All too frequently, headlines tout the benefits of caffeine one day and the perils the next. Caffeine is a naturally occurring component of many foods and beverages that we consume every day, including tea, coffee, soda, chocolate and energy drinks.
Here are 5 facts you didn’t know about caffeine:
1. Youngsters are using caffeine at a growing rate. Children and adolescents are the fastest-growing population of caffeine users, with an increase of 70% in the past 30 years.
2. Although caffeine is one of the most studied food ingredients and has a long history of safety,there are very few clinical long-term studies conducted with respect to children. The media, legislators, special interest groups and some in the medical community state that there are significant effects regarding the consumption of caffeine by children. Studies have shown that caffeine has a clear beneficial effect on attention in adults; however, additional research is required to determine the effects of caffeine use by children. Consumption of caffeine by children is usually reported by parents and teachers, increasing inaccuracies in results.
3. The amount of caffeine found in foods and beverages varies considerably from source to source.For example, a typical 8-oz cup of coffee contains between 35 and 250mg of caffeine, depending on the brand, beans, roast, grind and method of preparation.
4. Caffeine affects us all uniquely. The effects of caffeine vary depending on the amount consumed, how quickly an individual’s body can remove it from its systemand prior exposure to caffeine as the body tends to build a tolerance to the substance over time.
5. The FDA and Health Canada both agree on the maximum amount of caffeine adults should have per day. The FDA recommends 400mg/day for adults as the maximum daily intake for moderate consumption, but no limits are cited for children.Health Canada also set the recommended adult maximum daily intake at 400mg/day, but went further and set a recommended maximum daily intake for children 4–6 years of age (45mg/day), 7–9 years of age (62.5mg/day) and 10–12 years of age (85mg/day).
We at Vemma do not promote the consumption of our energy drink products by consumers under the age of 18. We are proud to offer Vemma NEXT, a non-caffeinated product to bridge the nutritional gaps in your child’s diet.
Original source: http://news.vemma.com/2014/07/18/5-facts-didnt-know-caffeine/
