Teens, Caffeine and Energy Drinks

by Susan Davis on 11/06/09 at 6:41 pm

If you’re a parent, do you know what your kids are drinking?  We’re not talking about alcohol here - we’re talking about caffeine.

Some of the most popular drinks that teens are consuming are filled with mega-doses of caffeine and have descriptive names such as Amp, Full Throttle, Monster, Red Bull and Jolt.  Initially developed to give folks an extra boost of energy, they’re becoming the beverage of choice for many teens and adults who are substituting the mostly caffeine-infused flavored water for a good night’s sleep.  These instant-energy drinks have become a big business.  But are they healthy and wise to drink, even in moderation?

Pediatrics, the Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, released a study of caffeine-infused drinks and their effect on adolescents in their June issue.  The report, Adolescents Living the 24/7 Lifestyle: Effects of Caffeine and Technology on Sleep Duration and Daytime Functioning, measures adolescents’ intake of caffeinated drinks, their use of nighttime media-related technology and sleep patterns and behaviors.

Teenagers getting the requisite eight or more hours of sleep on school nights were able to function on a scale that was up to twice better than their peers, who were getting by on less sleep.  At least one-third of all teenagers reported falling asleep during school, and caffeine consumption tended to be 76 percent higher by those were not able to stay awake during classes.

The conclusion of the study indicates that many adolescents using multiple forms of technology late into the night – computers, television, cell phones, gaming consoles and PDAs – also consumed high amounts of caffeinated beverages. Subsequently, their ability to stay alert and fully functional throughout the next day was impaired by excessive daytime sleepiness.

Teens Will Do What they Feel they Need to Do

That said, teens are still going to try to fortify themselves with caffeinated beverages in order to stay awake at night to finish schoolwork, participate in online gaming, texting or other activities.  The cycle will continue during the day, as they continue consuming the loaded drinks to try to maintain awareness and functionality.

These drinks, however, contain so much more caffeine as compared to plain sodas and coffee, that the FDAhas required warning levels indicating that the regulated amount of caffeine is greatly exceeded. With 160 mg of caffeine in a product such as Red Bull, as compared to 17 mg in a normal 12 ounce soda, or 100 mg in an average cup of coffee, consuming two or more of these high powered energy drinks can lead to what researchers are calling caffeine intoxication, which causes similar symptoms to alcohol intoxication.

Nervousness, excitement, disorientation to impaired judgment, muscle spasms and hallucinations can all be symptoms of consuming too much caffeine. The anxiety associated with high amounts of these caffeinated drinks can also lead to a variety of problems that could require medical attention.

Although many schools no longer sell sodas or other caffeinated beverages on campus, that doesn’t prevent students from getting them at nearby convenience stores, coffee shops or fast food places.

Some students find themselves addicted to the caffeine rush they get and continue to guzzle them down, even when the need to stay awake has passed,  because they don’t like the “crash” that happens after the caffeine buzz fades.

There is a solution to all of this, however.  The obvious answer is to reach for water, milk or other decaffeinated drinks, cut down on nighttime media activities and go to sleep at a reasonable time.

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