Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the best answer to each of the following questions from 31 to 40.
[I] New guidelines from a group of experts have clarified healthy drink recommenda-tions for kids, stressing that teenagers should avoid caffeine. [II] The guidance comes at a time when caffeinated drinks are seemingly skyrocketing in popularity among young people. [III]
A poll released last year by the C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital found that nearly 25% of parents say their teens consume caffeine most days or every day. According to the parents of teen caffeine drinkers, soda was by far the most popular caffeine source in their kids’ diet. About a third of respondents said their kids drank coffee or tea, while about 22% said their kids had caffeinated energy drinks. “Chocolate is a big source, too,” pediatrician Danelle Fisher, MD, told Health. [IV]
Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant, which can make people feel more alert and energized. The effects usually peak within an hour of consumption but can linger for four to six hours. In adults, caffeine has been linked to benefits such as a lower risk of heart disease and diabetes and a decreased risk of memory loss. Yet, it does also interfere with the absorption of calcium in the body and can increase blood pressure.
Caffeine is generally safe for adults - up to 400 milligrams per day - but the stimulant has different effects on kids’ bodies, explained Megan Lott, Master of Public Health. “Kids and teens have smaller bodies and rapidly developing brains, making them more susceptible to the negative effects of consuming too much caffeine.” It can interfere with sleep quality and exacerbate mental health conditions in kids.
The caffeine in these beverages isn’t the only cause for concern, said Lott - other ingredients that tend to show up in caffeinated drinks can also be problematic. “Most caffeinated drinks popular with kids and teens also have large amounts of added sugars, non-sugar sweeteners, and other additives. These ingredients are not recommended in isolation and are particularly cautioned against when combined.”
Overall, experts and research agree: Kids and teens don’t need caffeine. But pediatricians also agreed that, though caffeine shouldn’t be a staple in teens’ diets, they don’t necessarily need to avoid it entirely. Teens should keep their caffeine intake below a ‘reasonable’ limit of 100 milligrams per day. It’s also best that they cut off caffeine consumption by early afternoon, avoid energy drinks, and be mindful of any signs of caffeine dependency, such as needing caffeine to stay awake.
(Adapted from Health)