Caffeine Poisoning - The Dangers In Kids Drinks

CAFFEINE POISIONING
 
The Dangers In Kids Drinks
Two Billion - That is the number of energy drinks consumed in 2006. It is anticipated that that number will jump by more than 60% this year.
So What? you say. From energy drinks to sugary caffeine concoctions, kids are consuming more caffeine than ever before.
With names like Rock Star, Monster, Pimp Juice,WErecker Fuel, Whoop Ass and Killer Buzz, they are tempting our kids with a lure of an instant yet legal over the counter jolt.
"They get you really hyped up" says one 8th grader from California.
These high-dose sugary caffine drinks are already over a $4.9 billion dollar industry. Over 100 new drinks a year are trying to capatalize on this market. Many have double or triple the amount of caffine as in the traditional sodas.
While our kids, some as young as middle schoolers are getting their buzz. they are also getting hooked.
Caffeine can have serious consequences for growing bodies. In St. Louis one doctor notes having treated more and more young people with symptons of dizziness and fainting. Tests have shown the kids are endding up dehydrated because they are drinking nothing but caffeinated beverages all day.
The ding on caffeine can have scary effects. At very high doses the stimulant can cause a racing heart rate, pulpitations and even seizures.
One teen from Georgia found himself in the ER after consuming only 3/4 of a can of a drink called "Cocaine". (This drink is currently been suspended by the FDA. The manufacturer just renamed it "Censored" and started selling it again.) So much for controls. This drink contained over 280 mg of caffeine. At first they thought he was suffering from a drug overdose. However, blood and urine tests indicated caffeine poisioning.
The beverage makers claim that they don't market for kids yet they seem to advert ize everywhere teens seem to hang out, such as skateboarding events and concerts. A visit to My Space will show poses of teens next to towers of their favorite beverages. On My Tube you can find videos of kids shot-gunning energy drinks. (That is punching a hole in the bottom of the can and chugging it in one gulp.) Teen boys seem to be the extremists even holding competitions to see who could chug the most and how quickly.
Is it any surprise that ER's, physicians and toxicologists around the country are noticing increases in caffeine related symptoms?
Of course if you can't drink it you can always swallow it as a caffeine pill like Vivarin and No-Doze which are easily accesssible. Last November a 19 year old had a heart attack and died after taking nearly two dozen No-Doze tablets to stay awake for his night shift job.
Caffeine poisioning isn't the only concern. With childhood obesity a national epidemic, doctors are dismayed to see the new ways kids find to drink empty calories. ( Calories taken that have no substantial nutritional benefits )
While kids overdo calories and take in much to much caffeine, statistics show nearly 1/2 of the kids 11-17 don't get enough sleep and are using caffeine in some form to keep going.
A study at Ohio State University found 7th,8th and 9th graders who drink a lot of caffeine are up later at night and are more tired during the day than their peers. Nearly 30% fall asleep in class at least once a week.
Overdoing it at crunch time like exams week can back fire on you also as downing several energy drinks can have the opposite effect. Your ability to consentrate is actually deminished. You become so over vigilant that you actually have a harder time processing info that comes to you.
While many aduylts can drink as much as 300 mg of caffeine a day without any significant side effects, the stimulant can be much harsher on kids. Also some energy drinks contain ingredients such as taurine and guarana which accelerate the caffeine effects.
Several of the more common energy drinks actually include ingredients that are banned in numerous European countries because of their possible harmful effects.The ingredients in question are Glucuronolactone and Aspartame ( Aspartame is a product that is also used in numerous sugar free products).
So what is a safe amount of caffeine in a child or teen? Many pediatricians will tell you that any cafeine is to much and that children should have none. In fact statistics have shown 100 mg of caffeine a day can be linked to high blood pressure in kids, particularly African Americans.
What are the signs I should look for to tell me my teen has overdone it? Nervouseness, anxiety, insomnia, shaking, nausea and diarrehea. An over caffinated kid can also exhibit symptoms associated with ADHD.
How can I tell if my teen has developed a caffine habit? See what happens if the drinks are not available for 24 hours. If they asppear sleepy or lethargic or get headaches it' time to cut back.
There is some GOOD NEWS. This is a habit that can be cut back cold turkey without much problems. If you or your child just need that extra energy you should look into a product called A.C.T. (Advanced Cell Therapy). This product is in fact a healthy energy drink with no caffeine and only 4 gm of sugar which is derived from the fruit in the mix. It contains all natural ingredients and has no artificially added ingredients. This product provides the cells of the body the nutritients they need to work at there maximum capacity level. You can find out more about this product by visiting the site DrinkACT.com. The company manufacturer is M2C Global and they are located in Carrollton, Texas.