According to the National Coffee Association, young people are now the fastest growing population of coffee drinkers. Caffeine’s in our tea, coffee, chocolate, and soft drinks. Whether the consumption is solely for the social aspect, or to make up for lack of sleep and too much time studying, playing sports, and late nights, the numbers all say the same thing. Caffeine holds such a great part of our dietary lives that it’s important to know the pros and cons of this common substance.
Caffeine is a psychoactive stimulant, meaning it temporarily increases mental processes. It makes you more alert, increases energy levels and make it easier to centrate. It also has antioxidants that protect our cells from damaging the inside of body or skin.
To stay awake and alert many teens start drinking coffee or other caffeinated drinks. Studies show that caffeine can disrupt teen sleep cycles, which can lead to issues like aggression, poor moods, behavioral issues, and impulsiveness.
“Caffeine withdrawal can trigger headaches, lethargy, inability to concentrate, irritability, depression, mood changes, and in some cases: nausea, vomiting or achy flu-like symptoms,” says Roland Griffiths, caffeine expert and professor of psychology and neuroscience at John Hopkins University.
