Caffeine isn't just found in coffee.
Parents are the most worried so that their child does not start smoking cigarettes or using drugs. However, few people think about coffee and other energy drinks. health experts. But remember: only a doctor can diagnose and prescribe treatment.
The allowed dose of caffeine for children 6-11 years old — 25 mg per day, for teens 12-17 years old — 50. And now compare these figures with content of caffeine in drinks:
- cola (can 0.33 l) — 40;
- coffee (cup) — about 100;
- tea (cup) — 40−50;
- energy (can of 0.33 l) — 150−250.
That is, you can only drink half a cup of coffee, a cup of tea or a can of cola, and energy drinks are not allowed at all. And children can consume much more caffeine per day.
The Effects of Caffeine Caffeine is a powerful stimulant that excites the body increases response to stimuli. Some studies have tested the cognition of children given caffeine, and results were slightly higher than those who did not take caffeine.
Caffeine disrupts sleep cycles, and in order to compensate for a poor night's rest, you have to drink more and more coffee. Another unpleasant effect — caffeine in sweet drinks increases cravings for other types of sweet soda.
With increasing the dose (from 100 mg in children and 400 -in adolescents), the bad effect is enhanced . An arrhythmia appears, the pressure rises, anxiety grows. There are cases of sudden death of children from an overdose of caffeinated drinks. The most frustrating thing is that high doses of caffeine impair heart function, but this is almost impossible to track.
Several studies have focused on a long-term side effect: links between caffeine use and problems with aggression, anger, ;abnormal sexual behavior.
So, in small doses, caffeine does not threaten the child. But if he constantly drinks a lot of coffee or energy drinks, this can lead to various health problems. So it's better, of course, to follow the love of coffee and not overdose.