FDA Reviewing Caffeinated Foods

Maria Abaca  discusses findings that food manufacturers are sneaking caffeine into more than just energy drinks. The Food and Drug Administration is concerned about what this could mean for young consumers. This new phenomenon, as well as the effects of too much caffeine in the human body, are covered by Maria Abaca.

There is a new mania for caffeine-laced products. Items such as chewing gum, candy, and snack foods are being processed with caffeine for the purpose of providing a fast energy boost.  However, the Food and Drug Administration has not previously evaluated the safety of including caffeine in food products, and has launched an investigation on the resulting health effects on children and teenagers. [1]

The concern was born from the recent rash of hospitalizations of children from the over-consumption of energy beverages, many of which are very large in size (some over 24 ounces).  These energy drinks boast of energy-raising herbal ingredients, but it is the caffeine content that is found to be the real cause enhanced feelings of alertness.

Chewing gum, marshmallows, candy, potato chips and brightly packaged snack foods are by their very nature appealing to children. By incorporating caffeine into these treats, processed food manufacturers are essentially including a potentially addictive element into products that children are, frankly, better off without.

For growing children, it is best to limit the consumption of processed snack foods and soft drinks, which offer negligible nutritional value and are at the root of the nation’s obesity epidemic. The inclusion of caffeine could only exacerbate the issue. Recent studies have shown that insufficient sleep can cause the body to produce an excess of stress hormones, causing a spike in blood sugar, effectively mimicking type 2 diabetes.

Additionally, sleep deprivation raises the risk of heart disease, stroke and depression. Even though caffeine is not inherently harmful (in moderation), consuming large amounts of caffeine in beverage or food form before the body has had a chance to wind down for the night could inhibit the ability to fall into a restful sleep.

The best energy booster is a healthy lifestyle. Regular exercise coupled with a nutrient-rich and low calorie diet will help you to feel sufficient energy throughout the day. It is also critically important to achieve 8 hours of sleep per night in order to maintain proper brain function during waking hours.

By Maria Abaca

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[1] O’Connor, Anahad: Caffeine-Laced Foods Spur F.D.A. Investigation New York Times 5/3/2013 http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/05/03/caffeine-laced-foods-spur-f-d-a-investigation/?ref=health