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Coffee & Kids : KEEP THE CAFFEINE IN CHECK
On these cool days , there ’ s nothing I enjoy more than a fresh cup of hot coffee . But these tasty treats aren ’ t just being consumed by adults . More and more , I ’ m seeing teenagers enjoying coffee — and the caffeine that goes with it — on a regular basis . Coffee and kids : is this a good idea ? by Jackie Donnelly
A 2010 SURVEY
of 11,400 high school students by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) found that :
15 % drank one serving of coffee , coffee drink , or any kind of tea every day .
24 % were also drinking regular soda daily .
MORE THAN 16 % drank a sports drink or other sugarsweetened beverage each day .
A recent CDC survey found that 73 % of Americans age 2 to 22 consume caffeine on any given day .
CAFFEINE IN COFFEE PACKS A PUNCH
In just five ounces of the average cup of coffee , there ’ s 115 milligrams of caffeine . That ’ s more than double what ’ s in 12 ounces of Mountain Dew ( 55 mg ) and 1.5 times more than a 12-ounce glass of iced tea ( 70 mg ). Add in those extra “ shots ” of coffee some shops offer , and a large coffee becomes a large intake of caffeine .
Caffeine is a stimulant and causes the same effects in kids and adults . However , in younger children , it doesn ’ t take a lot of caffeine to produce effects like jitteriness and nervousness ; upset stomach ; headaches ; difficulty concentrating ; difficulty sleeping ; increased heart rate ; and increased blood pressure .
Plus , caffeine is a mild diuretic that causes the body to eliminate water ( through urinating ). Drinking a moderate amount of caffeine isn ’ t likely to cause dehydration . But it can become a problem if caffeine is consumed in excess , especially in hot weather , during long workouts , or in other situations where you might sweat a lot .
SUGAR ’ S A CONCERN , TOO
Although we ’ ve all heard the warnings about sugar-sweetened beverages , we may not be lumping coffee or tea into that warning . After all , most kids aren ’ t drinking their coffee black . They ’ re ordering sugar-filled lattes , cappuccinos , and chai teas that can easily contain several hundred calories , depending on the size .
Not only do these caffeinated beverages contain empty calories ( calories that don ’ t provide any nutrients ), but when kids fill up on them — maybe choosing a large latte
73 % of Americans age 2 to 22 consume caffeine on any given day .
as their breakfast — they don ’ t get the vitamins and minerals they need from healthy sources , which puts them at risk for nutritional deficiencies .
CUT THE CAFFEINE BACK SLOWLY
If your teens have taken up coffee , don ’ t make them quit the caffeine cold turkey . Abruptly stopping caffeine may cause
enhance magazine | MARCH 2017 3