People may drink beverages containing caffeine to relieve or prevent drowsiness and to improve cognitive performance. The best-known source of caffeine is the coffee bean, the seed of the Coffea plant. It is found in the seeds, fruits, nuts, or leaves of a number of plants native to Africa, East Asia and South America, and helps to protect them against herbivores and from competition by preventing the germination of nearby seeds, as well as encouraging consumption by select animals such as honey bees. Ĭaffeine is a bitter, white crystalline purine, a methylxanthine alkaloid, and is chemically related to the adenine and guanine bases of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA). Caffeine also increases cyclic AMP levels through nonselective inhibition of phosphodiesterase. Caffeine acts by blocking binding of adenosine to the adenosine A 1 receptor, which enhances release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. It is used as a cognitive enhancer, increasing alertness and attentional performance.
*Chocolate and chocolate containing foods are not a major source of caffeine.Caffeine is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant of the methylxanthine class. Caffeine in Selected Foods and Beverages Food If it's energy your kids are seeking, getting to bed earlier or taking a short nap is more productive than consuming caffeine that offers pep for a short time, but may interfere with sleep later that evening. Children and adolescents should completely avoid these products. Steer clear of foods with added caffeine. Since coffee, tea, energy drinks and soft drinks contribute more caffeine to the diet than foods and other beverages, limiting these beverages is a good place to start. For adults, the FDA has cited 400 milligrams a day or the equivalent of 4 to 5 cups of coffee as safe, and this is considered to be the maximum amount that may be included in a healthy eating pattern, according to the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The AAP also discourages the use of caffeine and other stimulants by older children and adolescents. However, the “ Healthy Beverage Recommendations”, which were developed by several leading health organizations, including the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the American Academy of Pediatrics, indicate that children who are five years old and younger should avoid caffeinated beverages. Food and Drug Administration has not set guidelines for safe caffeine consumption for children. Unfortunately, this can create a cycle of being unable to sleep because of the effects of caffeine, consuming more caffeine to fight fatigue from lack of sleep and then having trouble falling asleep again. If your teen carries a heavy academic load, caffeine-containing foods and beverages may be tempting to help improve concentration during school and then again at night to stay up late for studying.
Some teens find that caffeine helps them perform better in school and on tests. Teens may deliberately consume large amounts. Since caffeine is in common beverages including colas and teas, parents and others may unknowingly offer excessive amounts of caffeine to children. In fact, one study found that kids who consumed the most caffeine slept the fewest hours. But what if you have more than just a little? In large doses, caffeine may cause irritability, impaired calcium metabolism, anxiety, rapid heart rate, elevated blood pressure and sleep problems. In small doses, caffeine may help people feel more alert, awake or energetic. Approximately 75% of children, adolescents and young adults in the United States consume caffeine, a compound that stimulates the central nervous system. KatarzynaBialasiewicz/iStock/Getty Images Plus/Getty ImagesĬaffeine is not just in in sodas, coffee, tea and energy drinks - more and more “wired” food products, such as gum, jelly beans, sunflower seeds, marshmallows and instant oatmeal are on the market today.
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