Coffee review

Caffeinated sparkling drinks may interfere with the normal development of children's brains.

Published: 2024-11-17 Author: World Gafei
Last Updated: 2024/11/17, A study published in the Journal of the Public Library of Science warns that caffeinated sparkling drinks may interfere with the normal development of children's brains, the Daily Mail reported. The researchers believe that caffeine interferes with brain development during puberty by inhibiting deep sleep. Puberty is a critical period of brain development, and problems in this period can lead to mental scores.

A study published in the Journal of the Public Library of Science warns that caffeinated sparkling drinks may interfere with the normal development of children's brains, the Daily Mail reported.

The researchers believe that caffeine interferes with brain development during puberty by inhibiting deep sleep. Adolescence is a critical period of brain development, during which problems with development can lead to schizophrenia, anxiety, substance abuse and personality disorders.

The current study focused on mice, but scientists believe the results also have practical implications for children and teenagers who consume large amounts of caffeine from cola and energy drinks. Studies have found that 300-400mg of caffeine a day, that is, four cans of energy drinks or three to four cups of coffee, can cause changes in brain development. Take Red Bull, a popular energy drink, as an example. Every can of Red Bull contains 80mg caffeine.

The researchers focused on brain development in adolescence. This period will prepare for the functional needs of the brain in adulthood, and unnecessary intercellular contact junctions will be eliminated. In this process, the role of sleep is crucial. Professor RetoHuber of the Children's Hospital of the University of Zurich said: this optimization process is very likely to take place during deep sleep. Key synapses expand, while others weaken, making neural networks more efficient and powerful.

Professor Huber also mentioned that when young mice were fed caffeinated drinking water, they had less deep sleep than mice that drank white water.

At the end of the experiment, caffeine-fed mice also had more neural connections in their brains, meaning the elimination process was disrupted.

A spokesman for the study said: the average caffeine intake of children and young people has increased by more than 70% over the past 30 years, and this growth continues. Caffeinated energy drinks are currently the fastest-growing part of the beverage industry.

The brain goes through a very delicate and fragile stage of maturity during adolescence, during which many mental illnesses can occur. Even though there are obvious differences between mouse brain and human brain, there are still many similarities in the process of brain development. The results of mouse studies have raised the problem of caffeine intake in teenagers. Is it harmless for children or young people to consume caffeine? Perhaps it would be wiser to give up refreshing drinks?

0