beverages besides coffee that provide substantial amounts of caffeine these include soda, carbonated beverages, cold drinks, caffeinated soft drinks, chocolates, coffee ice creams, tea, iced tea, hot cocoa and also used in some drugs for the treatment of cold, asthma and over the counter pills for pain. Caffeine is very bitter in taste in natural form; however it goes through many processes to camouflage its bitter taster before it is used in caffeinated drinks and soft drinks.
Most of the caffeine intake in a teenager’s diet is through soft drinks that not only is a source of caffeine, but also gives substantial amount of sugar – empty calories and artificial flavor. Café shops have become a common place for teen’s hangout. But they don’t realize that they are just sitting with a cup of fat, sugar and caffeine, unless they choose skim milk instead of cream in their coffee.
Side effects of caffeine on teenagers - Caffeine when taken in moderate amounts can increase mental alertness. However when taken in higher doses, it can cause anxiety, headaches, moods, dizziness and may also interfere with normal sleep. Caffeine when taken in very high dose can be very harmful to the body.
- Caffeine is addictive and if stopped abruptly can cause many withdrawal symptoms like headache, irritability, temporary depression and muscle ache.
- Regular caffeine consumption can reduce caffeine sensitivity that means the caffeine required is higher to achieve the same effects. Thus more caffeine a teenager consumes the more will be its need to feel the same effects.
- Caffeine is a diuretic it causes water loss from the body (through urination).
Especially in summers caffeine is a very bad choice and it may cause dehydration. - Caffeine is not stored in the body and is passed through the urine, but if the person is sensitive to caffeine he/she might feel its effects up to six hours.
- Caffeine when consumed in large amounts can cause loss of calcium and potassium from the body that can lead to sore muscles and delayed recovery time after any exercise.
- Some teenagers may be unaware of the fact that caffeine in high amounts can cause nervous disorders and may also aggravate heart problems.
Try to cut down the caffeine in your diet gradually; moderation is the key (amounts less than 100 milligrams).
Include healthy options like fresh fruit juices, water, milk, flavored seltzer, decaffeinated soda or tea instead of caffeinated beverages, soft drinks, sodas and other caffeine rich drinks. Make sure to read the nutritional fact labels for caffeine content before consuming the product.
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