Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Caffeine

Coffee, tea, soft drinks, energy drinks, and chocolate are some of the ways that people intake caffeine every day. Personally I enjoy coffee and tea in large amounts. I started drinking coffee in high school and have not been able to/ don’t want to stop drinking it. I’m definitely addicted and would not think of tackling a Monday morning without it.  



Caffeine is the most widely used psychoactive drug and has a high rate of dependence. Regular caffeine drinkers know that it is needed to feel normal for the day. There is no evidence that moderately consuming caffeine can be seriously harmful. For some it can cause jitters or headaches, while others it may prevent jitters or headaches.  

There are some studies that show that caffeine can cause reproductive effects such as miscarriage. It also may increase the risk of heart issues if consumed in high amounts. Caffeine consumption may lead to other issues due to the way it is consumed. Soft drinks and energy drinks tend to have large amounts of sugar and other not so great ingredients in them. When consumed on a regular basis, it can be a factor in weight gain and other health problems. 

One article talks about the increase intake of caffeine for kids. Today kids are consuming more soda, coffee, and energy drinks than ever before. It is estimated that around 73% of children are consuming caffeine every day (Source). If kids are addicted to caffeine at a young age, they are most likely only going to increase their intake of it as they get older. 


KR

No comments:

Post a Comment