Dr. Zaslow tells Parents.com too much caffeine not advisable for kids. Says it has adverse effects on kids.
Article Link: Panera Drink Discontinued After Teen Hospitalization (parents.com)
Panera Bread is facing another lawsuit over its Charged Lemonade, a highly caffeinated drink the company announced it is now discontinuing. This news is an opportunity to call attention to the potential dangers of caffeine consumption in children and teens.
The latest lawsuit comes after Luke Adams, an 18-year-old from Pennsylvania, allegedly went into cardiac arrest hours after consuming a large Mango Yuzu Citrus Charged Lemonade. He purchased the drink from a Panera Bread in Monroeville, Pennsylvania, according to court documents filed by Adams’ family on May 20, 2024.
While caffeine may provide a jolt to a tired teen or child, it’s important to remember children can also gain energy from food. “The body needs energy in the form of carbohydrates and other dietary fuel sources to grow, learn, and fuel physical activity, which is best provided through balanced nutrition,” says Tracy Zaslow, MD, a board-certified pediatrician and pediatric sports medicine specialist at Cedars-Sinai Kerlan-Jobe Institute.
Energy drinks often provide carbohydrates, says Dr. Zaslow, “but the primary source of energy in these drinks is caffeine, which may make children and teens feel more awake and alert but does not provide the nutrition to perform.”
And Dr. Zaslow cautions that too much caffeine can also cause symptoms including:
- Headache
- Insomnia
- Nervousness
- Irritability
- Frequent urination or inability to control urination
- Fast heartbeat
- Muscle tremors
n the new study published in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine, the researchers said physical activity reduces the risk of acquiring chronic illness and infection as well as promoting longevity.
Current U.S. guidelines, which haven’t been updated since 2018 (and scheduled to be updated in 2028), say adults should engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity (like brisk walking) or 75 minutes of vigorous activity (like jogging) per week.
The authors pointed out most of the existing evidence regarding health benefits of exercise came from studies in which participants self-reported physical activity. Few data points existed regarding the relationship between health and steps.
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