Dubbed the most popular drug in the world, caffeine is found naturally in over 60 plants including the coffee bean, tea leaf, kola nut, cacao pod. All over the world on a daily basis caffeine is consumed, in coffee, tea, cocoa, some soft drinks and some drugs. Because it is a stimulant, most people use it for waking up in the morning or to remain alert during the day. It is important to know that caffeine cannot replace sleep, however it can temporarily make us feel more alert by blocking out sleep inducing chemicals in the brain, and increasing the production of adrenaline.
There is no actual need for caffeine in the diet, however moderate caffeine intake isn’t associated with any recognised health risk. If you have 3 8oz cups of coffee a day it is considered a moderate amount of caffeine. 6 or more 8oz cups of coffee per day is considered an excessive intake of caffeine. It enters the bloodstream through the stomach and small intestine and as little as fifteen minutes after it is consumed, can have stimulating effects. Caffeine will persist in the body for several hours after it is consumed and it takes at least six hours for one half on the caffeine to be eliminated.
Although safe in moderation, it is recommended that caffeine is avoided by children. It may negatively affect a child’s nutrition by replacing nutrient dense foods such as milk.Your child may also eat less as the caffeine in their body acts as an appetite suppressant.
Caffeine affects our sleep as when we decide to go to bed and relax and wind down ready to drift off, the caffeine in our body releases more adrenaline acting as a stimulant making you restless and it extremely hard to sleep.
