Caffeine and Kids

Caffeine and kids I vividly remember the antics that went on when my boys were bored during summer vacation. Keeping little boys entertained demanded the patience of Job and a celebration when the school bus appeared each fall. Unlike adults, God created kindergartners with an abundance of energy that does not need supplementing. Scientist are learning that rowdy behavior and poor concentration in children is often caused by caffeine and sugar While sugar has been labeled a culprit for years, researchers have discovered that that less than one can of caffinated soda can wreck havoc on a young child's system. A new study released last month at the American Psychiatric Association's annual meeting concluded that drinking caffeinated cola caused notable behavior problems in first graders. Students were given either caffeine or decaffeinated soft drinks over a three-week period, Teachers noted behavior was considerably worse on days when students drank caffeinated sodas, giving parents and physicians even more ammunition in the battle to remove pop machines from schools. I am Susan Allen with Food Forethought. Source: ajc.com/health/content 05/24/05