HEALTH

According to the New York Daily News, a new study has been published by the Journal of Pediatrics showing that 75 percent of children ages 5-12 drink caffeine. Surprising, right?

When most people hear caffeine, they think of coffee. But most kids under the age of 12 are certainly not spending all their allowance on vanilla lattes at Starbucks or enjoying a cup of joe in the morning with the ‘rents. In fact, the leading drink that is consumed by these children is soda, which is loaded with caffeine.

Guidelines for caffeine in the US are outdated and no longer relevant, according to New York Daily News. But, Canadian guidelines suggest no more than 85 milligrams per day for 12-year-olds. That’s far off the 109 milligrams reportedly consumed by 8- to 12-year-olds and certainly does not match up with the 52 milligrams that 5- to 7-year-olds imbibe.

Caffeine can have major negative effects on your health. Researchers have found that, like adults, the more caffeine consumed by children, the less sleep they get. It can also affect behavior. We’ve all experienced the ‘sugar buzz’ that occurs after consuming a large soda. In some kids, this buzz can lead to poor behavior, and coupled with less sleep, puts most in a bad mood and affects their ability to learn in school.

Unfortunately, it’s not just kids ages 5-12 that are affected negatively by caffeine. The same bad effects are visible in teens as well. Plus, your average can of Coke has about 140 calories, with zero nutritional value. So, what can you do? Replace your can of soda with a glass of water. Normal H20 will keep you hydrated, quench your thirst and boasts zero milligrams of caffeine. No more crashing after that caffeine buzz and sugar rush. Soon you’ll find that it’s much more refreshing than all those sugary colas.

P.S. Need something fizzy? We like seltzer water flavored with lemon or a drop of vanilla extract for a sweet treat. Delicious!

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