Having coffee or an energy drink every morning is a normal occurrence for millions of Americans, but the consequences of having that drink are likely never considered. Not everyone knows the addiction that can spring from having caffeine every day and the lasting effects that can linger from the habit.
Coffee is a household staple, with three in four Americans drinking it every day, roughly 73% of the U.S. population. Caffeine is being consumed in massive amounts because people are trying to stay awake, but consuming coffee on a daily basis leads to poor health. According to Mayo Clinic, overconsumption of coffee can contribute to Parkinson’s disease, Type 2 diabetes and even liver disease and cancer. High caffeine intake can even be linked to short-term effects such as heartburn, difficulty sleeping and anxiety.
Consuming too much of anything can have negative impacts on a person’s health. Caffeine blocks the adenosine receptor site, where it binds itself into the site. This effectively inhibits the reception of adenosine, which disables the brain to slow nerve activity.
When a teenager drinks coffee, caffeine flows through their body and affects their brain, making them more alert and awake. Teens who over consume caffeine can be known to exhibit symptoms like mood swings and fallouts after the caffeine wears off, leading to a rise in stress and exhaustion. Once chronic coffee withdrawal symptoms start to take effect in teenagers’ lives, their performance in school, work and extracurriculars can become negatively impacted. This negative impact can have lifelong effects, as caffeine can interfere with an adolescent’s sleep habits, blood pressure and anxiety levels.
Caffeine is also consumed through energy drinks, which are widely popular among adolescents. Energy drink marketing campaigns across social media have been known to target the youth as they are the primary consumers of social networking platforms. On average, energy drinks contain 80-150 mg of caffeine, which provides a boost of energy and concentration. According to the National Library of Medicine, 73% of US teenagers aged 12 to 18 consumed 100 or more milligrams of caffeine per day. Consumers of that age should only consume 100 mg of caffeine per day, but a large percentage of adolescents that age consume more than the recommended amount.
A majority of teens drink coffee not for the function, but instead for the aesthetic to the point where it can even be seen as a daily accessory. Coffee is also considered to be a social element that helps connect teenagers to their peers or make them feel more mature, as coffee is largely consumed by adults. Because of these contributing factors, caffeine has begun to rise in consumption among teens leading to adverse effects.
A poll done by C.S Mott Children’s Hospital demonstrates that one in four parents reported their kids consuming caffeine everyday, with 23% of teens claiming it to be their favorite product. Coffee and energy drinks are widely popular among teenagers as a result of places like Starbucks that are popular among youth. The poll also reports that most parents might not even be aware of how much caffeine their child is consuming due to it being hidden in things like snacks, sodas and bars that contain a considerable amount of caffeine. Overconsumption of caffeine among teens can lead to effects such as irritability, nausea and even cardiovascular issues. Those who consume caffeine moderately have also shown to have better long term sleep and bone health compared to those who consume caffeine in large amounts.
Too much of any product can have adverse effects on one’s health, especially when it is addictive. For example, an overindulgence of caffeine leads to issues with sleep, cardiovascular and mental health. Having adequate knowledge of nutrition can better improve a person’s health, and people who consume less caffeine have proven to have better health. Caffeine is something that needs to be consumed in moderation because of its negative impacts on health.
