How safe are energy drinks for kids?
Pediatricians recommend kids ages 12 and under steer clear of caffeinated beverages and energy drinks. (Photos by Katherina Mansfield)
On the subject of energy drinks and caffeine, Dr. Ned Ketyer says, 无毛视频淔or adults and for children, going through life uncaffeinated is probably the safest approach.无毛视频�
For years, kids and adults alike have popped open energy drinks for a morning wakeup or midday kick. The drinks, which come in a variety of colorful cans and flavors, are now trending, after Sen. Chuck Schumer asked the FDA to investigate the safety of an energy drink marketed by social media influencers.
While studies show small amounts of caffeine may boost mood and attention, too much caffeine can have adverse effects. (Photo by Katherine Mansfield)
Some of the hottest new products being marketed to kids on social media aren无毛视频檛 sneakers or a brand of jeans. They无毛视频檙e energy drinks.
Energy drinks have been around for years, but it无毛视频檚 what they contain that concerns parents and doctors. Excessive amounts of sugar and caffeine are not healthy for adults or children, but many of the drinks on the shelves contain high amounts of both. The topic exploded into news headlines this summer after Sen. Chuck Schumer went to Congress and asked the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to investigate the safety of one drink being marketed by social media influencers. The drink, branded as 无毛视频渮ero sugar无毛视频� and 无毛视频渧egan,无毛视频� is among many on the market containing high amounts of caffeine and comes in neon-colored cans aimed at attracting young buyers.
The problem? Each drink contains 200 milligrams of caffeine per 12 ounces, the equivalent found in six cans of Coke or two Red Bulls. Schumer wants the FDA to look at the issue, and many parents wonder about advertisers targeting these kinds of drinks toward younger audiences.
How bad is caffeine?
How hazardous is consuming 200 milligrams of caffeine in a 12-ounce drink? We asked Dr. Ned Ketyer of Allegheny Health Network (AHN) Pediatrics, who said there is no safe dose of caffeine for children.
无毛视频淧ediatricians advise against caffeine for children under 12 and against any use of energy drinks for all children and teens,无毛视频� said Ketyer. 无毛视频淔or kids 12 to 18 years of age, limiting caffeine to at most 100 mg (about two 12-ounce cans of cola or one 8-ounce cup of coffee) daily is recommended.无毛视频� Some of these energy drinks contain nearly six times more than what is in the same size can of Coca-Cola.
Ketyer said that should serve as a red flag. 无毛视频淏everages with this much caffeine can pose harmful risks for both adults and children,无毛视频� he explained, 无毛视频渂ut especially kids because the drinks are so sweet and appealing to them, and they might not stop after one can. If kids drink a large amount of caffeine, it can negatively affect their heart rate and blood pressure, at a minimum.无毛视频�
Long-term, consuming caffeine in large quantities can result in adverse effects in both adults and children, he said.
无毛视频淓nergy drinks have increasingly become a source of caffeine overdoses, according to a comprehensive study published in Pediatrics,无毛视频� Ketyer said. 无毛视频淐affeine is a stimulant which can cause dependence, insomnia, rapid heart rate and heart palpitations in both children and adults. These symptoms can be even more extreme in some children who consume large amounts of caffeine, resulting in seizures, mania, stroke, and death in rare cases.无毛视频�
Even healthy children with no known health complications can experience adverse effects after consuming too much caffeine, and symptoms can be magnified in children with existing health conditions, such as asthma or heart disease.
Caffeine无毛视频檚 effects
In the body, caffeine acts as a central nervous system stimulant. In the brain, moderate consumption has been shown to improve mood and attention, which adults may find beneficial.
无毛视频淐offee, tea and chocolate in particular are also rich in antioxidants that may provide other health benefits,无毛视频� Ketyer said. 无毛视频淏ut consuming too much caffeine can overstimulate the brain and other organs, causing insomnia and sleep deprivation, anxiety, muscle tremors, rapid heart rate and heart palpitations.无毛视频�
The impact depends on the dose. According to the Mayo Clinic, consuming up to four 8-ounce cups of coffee or 10 cans of cola should be safe for many adults, depending on health or medical status. For children, there is no established safe dose of caffeine. 无毛视频淧ediatricians recommend avoiding caffeine altogether in children under 12,无毛视频� says Ketyer. 无毛视频淔or 12-to-18-year-olds, caffeine should be limited to no more than 100 mg per day (about two 12-ounce cans of cola or one 8-ounce cup of brewed coffee).无毛视频�
Ketyer recommends using the energy drink issue as a conversation starter with your kids. 无毛视频淧arents should talk to their kids about their caffeine intake and use the conversation around popular energy drinks to talk about other drugs and stimulants,无毛视频� he suggests. 无毛视频淓nergy drinks are not safe for children, and they should be avoided 无毛视频� that无毛视频檚 the bottom line. To combat fatigue or feeling sluggish, we can do other things, like standing up and moving around, getting more sleep, exercising, eating more nutritious food, and taking a multivitamin.无毛视频�
Energy drinks may provide a quick boost, but actually may be harmful to overall health. 无毛视频淧arents should encourage their children (and themselves) to drink water instead,无毛视频� Ketyer said. 无毛视频淎dding fresh fruit or cucumbers to water is helpful for those who prefer more flavor. Water is the best thirst quencher, especially during a hot summer day and after an intense and high endurance activity. Water is an essential part of a child无毛视频檚 and adolescent无毛视频檚 daily diet and keeps the body hydrated and energized.无毛视频�
Most adults enjoying a little bit of caffeine to get the morning started or for an afternoon pick-me-up should have no problems, but the bottom line on high-caffeine drinks is to avoid them.
无毛视频淗eavy consumption of caffeine, especially in beverages that also contain a lot of sugar, should be discussed with your doctor,无毛视频� Ketyer said. 无毛视频淔or adults and for children, going through life uncaffeinated is probably the safest approach.无毛视频�