Too Much Coffee is Not Healthy for Teenagers

Starbucks and Hershey's may have signed a deal recently to improve the products for both of them, but doctors and scientists are more concerned about the amount of coffee products being consumed by younger people. 4 out of 5 Americans depend on caffeine to get them through their day. Whether they take the product in the form of energy drinks, coffee, tea, or sodas such as Pepsi or Mountain Dew

Caffeine in small amounts can boost alertness, raise the pulse rate. It also acts as a diuretic so that people consuming it will pass more water than they normally would. It can also aggravate acid in the stomach.

Large amounts of caffeine pose a more pressing problem. Anxiety can be worsened and it can cause feelings of restlessness and sleeplessness. Longterm, the most popular drug in the world can reduce both the quality and duration of sleep, worsen long-term anxiety and may cause depression.

bCaffeine is an addictive drug and some of the more severe effects come from withdrawal. In fact, it is the most popular mind-altering substance in the world. A headache is the most common symptom experienced by those who go off the drug for any length of time and a cup of coffee, tea or a glass of soda can bring about quick relief. Tiredness, increased irritability and feelings of depression can result in much the same way that long-time use of the drug can bring about.

The effects of caffeine is not the only thing that worries scientists about the increased popularity of coffee drinks among the young. While black coffee contains little coffee and is rich in anti-oxidants, many of the drinks consumed are the lattes or cappuccinos which are high in calories and fat. Some caffeinated beverages contain more calories than a Big Mac from Mcdonalds. One of the reasons for the popularity of the beverage among teens may be that it makes them feel more mature. Sodas, which may be seen as juvenile or mature, are replaced by coffee by teens trying to appear more adult. Teenagers and young adults will sometimes drink cups of coffee in lieu of eating lunch. Starbucks, one of the leading manufacturers of coffee products in the country, which initially did not target children says that it is evaluating its marketing strategies to appeal to make sure all it products are oppropriate for their customers.

Souces:

http://www.cyh.com/HealthTopics/HealthTopicDetails.aspx?p=240&np=158&id=2003

Caffeine, Calories a concern among Nutritionists. Joseph Ax. The Daily Item. Sunbury, July 12, 2007

http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/bb/neuro/neuro99/web3/Howard.html