Should Teens Limit Their Caffeine Intake?
After long nights of studying or working, it is normal for our bodies to feel drained the next morning. In response to this feeling, many teens believe that it is necessary to drink large amounts of caffeine to sustain their bodies for the rest of the day. Additionally, when staying up late to finish a project or presentation, students are tempted by the thought that energy drinks will refuel them, enabling them to sacrifice sleep to spend extra time on their work. According to the Taylor Hooten Foundation, which raises awareness around the dangers that steroids and other performance-enhancing substances pose to young people, “Globally, energy drinks are typically attractive to young people. In one study, 20 percent of respondents between the ages of 21 and 30 had used energy drinks in high school or college to stay awake longer to study or to write a paper and 70 percent of respondents knew someone who had used an energy drink to stay awake longer to study or work” (Taylor Hooton Foundation). These statistics point to the fact that a substantial number of high school students and college students rely on caffeinated drinks, including coffee and energy drinks, to study.
However, developing a habit of constantly drinking large amounts of coffee, tea, or energy drinks can harm and damage our bodies more than we realize. Making caffeine a part of our routine can be dangerous; when our bodies consume something over and over again, it begins to become immune to it and will need even more of that substance to achieve the same effect. Better Health Channel reports that it is possible to develop a tolerance to caffeine, just like other drugs. When we are continually ingesting large amounts of caffeine in order to sustain our bodies, we may become too dependent on caffeine to stay awake and even function. It is okay to drink coffee in moderation. However, the amount that one should consume is dependent on their own body. Everybody is different, so this means that everyone will have different reactions and tolerations to caffeine.
Young people should especially pay close attention to how they feel emotionally and physically after drinking coffee or other energy drinks. According to the British Heart Foundation, “[S]ome people are more sensitive to caffeine than others, and, for some, caffeine can trigger heart palpitations (the sensation of feeling your heart beating, whether that is normally, quickly, slowly or irregularly; some people describe feeling their heart pounding or fluttering)” (British Heart Foundation). The Taylor Hooten Foundation also notes that “ jitters, insomnia, irregular heartbeats, sweating, nervousness or seizure” can also occur after significant consumption of caffeine. It would be sensible to limit intake of certain drinks if you are sensitive to caffeine and feel anxious after consuming it, or experience other such symptoms. All teenagers should be aware that their health and energy depend on combining a well-balanced diet with adequate sleep–getting proper nutrition and rest will greatly curb the need to over rely on energy drinks and caffeine.
Works Cited
“Caffeine.” Better Health Channel, https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/caffeine. Accessed 3 January 2025.
“Caffeine and atrial fibrillation - Heart Matters magazine - BHF.” British Heart Foundation, https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/nutrition/ask-the-expert/caffeine-and-atrial-fibrillation. Accessed 3 January 2025.
Taylor Hooton Foundation. “Taylor Hooton Foundation.” Taylor Hooton Foundation, Taylor Hooton Foundation, 2004, https://taylorhooton.org/anabolic-steroids/. Accessed 3 January 2025.
