“Caffeine triggers a release of
adrenaline, needlessly putting you into fight or flight mode.”
Caffeine is a stimulant that adults use to get through
their daily activities. But have the adults considered how destructive caffeine
can be to a child? All over the world, children drink caffeine at different
ages. There are a lot of negative effects with caffeine use. Should parents limit
the amount of caffeine adolescents consume? It can cause physical health
problems, mental health issues, and poor behavior.
“A caffeine boost even six hours before
bedtime can disrupt sleep later on that night.”
Caffeine
is a substance that exists naturally in certain plants. It can also be man-made
and added to food products. It stimulates the central nervous system and is a
diuretic, which increases urination” (The University of Tennessee Medical
Center, 2015). When too much caffeine is consumed the body is unclear as to its
use. Eventually overdosing on it could result in death.
“A clever move at this point (which
I didn't do) would have been to move to Japanese green tea next… [It] is generally not as strong in caffeine as
Chinese green tea. I have also found out that loose-leaf green tea is not as
strong as that in tea bags. You can also gradually decrease caffeine by soaking
the tea leaves less time each time, and using a smaller amount.”
Caffeine in the body of an adolescent can be
ten times stronger than in an adult. Caffeine Intoxication is an
over-stimulation of the central nervous system caused by a high dose of
caffeine” (Theravive, 2017).
“The benefits I experienced from quitting caffeine were unexpected, and much more
profound than I thought. Increased energy is the classic benefit but the
greatest change came with my moods. I hadn't realized that I had an underlying anxiety - caused by caffeine.”
They
can include restlessness, nervousness, excitement, insomnia, flushed face,
gastrointestinal disturbance, muscle twitching, rambling flow of thought and
speech, cardiac arrhythmia, periods of high energy, or mental tension.
“Coffee is an
expensive habit – especially if you’re buying Starbucks every day. A single $3
coffee per day costs you $1,095 per year. I can think of a few ways I’d
rather spend that money.”
There
are many other types of diseases that have been linked with the consumption of
caffeine like bone related diseases such as: including bone loss or
osteoporosis. Manifestations of caffeine toxicity include serious adverse
cardiovascular effects, seizures, and death (McStay, Meng, Pollard: 2015).
“The benefits of quitting coffee,
according to Cherniske, include: better nutrient absorption; strengthened
heart, arteries and adrenal glands; better mental abilities and ability to cope
with stress; increased energy, etc.”
Caffeine
has many effects on the mind, which can be long term or short term. Adolescents
with high caffeine intake also report increased difficulty sleeping or
disturbed slumber (Bayler, Mindell, Owens, 2014).
“Caffeine dehydrates the body and speeds up the
aging of the skin and kidneys.” (Ann Louise Gittleman) “Caffeine dehydrates the brain and body.” (Daniel Amen)
When
the body goes without regular sleep it can cause psychiatric disorders. According
to Bayler, Mindell, and Owens (2014), “higher caffeine consumption in youth
with major depressive disorder also reported increased anxiety with caffeine
use, while a decrease in caffeine consumption was associated with treatment of
depression.”
"Your body's ability to heal
is greater than anyone has permitted you to believe."
(rawforbeauty.com)
Caffeine
acts as a central and peripheral nervous system stimulant in both animals and
humans (Temple, 2009). Caffeine is thought to enhance athletic performance by strength
and decreasing perceived effort and fatigue (Temple, 2009). Now there is a
negative side to this. If the body is over stimulated by the amount of caffeine
that is consumed, it is not given a chance to burn the entire stimulant off. It can result in negative health effects and
behavior choices.
“Another surprising benefit from
quitting caffeine was that the work days seem to go quicker! At the same time
the weekends and my free time seems to last longer.”
From
20-100% of regular caffeine consumer’s exhibit signs of caffeine dependence; it
is considered to be a drug. Addiction can ruin a person’s life no matter the
age. Caffeine should be restricted (or taken in small amounts) for adolescents
so it does not become a problem in their life as an adult.
“I also found that my memory was
better and I could think clearer. I felt more intelligent off coffee than on
it.”
“I quit all forms of caffeine over a period
of two years - after which I got readdicted quite a few times but quickly quit
again, having already got a taste of the benefits.
I still sometimes have a cup or two
of caffeinated green tea if I haven't slept enough and feel very tired at work.
Luckily this is a rare occasion. [Update: I have now completely
quit both normal and decaf green tea as well and drink Aztec coffee, if anything, which I make by grinding
cocoa beans, cinnamon, chili and vanilla together.]”[i]
[i] Sources adapted from:
·
“The Negative
Effects of Caffeine on Adolescents” by Allena Kinker
·
“Benefits of
Quitting Caffeine” and other articles on this website (www.cheap-health-revolution.com
· “How I Quit Coffee Cold Turkey
& the First 7 Days Without Caffeine (Hint: It Sucked)” by Brandon
·
“8 Things That
Happen When You Quit Caffeine” by K. Aleisha Fetters
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