Caffeine: Healthy Or Hazardous?

     Caffeine is a common stimulant that is widely accepted in our society as being normal, it is able to stimulate the central nervous system within an individual to decrease fatigue. These caffeinated drinks that are widely produced promise increased energy, improved physical performance, and a higher mental function in adults. How about children? Is there something more to these drinks as they seem, as many call them, "too good to be true." This blog will focus on the effects that caffeine can have on both adults and children and if they are safe for the younger generation to consume. 

    For caffeine to be safe and effective in adults it must be used correctly. When it is not used correctly it is  seen to effect sleep patterns, increased anxiety, and can produce other negative health effects. Many adults will use caffeine regularly so that they may increase aerobic endurance and strength, improve reaction time, and delay fatigue, but how do they accomplish this? They use caffeine correctly, consuming about 3-6mg/kg. In some cases they may consume more than what is recommended, ingesting nearly 13 mg/kg. While this does increase ones performance, it will bring about negative effects once the caffeine finally vacates their system. This can lead to a large crash off of the caffeine, headaches, and trouble sleeping. Overall, in adults, it has been seen that caffeine can be very beneficial if it is used correctly.

    Caffeine in adolescents is an entirely different story. The American Association of Poison Control Centers reported more than 4600 calls and of these 4600 calls 2345 individuals needed treatment due to some type of caffeine toxicity or abuse. This is because of the serving size in many of these cans and bottles which caffeine can be found. As children are usually much smaller than adults, this results in a higher mg/kg than is recommended. This high concentration of caffeine can lead to anxiety and heart arrythmias in children. High doses of caffeine can also result in caffeine toxicity which can also lead to a list of negative impacts such as trouble breathing, vomiting, and chest pain. Caffeine has also showed to effect the developing neurologic and cardiovascular systems. This is a main concern for developing children as this can cause life long complications. Lastly, as children are very impressionable at their young ages, they are much more likely to become addicted to this substance as their bodies can easily become dependable on the energy it provides. If they do not fulfill their bodies desire, it can result in headache, fatigue, decreased alertness, drowsiness, difficulty concentrating, irritability, and depressed mood. The need for caffeine in children can be irradicated by simply providing them with a well balanced diet, as this will be able to provide the energy necessary for them to complete their daily tasks.

    Overall the consumption of caffeine by adults can be very beneficial to them if they consume the product in the correct measurements to their own body. But for adolescents it can have very devastating short term and long term effects. Children should not be drinking caffeine until they reach the correct age, in order to ensure full bodily development and to ensure they have the maturity necessary to ingest caffeine correctly.

Schneider, M. B., & Benjamin, H. J. (2011, June 1). Sports drinks and energy drinks for children and adolescents: Are they appropriate?. American Academy of Pediatrics. https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/127/6/1182/30098/Sports-Drinks-and-Energy-Drinks-for-Children-and?autologincheck=redirected