In today’s busy world, it’s difficult for most people to be alert and productive unless they have their morning cup of coffee. Various negative effects of excessive caffeine consumption are widely known, such as dehydration and withdrawal symptoms. However, a recent study by the Swiss National Science Foundation has revealed further implications.
The study involved prepubescent mice that consumed the equivalent of 3-4 cups of coffee in caffeine per day. This resulted in reduced deep sleep as well as delayed maturation of the brain. Researchers say that teenagers and young children who consume caffeine could similarly have slowed brain development as a result. Additionally, as caffeine increases heart rate, it may aggravate cardiovascular problems in addition to affecting neuronal development.
While most teenagers may not drink as much coffee as their parents, caffeine may find it’s way into their diet through other forms, such as soft drinks, energy drinks, and tea. It may be unreasonable to ask people to stop drinking soda and coffee altogether; the important thing is to limit your consumption to a reasonable amount your body can tolerate. For children aged 4-6, the maximum recommended intake is 45 milligrams per day. While no such maximum has been recommended for adults, most adults can tolerate about 400 milligrams per day.
Source:
http://www.mariettatimes.com/page/content.detail/id/554479/How-much-is-too-much-caffeine-.html?nav=5002
