Caffeine & Energy Boosting Drugs / Question
Published: August 9, 2001
Dear TeenHealthFX,
I am 13 years old and sort of hooked on coffee. Not just coffee, but espresso and cappuccino too. I always drink my coffee with soymilk instead of cream, but is it unhealthy to have a cup a day at my age?
Signed: 13 & Hooked On Coffee
Dear 13 & Hooked On Coffee,
Too much caffeine has the same effect on someone your age as it would have on an older person. Caffeine is a chemical compound similar to the hormone adrenaline. It stimulates the activity of the brain, heart, kidneys and intestines. Too much caffeine can make you feel or have:
- Anxious
- Irritable
- Restless
- Dizzy
- Difficulty Concentrating
- Upset Stomach
- Headaches
- Difficulty Sleeping
Consuming too much caffeine over time can lead to dependence. If you stop consuming it you could experience withdrawal symptoms such as sleepiness, headache, and feeling over tired. Like other drugs, regular use of caffeine can lead to tolerance. For example someone who is used to caffeine could drink several cups of coffee and feel little effect, whereas a person who is not a regular coffee drinker may feel "hyper" after one cup. You may also find that one cup in the morning does not do it anymore, and now you need two or three to get going.
There has been a lot of research on coffee's impact on health and disease. Researchers have looked at a wide variety of illness and how they are affected by different amounts caffeine intake. While none of the research has demonstrated any conclusive link, the information suggests that you should limit the amount of caffeine you consume.
While we are taking about research, studies show that American teenagers often do not get enough sleep. Drinking caffeine in the evening will contribute to the problem.
By using soymilk instead of cream you may save on some calories but you are still consuming the same amount of caffeine. For the average person, one or two six-ounce cups of caffeine-containing coffee or twenty ounces of caffeinated soft drinks are considered reasonable. If you are way over this amount you will need to cut back gradually to avoid the withdrawal effects.
You might find it interesting to know that a tiny cup of espresso, contrary to popular belief, contains less caffeine than the average cup of coffee. A single espresso has half to two-thirds the amount of caffeine as a regular cup of coffee.
Signed: TeenHealthFX
Among male drivers between 15 and 20 years of age who were involved in fatal crashes in 2005, 38% were speeding at the time of the crash and 24% had been drinking.
