It is said that ignorance is bliss. But when it comes to our kids, I beg to differ. As parents we all try to keep our children away from everything that may be detrimental to their physical, psychological or emotional well-being. But it is often the little things we overlook that eventually harm their health. A few examples: Whenever you go out for a meal you order soft drinks for everyone, including the kids. You don’t mind that your child frequently buys colas from the school canteen. Doting grandparents often spoil their grandchildren with chocolates, soft drinks, ice creams and other treats while you look on. What’s wrong with that? You ask. The answer is CAFFEINE!
It is a common misconception that caffeine is found only in coffee. There are in fact, many other foods and beverages that contain significant amounts of caffeine. Resultantly, most parents are unknowingly giving their children this drug in plentiful amounts. Yes… DRUG! Did you know that caffeine is actually classified as a drug because it stimulates the central nervous system?! In fact Caffeine is one of the most popular and widely-used drugs in the world. We all take it in some form or the other on a daily basis. And unfortunately, so do our kids. In fact, children are consuming caffeine earlier and more often than ever before! The reason is that caffeinated food & drinks are ubiquitous these days. Caffeine is found in significant amounts in all the following:
- Sodas/Colas & other carbonated soft drinks
- Energy drinks
- Ice cream
- Chocolate
- Chocolate drinks
- Coffee
- Tea
- Iced tea
- Pain relievers & over the counter medicines
Caffeine occurs both naturally and may also be added to these items. The effects of caffeine are more pronounced in children than in adults because children have lower body weights than adults, and even small amounts of caffeine can have very intense effects. More than young children, it is the teenagers who are more likely to overdo their caffeine intake, because they often take caffeinated drinks, to stay awake during late-night study sessions, especially during exams. A low dose of caffeine may aid their concentration and task completion in the short run however, in the long run, regular doses of caffeine actually affects concentration negatively and will also make them nervous, anxious, fidgety, frustrated and short-tempered. Couple that with raging hormones and you have a walking talking time bomb on your hands! Probably the worst offenders in this regard are the various energy drinks currently available in the market.
These drinks are very harmful because they contain extremely large amounts of both sugar and caffeine. The crazy energy drink ads being shown these days should be more than an eye opener for us as to what is being offered…which is caffeine levels so high that you’re jumping off cliffs and airplanes and throwing your self in front of trains because of the rush it brings! These energy drink suppliers market themselves aggressively to our youth daring them to ‘take up the challenge’ so to speak.
Why Caffeine is bad for kids
- Caffeine disturbs sleep (Try giving your child a cola close to bedtime and you’ll know exactly what I mean)
- Caffeine is a diuretic, which means that instead of hydrating your kid’s body, it causes the child to urinate more, therefore making him more susceptible to dehydration. In fact, the more soda your child drinks in hot weather, the more water he will need to replace the lost fluids!
- Caffeine limits the body’s calcium absorption which is essential for strong bones & teeth
- Caffeinated beverages contain empty calories with absolutely no nutritional value which can lead to childhood obesity
-
Too many sweetened caffeinated drinks lead to tooth decay (Try putting a human tooth in a container of a fizzy drink and leave it for some time. The acidity of the fizzy drink shall soften the tooth and eventually dissolve it completely!)
- Caffeine can make it difficult for children to concentrate
- Caffeine is addictive and even children will experience withdrawal symptoms like headaches, mood swings, sleepiness when deprived from it
- It causes nervousness, restlessness, irritability, agitation and anxiety if taken in large amounts
- Too much caffeine can also cause nausea, vomiting & diarrhea
What you can do
It is up to you to limit the amount of caffeine your child consumes. The following steps can be taken in this regard:
- Offer them healthy choices like milk, juice and water in place of caffeinated beverages
-
Never allow them to drink energy drinks
- Allow chocolates & candies occasionally, and not on a regular basis
- Strictly enforce rules regarding their purchases from school canteens. Give them bottled water or juice from home instead
-
If they insist on a soft drink on a night out, then order 7UP as it contains no caffeine
- Purchase only beverages labeled “caffeine-free”
- Explain to them why these steps need to be taken and how caffeine is detrimental to their health
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