A new study reports that even though the target market for energy drinks are usually teens and young adults, more than 40 percent of energy drink related reports to U.S. poison control centers in a three-year period involved children under the age of 6, said study author Dr. Steven Lipshultz, pediatrician-in-chief at Children’s Hospital of Michegan in Detroit.
More and more children are being exposed to energy drinks, and it is within the walls of their own home. They are finding them in their own refrigerators and cupboards. Most energy drinks contain upwards of 400 mg of caffeine compared to 100 – 150 mg in an average cup of coffee. These high amounts of caffeine cosumed by children can and have caused heart issues and seizures.
Lipshultz reports that “poisoning by caffeine can occur at levels higher than 400 mg a day in adults and above 100 mg a day in teens. For children under 12, 2.5 milligrams per every 2.2 pounds of body weight can be a danger.”
These findings point to the need for parents, health professionals, coaches and teachers to continue their efforts to reduce the marketing and availability of energy drinks to children, and to encourage the consumption of water as a beverage.
Some adults may want to heed this advice as well!
Do you have energy drinks in your home? How old do you think a child should be to drink energy drinks?
