06/28/2013 // Concord, CA, USA // LifeCare123 // Eva Hvingelby // (press release)
The FDA recently announced it is launching an investigation into how caffeine affects children. Serious side effects have occurred as more kids and teens reach for attractively packaged energy drinks. Children may not understand the difference between an electrolyte replacing sports drink, such as Gatorade, and drinks that are filled with caffeine and added stimulants. Adolescents may also knowingly reach for reach for energy drinks during stressful periods in school when they want extra energy to study, without realizing the risks.
Energy drinks can be dangerous for kids because “The total amount of caffeine contained in some cans or bottles of energy drinks can exceed 500 mg, equivalent to 14 cans of common caffeinated soft drinks” according to the Official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Energy drink labels may not disclose the actual amount of caffeine in the product. This is because manufacturers include herbs such as guarana. Guarana adds to the total caffeine content, but it is not calculated into the information on the nutrition label because it is considered a natural additive.
Kids who consume energy drinks have been hospitalized for severe headaches, palpitations, and high blood pressure. Be sure you speak with your child about the risks of energy drinks. Show them how to read a nutrition label and how to tell if the sports drink they pick up has caffeine and added stimulants.
Encourage your child to consume healthy alternatives such as milk, water or unsweetened iced tea, and if they aren’t sure if a new and attractively packaged beverage contains caffeine and stimulants, to reach for something familiar instead.
Clinical Report–Sports Drinks and Energy Drinks for Children and Adolescents: Are They Appropriate? (2011) Pediatrics; http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/early/2011/05/25/peds.2011-0965
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (2013). FDA to Investigate Added Caffeine. http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm350570.htm
Taddeo, D., Harvey, J. & Boutin, A., (2012) Health hazards related to energy drinks: Are we looking for them? Paediatrics & Child Health, Vol. 17, Issue 2. 1205-7088
Usman, A. & Jawaid, A. (2012) Hypertension in a young boy: an energy drink effect. BMC Research Notes 5: 591
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