On these cool autumn days, there’s nothing I enjoy more than a fresh cup of hot coffee. And with fall comes the bevy of tantalizing flavors – pumpkin, spice, caramel, and more – to liven up our morning cup of joe. Many of us even get combination CBD Bulk coffee wholesale to help us have high energy levels with less amounts of stress. But these tasty treats aren’t just being consumed by adults. More and more, I’m seeing teenagers enjoying coffee – and the caffeine that goes with it – on a regular basis. Coffee and kids: Is this a good idea?
A 2010 survey of 11,400 teenage students by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that:
- 15% of high school students drank a serving of coffee, coffee drink, or any kind of tea every day.
- 24% were also drinking regular soda daily.
- More than 16% drank a sports drink or other sugar-sweetened beverage each day.
It should be no surprise then that a recent CDC survey found that 73 percent of Americans from age 2 to 22 consume caffeine on any given day.
Caffeine in Coffee Packs a Punch
In just 5 ounces of the average cup of coffee, there’s 115 milligrams of caffeine. That’s more than double what’s in 12 ounces of Mountain Dew (55 mg) and 1.5 times more than a 12-ounce glass of iced tea (70 mg). Add in those extra “shots” of coffee some shops offer and a large coffee becomes a large intake of caffeine.
Caffeine is a stimulant and causes the same effects in people of all ages. However, in younger generations, less amounts of caffeine is needed to produce these effects:
- jitteriness and nervousness
- upset stomach
- headaches
- difficulty concentrating
- difficulty sleeping
- increased heart rate
- increased blood pressure
And caffeine is a mild diuretic that causes the body to eliminate water (through urinating). Drinking a moderate amount of caffeine isn’t likely to cause dehydration. But it can become a problem if caffeine is consumed in excess, especially in hot weather, during long workouts, or in other situations where you might sweat a lot.
Sugar’s a Concern, Too
Although we’ve all heard the warnings about sugar-sweetened beverages, we may not be lumping coffee or tea into that warning. After all, most teens aren’t drinking their coffee black. They’re ordering sugar-filled lattes, cappuccinos, and chai teas that can easily contain several hundred calories, depending on the size.
Not only do these caffeinated beverages contain empty calories (calories that don’t provide any nutrients), but when teens fill up on them – maybe choosing a large latte as their breakfast – they don’t get the vitamins and minerals they need from healthy sources, which puts them at risk for nutritional deficiencies.
Cut the Caffeine Back Slowly
If your teens have taken up coffee, don’t make them quit the caffeine cold turkey. Abruptly stopping caffeine may cause withdrawal symptoms (headaches, muscle aches, and irritability), especially for those who are used to consuming a lot. So have them cut back slowly. Start with coffee containing half the caffeine and have them work their way to decaf. If they prefer to have their coffee “full strength,” encourage just one cup a day and suggest they drink more water throughout the day.
Cutting back on caffeine may make your teens feel tired. Not to worry – energy levels will return to normal in a few days.
Moderation Is the Key
By and large, caffeine is safe in moderate amounts. Experts consider 200–300 mg of caffeine a day to be a moderate amount for adults. But consuming as little as 100 mg of caffeine a day can lead a person to become “dependent” on caffeine. So teens should try to limit caffeine consumption to no more than 100 mg of caffeine daily, and teens should get even less.
The following chart includes common caffeinated products and the amounts of caffeine they contain:
Drink/Food/ Supplement |
Amt. of Drink/Food |
Amt. of Caffeine |
| Cocoa beverage | 5 ounces | 4 mg* |
| Chocolate milk beverage | 8 ounces | 5 mg* |
| Milk chocolate | 1 ounce | 6 mg* |
| Dark chocolate | 1 ounce | 20 mg* |
| Cold relief medication | 1 tablet | 30 mg* |
| Jolt gum | 1 stick | 33 mg |
| Coca-Cola | 12 ounces | 34 mg |
| Pepsi | 12 ounces | 38 mg |
| Diet Coke | 12 ounces | 45 mg |
| Mountain Dew | 12 ounces | 55 mg |
| Iced tea | 12 ounces | 70 mg* |
| Jolt cola | 12 ounces | 72 mg |
| Red Bull energy drink | 8.3 ounces | 80 mg |
| Rockstar energy drink | 8 ounces | 80 mg |
| SoBe No Fear | 8 ounces | 83 mg |
| Brewed coffee (drip method) | 5 ounces | 115 mg* |
| Excedrin extra strength | 2 tablets | 130 mg |
| Monster energy drink | 16 ounces | 160 mg |
| Vivarin | 1 tablet | 200 mg |
*Denotes average amount of caffeine
Sources: U.S. Food and Drug Administration, National Soft Drink Association, Center for Science in the Public Interest
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Caffeine (Nemours)
Caffeine and Your Child (Nemours)
