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Over 30% of American teens use energy drinks, according to a study by the American College of Sports Medicine.

Energy drinks contain high levels of caffeine. A typical drink is between 12 and 16 ounces, with 50 to 145 milligrams of caffeine in every eight ounces. A cup of coffee has 100 milligrams and a regular cola has 35 milligrams per eight ounces. Some high schools have already banned the sale of energy drinks in their cafeterias and vending machines. Popular brands are Spike, Wired, Freek, Buzz, and Red Bull.

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Labels: healthy_eating, soft_drinks, caffeine

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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: nutrition, development, caffeine

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