Go into any convenience store and look at the beverage options – you’ll see one or two refrigerators of water and juice. The rest are dedicated to soda and energy drinks, with new options hitting the market seemingly every month. If you’re a parent, you may be wondering: how much caffeine is too much for your child? With diabetes and obesity rates climbing among kids, it’s an important question.
Kevin Osterhoudt of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia says that 100 milligrams, under two 20 ounce sodas, should be the limit.
“Caffeine,” he says, “is probably the most widely used and abused drug in the United States.”
According to a 2012 article in the Washington Times, the average American consumes 300 milligrams of caffeine per day. That’s three times the recommended limit. Luckily, some parents realize the dangers of over-caffeinating their young ones, and are setting limits or banning caffeinated products altogether. Take a look.
And make sure to check out Eye Opener, a different kind of morning show, weekdays from 6 to 8 a.m. on PHL-17.