The Effects of Caffeine on Teenagers

Teenagers are known for their lack of sleep, especially in this generation. To make up for the loss of energy that is related to their sleeping schedules, most teens resort to caffeine. Coffee is popular among kids this age, but there's something gaining more and more popularity: highly caffeinated energy drinks. Speaking from personal experience, I see many highschoolers carrying these drinks to classes each day, and I am also one to enjoy them. So let's look into how the levels of caffeine in these drinks effect young people. Are they really worth drinking to make up for the energy many of us feel we lack?

“Teens and Caffeine” an article from CHOC, a pediatric healthcare system based in Orange County, California, states that the recommended amount of caffeine for teenagers per day is 200-300 milligrams. The average energy drink has around 100 milligrams of caffeine, and many people will consume several of these per day. Verywellhealth.org, a website composed by medical professionals, states, “There have been reports of people—usually teens and young adults—overdosing on caffeine, An investigation by The New York Times in 2012 found at least 13 deaths linked to energy drinks.” It's important to keep an eye on the amount of caffeine you're drinking each day. Moderation is key; in small amounts, energy drinks shouldn’t cause too many problems. But when drinking them in large quantities they can be detrimental to your health.

Now that we know caffeine can be very dangerous at certain levels, let's see if it can have any other effects. To encourage teens to limit their caffeine intake, some have made the claim that it can stunt growth. According to Dr. Marcie Shnider from livescience.org, “Caffeine is a stimulant, and therefore it may change their appetite. Adolescents gain half of their adult weight in their teenage years. If caffeine curbs their appetite in some way, it could affect their growth.” This suggests that caffeine won’t necessarily inhibit growth.  Again, moderation seems to be key so that caffeine doesn’t change teens’ appetites.

The main reason kids this age are drinking caffeine is to boost energy. Caffeine does stimulate parts of your brain causing an increase in energy. But, there are many alternative measures teens can take. A lot of foods can naturally give you the energy you crave so you don't need to rely on sugary drinks. Some examples are avocados, eggs, sweet potatoes and dark chocolate. Also, finding time to relax and get extra sleep is an obvious way to increase energy. High school students often find themselves overwhelmed with school work and activities throughout the day; however, it is very important to lighten your workload to ensure there is enough time in the day for sleep.

Focusing on the core issue of not getting enough sleep and having too much on your plate will be an immediate fix to any problem with energy. But for some people's lifestyles, that is not possible; therefore, caffeine becomes the quick fix that they reach for. So if that is you, reaching for your caffeine, remember the side effects, and be mindful of how much caffeine you consume!