Posted: 11/22/06


It seems that these days, soda is a thing of the past.

Today, most teenagers can be seen sporting Starbucks coffee containers, or hanging around coffee shops.

With both hot and iced coffees available, these caffeinated beverages are preferred year-round.

But while some may think that coffee is better than the soda or milkshakes that seemed to quickly become favorites of the past, the habit is actually just as bad.

Caffeine, although not harmful in small doses, isn’t really healthy. It can also become addictive, although it seems most teens don’t realize that; at least, if they do know, they seem unwilling to admit it.

When questioned, many teens admit to drinking coffee at least once a day, and some drink multiple cups.

The side-effects of all this could include insomnia, high-blood pressure, and nervousness, among other things.

On top of all that, the coffees that can be purchased are often topped with something sugary, such as caramel or chocolate. In fact, some coffees from Starbucks can contain 400 to 500 calories per cup. This, many say, is part of what is causing the obesity epidemic in America’s youth.

So what do nutritionists suggest? To combat the calories and sugar, switch to nonfat milk with sugar free syrups when possible.

As for the amount of caffeine actually consumed, well, there aren’t any guidelines as to how much should be taken in each day. However, 200 milligrams is the recommended dosage, as it’s too small to cause any serious harm.

Of course, that also means that 200 milligrams really isn’t all that much; it can be equated to a medium drink at a coffee shop, and some teens drink those a few times a day.

A lot of people, adults especially, wonder why teens have started drinking so much coffee in the first place.

The answers are almost always the same. It keeps them awake, and allows them to get more work done. Which is why most parents don’t seem to mind the sudden caffeine intake of their children; after all, their schoolwork is getting done.

But what it all seems to boil down to is that while coffee tastes good and can offer you the energy rush that you need, try not to consume too much of it. Not only could it cause you sleep problems after awhile, but it may even lead to an expanding waistline.

That doesn’t mean it’s bad, of course; as with all things, as long as you have them in moderation, you’re perfectly alright.





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