Are teens overly caffeinated? A new study from the Canadian Health System found that the average teen might take in over 245 milligrams of caffeine per day, nearly five times the recommended limit of 50 milligrams. Teens are drinking more "energy drinks" and "designer coffees," along with caffeinated sodas. According to a study at Johns Hopkins, one cup of coffee per day is all it takes to develop a caffeine dependency.

Nutritionists and other health experts worry about the effect of caffeine on developing bodies, especially when caffeinated drinks replace healthier ones like milk or juice. A study from the Journal of the American Dietetic Association found that over 76 percent of children under 5 and 90 percent of children ages 6 to 8 ingest caffeine on a daily basis.

Pediatrician Janis Mendelsohn says no child under 8 years old should have caffeine. "They don't exercise as much, and they are using it as a stimulant," she said.

Labels: caffeine, development, nutrition