Caffeine intake can cause so many problems for teenagers. In American high schools these days, energy drinks are a common occurrence. It’s unheard of to walk down the hall without seeing multiple people holding different caffeine filled cans. There are so many popular energy drinks available, but some of the most popular among teens are Monster, Alani, and Celsius. A lot of students at RMHS drink energy drinks without seeing any problems with it. But the issues presented by the sugary, caffeinated drinks are impossible to ignore.
Firstly, the caffeine intake causes an addiction that is hard to break. So many people fall prey to the feeling of booming energy that they get from drinking caffeine. It is easy for teenagers to fall into the habit of drinking an energy drink everyday in order to get through school, extra curriculars, and homework. But drinking caffeine everyday is terrible for your health. By drinking caffeine everyday, teens will grow dependent on the product to help them survive the day. They will become addicted, and will experience withdrawal symptoms–such as headaches or jitteryness–if they don’t drink caffeine. They can also grow a tolerance, making them need more caffeine to feel the same effect they once did.
Additionally, drinking caffeine can lead to trouble sleeping, poor concentration and performance in school, and a decrease in mood. It is recommended that teens should stay away from caffeine, especially trying to consume less than 100mg a day, as stated by University of Michigan in their 2024 article titled, “Does Your Teen Consume too Much Caffeine?”. Any more than that consistently can lead to future health problems.
Drinking some caffeine in moderation isn’t terrible, but teens should stay conscious of what they’re ingesting to prevent future problems for themselves. It’s important for teens to be taught to take care of themselves and find more healthy ways to get energy. Eating and sleeping properly should give students all the energy they need.
In the end, drinking caffeine isn’t the end of the world, but too much intake, especially everyday, will lead to health problems that will stick with teens for a long time. Teens should have a healthy balance of caffeine, not drinking it everyday and not having the huge amounts energy drinks provide. I recommend teens make sure to monitor their consumption, not drinking caffeine everyday, and when they do, make sure to limit it and not drink more than necessary.