The underestimated danger of excessive caffeine
Energy drinks have soared in popularity over recent years, not only in the US but globally. However, a big part of the energy drink consumers are children and young individuals up to 25, which is a cause for concern.
Jan 12, 2024 | updated: 10:48 AM EST, January 13, 2024
Energy drinks are fizzy, non-alcoholic beverages that typically contain high amounts of caffeine and sugar, along with other ingredients, often synthetic, like inositol, acidity regulators, carbon dioxide, taurine, or B vitamins.
How much caffeine is safe for daily consumption?
It's critical to note that caffeine consumption should not exceed roughly 0.9 ounces per day for healthy adults. According to other authors, including the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), this could extend to 0.9-1 ounces daily. However, the limit for children is no more than 0.09 ounces per kilogram of body weight in a day.
Remember that "excessive caffeine can trigger apoptosis in bone-forming cells and deplete the body of calcium and magnesium."
Caffeine's impact on children and adolescents with eating disorders
The doctor pointed out that "children and adolescents with eating disorders, especially those with anorexia nervosa, may regularly consume substantial amounts of caffeine to fight the fatigue from calorie restriction, suppress hunger, and loosen stools."
