Column: Essex County: Raising the next generation of energizer bunnies

Walking into any convenience store these days you see cases of energy drinks for sale. Sleek branding tailored for their special market: the athletes, the gear heads, the no-nonsense, the trendy. What don't we have? A minimum age to purchase or consume, a sobering cause for concern. 50% of Essex County students in grades 7-12 report drinking energy drinks in the past month, some of them multiple times per day. Studies in teens have a mixed bag of findings when it comes to what is safe consumption. The bulk of research recommends no caffeine, but some allow up to 100mg/day (the conflict here may be due to study funding and sponsorship of professional teen athletes). The safe daily caffeine intake for youth 12 and under = 0mg. As adults, we have become quite dependent on coffee (where a cup can be up to 100mg). I am guilty of using an extra cup to squeeze in one more project on a Sunday afternoon or boost my charisma for a presentation. The adult brain, however, is all about reshaping and sustaining phases- safe consumption for us is up to 400mg/day. Brain activity shifts patterns throughout adolescence and into adulthood, each phase reacting differently to the effects of caffeine. For kiddos, a small dose (2.5 mg), can help with attention, focus, and physical performance. However, energy drinks have well over 120mg/can. While some of the cans have gotten smaller- the amount of caffeine per can is on the rise. Lab testing has shown that oftentimes, the label is not reflective of what's actually in the can- there is often much more. There are also herbs and amino acids in higher than healthy proportions for young blood vessels. Given the inconsistency in production, it's hard for anyone, really, to regulate responsible use. Negative childhood effects of caffeine on the body include nutrient deficiency, increased blood pressure, stomach upset, with strong links to bedwetting and asthma. The most common problem is the sleep deficits. Caffeine will delay, decrease, and diminish sleep–and then leave kids groggy in the morning! The interaction of caffeine in the brain will increase mood swings and depression when consumed more than 3x/wk. Kids will display more impulsive behavior and take greater risks. More and more studies tie energy drinks to misconduct behaviors- preventing youth from learning and getting them in unnecessary trouble. So what do we do if we've already given our kids rocket fuel in a can? First of all- don't feel bad! We don't know what we don't know. Being aware will help you make better decisions. If your kid asks for an energy drink, calmly explain why you are concerned with use, and offer a fun, decaffeinated alternative. If you notice they are tired, new bedtime or morning routines may be helpful (we can help with that!), and monitor water intake. Dehydration has a sneaky way of showing up like fatigue. Your pediatrician is your go to resource if fatigue, focus, and mood changes don't resolve with eliminating caffeine from your child's diet. – The Prevention Team

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Column: Essex County: Raising the next generation of energizer bunnies

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