Avoiding Caffeine, Energy Drinks

Posted by Kelly Anton
 

Hockey parents may rely on the legal, addictive stimulant of caffeine to get through their jobs, carpools and house chores—not to mention hockey practices, games and tournaments. But that doesn’t mean it’s OK for kids and teens to have copious amounts of caffeine in either coffee or energy drinks. Two recent studies review caffeine and energy drink consumption and uncover the risks to kids. Read these and you’ll take our advice: stick with water before the game, low-fat chocolate milk or sports drinks after.

• Caffeine: A recent study in the Journal of Pediatrics raises concern about kids and caffeine, including caffeine in coffee and soda. The study expressed concern that 75 percent of kids ages 5 to 12 drink caffeine daily, 8- to 12-year-olds consume the amount of caffeine equal to three 12-ounce cans of soda a day, 5- to 7-year-olds consume the amount of caffeine equal to one can of soda a day. But is that really a big deal? The Children’s Medical Center in Dallas, Texas, asked a pediatric sleep specialist and a dietitian about the effect caffeine has on kids’ sleep and weight. Take a look here.

• Energy drinks: A new report published in Pediatrics medical journal warns against the use of energy drinks in children and teens, citing heart palpitations, seizures, strokes and even sudden death as effects. According to the American Association of Poison Controls Centers, 331 energy-drink overdoses have occurred already in 2011—with 25 percent involving kids younger than 6. See highlights of the report here.

Fortunately, the realists at Children’s Medical Center say that caffeine is OK as an “occasional treat” and only routine use is a problem. According to Dr. Naqvi, “For kids who are having caffeine every day, parents should look for other substitutions they could make, such as water or low-fat milk.”