Is Your Child at Risk of a Caffeine Overdose?

Most adults start their day with at least one hot cup of coffee for that morning eye-opener.  In fact, a recent survey by the National Coffee Association revealed that as much as 83% of adults are coffee drinkers, making the U.S. the world’s biggest consumption of coffee.  While many parents don’t allow their children to drink coffee, caffeine consumption among children is on the rise.  

Consuming three to four cups of coffee during the day may interfere with sleep, but this is nowhere near an overdose. It may also be nothing compared to what some children and adolescents, who consume the ultimate caffeine mix in the form of an energy drink that kids think are cool. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, energy drinks are the fastest growing beverage in the U.S. Half of the energy drink market consists of children younger than 12 years old, adolescents and young adults in the age group of 19 to 25. 

Caffeine and energy drinks:

Energy drinks are high in concentrated amounts of sugar, caffeine and other ingredients. Most of these types of beverages contain as much as 70 to 80 mg of caffeine per 8-ounce serving, three times the amount found in soda. Some energy drinks also contain natural additive substances like guarana and taurine, which are also high in caffeine. Guarana contains 3.6 to 5.8 percent caffeine by weight, which is highest as compared to any other plant.  According to a survey by consumerreports.org, caffeine levels per serving ranged from about 6 milligrams to 242 milligrams per serving, and some containers may have more than one serving. In some energy drinks, the exact concentration per serving was not even mentioned. Moreover, there are energy drinks that contain more than 20 percent of their labeled amount, on average. Since these energy drinks are considered dietary supplements they are not regulated by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and there is no limit to the amount of caffeine that they may contain. 

How much caffeine is too much in children?

According to experts, the caffeine consumption in children and adolescents should not exceed more than 100 mg per day. 

4-6 years	45 mg
7-9 years	62.5 mg
10-12 years	85 mg
13 years and up	Varies depending on weight

Although low doses of caffeine have been associated with mental alertness and improved motor tasks, these benefits come with adverse effects. According to studies, caffeine consumption in kids causes sleeplessness, which in turn affects their BMI (body mass index), anxiety, rapid heartbeat and palpitations. It’s not just the caffeine that should worry parents, but the sugar content as well. Energy drinks are loaded with sugar, and are often consumed as a substitute for healthier beverages like water and low fat milk. In addition, sugary drinks can cause cavities and lead to dehydration. 

Caffeine can make your kids feel more alert, boost their mental and physical performance, and even elevate their moods. But, consuming too many beverages throughout the day that contain caffeine can cause a caffeine overdose. Therefore, parents should consult with their pediatrician and limit the amount of caffeine and sugary drinks that their children consume to a minimum and encourage them to opt for healthier choices.

photo credit: mararie via photopin cc

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