This week, the Irish media has been covering 2 cardiac arrests from overconsumption of caffeine in enery drinks. However, this is not completely new and other countries have raised concerns recently. Let’s look at the science:
Caffeine is the most widely consumed drug on the planet. Yes, it’s a drug. It’s a “psychostimulant” and is found in coffee, tea, chocolate, carbonated sodas, energy drinks, various foods, and powder and tablet forms (including dietary supplements, especially those that are supposed help with better workouts or weight loss!). In normal doses, caffeine is just fine for most healthy adults. But at excessive levels, it can cause vomiting, electrolyte disturbance, heart arrhythmia, anxiety/confusion, and even seizures.
What about Coffee Enema?
Don’t get a coffee enema. There is no evidence that it does any real good but you can absorb caffeine through your rectum – so if you need to avoid or limit caffeine for medical reasons, it’s another good reason (besides common sense) to skip a coffee enema!
Caffeine is really well absorbed from the upper part of the gut – so completely aborbed within 30-60 minutes (even if taken with food) and reaches all parts of the body. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding – yes, caffeine can cross the placenta and into breastmilk. Caffeine in Pregnancy
So, what are some fast facts on energy drinks that a savvy cosumer – or parent – should know?
When it comes to energy drinks, Prime Energy is, well, the prime example. As noted on Prime’s own website: the products are not recommended for those under 18 – despite the fact that the intensive online marketing campaigns target under 18s. Don’t believe me, watch the TikTok ad? Prime Energy contains 140mg of caffeine (more than a cup of coffee) (If sourced online, versions of the drink have been found to contain as much as 200mg of caffeine per can.)
While Prime Energy is sugar free, many of the other energy drinks on supermarket shelves are not – containing anywhere from 1 teaspoon of sugar to a whopping 17 teaspoons in 1 can! (69 grams of sugar!)
How much caffeine can your child have? Expert recommendations are no caffeine under age 12. From age 12 – 17, if it can’t be avoided, limit to only 100 mg/day, and then only if there are no side effects.
Unique Risks To Teens/young Adults
Energy Drinks have 2 unique risks for teens and young adults. Firstly, they are “hyperpalatable” which means they are really tasty to the point they activate reward centre of the brain, creating craving for more and more that can be a factor in drinking too much or too often. Second, mixing energy drinks with alcohol can lead to caffeine temporarily masking signs of intoxication. This can lead to dangerously high levels of alcohol consumption/alcohol poisoning. The problem led widespread bans of these drinks globally 2009-2012. Examples included original FourLoko preparations that originally had taurine, caffeine, and alcohol all mixed together in one can. However, mixing drinks together (vodka and Red Bull, for example) runs the same risk, particulary in young, vulnerable, peer-pressured, or inexperienced drinkers.
What if your child/teen is consuming caffeine and experiencing side effects? They can stop drinking it but you wouldn’t be surprised to learn that, if they have been on it for weeks, like adults, they can get withdrawals! Weaning/reducing the amount of caffeine slowly over about 4 weeks might be needed just like adults do when giving up caffeine. (talk to your doc if you have concerns)
So, what’s the science? Caffeine is a “Psychostimulant” – it increases activity in the body’s nervous system. In teens, children who are developing, caffeine can interfere with sleep (so crucial for cognitive/learning, emotional, physical growth) and can make things like anxiety worse. It can cause side effects: nervousness, palpitations, restlessness, insomnia, high blood pressure.
By the way – plenty of adults are sensitive to caffeine, too! So while experts say up to 400mg a day is safe for people over age 17 – who are not pregnant or those with underlying health conditions – it’s usually qualified by saying it should be limited in those who are sensitive to the side effects (anxiety, palpitations, high blood pressure, insomnia, etc.) Caffeine can increase the heart rate and raise blood presure.
Giving Up Caffeine?
It’s not dangerous to go cold turkey, but about 50% of patients who give up caffeine do report withdrawal symptoms. They aren’t dangerous and just go away on their own. Most doctors who recommend that if it isn’t an emergency, to gradually reduce caffeine intake over time. Withdrawal effects include: Headache ●Tiredness/fatigue ●Decreased energy/activeness ●Decreased alertness/attentiveness ●Drowsiness/sleepiness ●Decreased contentedness/wellbeing ●Depressed mood ●Difficulty concentrating ●Irritability ●Fuzzy/foggy/not clearheaded
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