02/10/2025
From the article:
The recommendations clearly state that “kids should avoid drinking beverages with any amount of , including tea, coffee, and energy drinks,” noting that there’s uncertainty about safe levels of caffeine in kids and teens.
There is currently no federal guidance on how much caffeine is safe for kids and teens, although the Food and Drug Administration says that most healthy adults can safely have up to 400 milligrams of caffeine a day.
The guidance has raised a lot of questions about the impact of caffeine on kids, plus where teens are most likely to encounter it. Here’s what you need to know.
How does caffeine impact kids?
Caffeine is a stimulant that occurs naturally in more than 60 plants, including coffee beans, tea leaves, and kola nuts, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. But there are also synthetic forms of caffeine that are added to certain foods and drinks, including energy drinks.
“Caffeine has addictive properties,” says Jamie Alan, PhD, an associate professor of pharmacology and toxicology at Michigan State University. “Too much caffeine can cause sleep issues, high blood pressure, and anxiety. Caffeine withdrawal is also no fun. That can cause headaches.”
The biggest concern with caffeine and kids is that many beverages marketed to teens contain large amounts of caffeine. “Think 200 to 300 milligrams,” Alan says. “That amount is large, even for adults.”
Having large amounts of caffeine can cause these symptoms, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine:
and
Fast heart rate
New research released by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Heart Association, and other prominent healthcare organizations suggests that children ages 18 and younger stick to milk and water — limiting their intake of 100% juice, as well as plant-based and flavored milks. Here's what...
