Dietary Caffeine and Young Children: Implications for Health

2013

William Warzak
[email protected]

Caffeine is widely regarded as the most commonly used psychoactive substance in the world (Fredholm et al 1999; James 2011; Miller 2005). It is a naturally occurring alkaloid that is commonly extracted for human consumption from a number of plant species, including coffee, tea, and cacao (Thomson and Schiess 2010). It is artificially added to a wide range of food and medicinal products because of its CNS arousal, motor-activating and reinforcing effects (Bramstedt 2007; Ferr? et al 2011); Nawrot et al 2003; Temple 2009). The caffeine content of beverages and foods varies considerably, even across products within the same category. For example, a typical 8 oz cut of coffee contains between 35 and 250 mg of caffeine depending on the brand, the beans, the roast, the grind and the method of preparation. Tea varies less, with 8 oz containing between 15 and 35 mg of caffeine. Soft drinks, a preferred item for children, contain between 36 adn 54 mg of caffeine per 12 oz serving.

Book Chapter

Consumers/Families, Professionals, Policymakers

N/A