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Teens consuming more coffee drinks
The Edmonton Journal (Sat 14 Jul 2007) reports that with Starbucks and doughnut shops around every corner, educators and nutritionists say more and more teens are consuming coffee drinks, from caramel lattes to Coffee Coolattas. But is all that caffeine -- not to mention sugar and calories -- a good idea for kids whose bodies are still developing? No definitive studies on the effects of caffeine on children have been done. But while caffeine doesn't stunt one's growth, as one well-known myth suggests, it is an addictive drug that can have lasting effects -- and coffee contains as much as five times the amount of caffeine as soda. Some nutritionists worry adolescents are substituting coffee for meals and that some popular drinks -- certain Frappucinos, for instance -- feature as many calories as a Big Mac. With sodas still a frequent choice and so-called "energy drinks" becoming more commonplace, the number of caffeinated beverages that teens consume seems almost limitless. While market analysis firms do not track coffee consumption for youths younger than 18, the percentage of 18- to 24-year-olds who drink coffee every day has doubled since 2003, from 16 per cent to 31 per cent, according to the National Coffee Association. By itself, caffeine is not particularly harmful, and may even have some health benefits. Some studies have shown caffeine may reduce the risk of Parkinson's disease, diabetes and certain forms of cancer. And studies have proven that caffeine increases both mental acuity and physical performance.
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