4.2.4 Caffeine
Cola-type soft drinks, which contain caffeine, currently
have the largest share of the beverages market in
Australia (Euromonitor International 2006). Caffeine is a
mildly addictive stimulant drug which occurs naturally in
tea, coffee and chocolate but soft drinks are the main
source of caffeine in children’s diets (Ellison et al. 1995;
Nestle 2000). Levels of caffeine in soft drinks occur in the
range of 40–50 mg per 375 ml can. Higher amounts are
found in energy drinks (80–120 mg per can, equivalent
to one cup of strong coffee), which are forming an
increasing share of beverages consumed. The current
Australian Food Standards Code allows the addition of
caffeine in cola-type soft drinks, flavoured cordials and
flavoured syrups, and the total caffeine content must not
exceed 145 mg/kg (36 mg / 250 ml serve) in the drink as
consumed (Smith et al. 2000).
The link between caffeine in soft drinks and bone health
has been indicated in the previous sub-section. In addition,
several studies have found a connection between cola
drinks and kidney stones (Rodgers 1999; Massey and Sutton
2004) and the US National Institutes of Health currently
recommend that people trying to take preventative
action should limit their caffeine consumption, including
that from cola beverages (National Kidney and Urologic
Diseases Information Clearinghouse 2004).
More immediate effects of caffeine on health are also
apparent. Caffeine sensitivity (the amount of caffeine
that will produce an effect in someone) varies from
person to person. On average, the smaller the person,
the less caffeine needed to produce side effects. The
short-term affirming effects of caffeine include increased
energy and attention, enhanced mood and motivation as
well as enhanced motor activity, even at low doses
(20–200 mg) (Smith et al. 2000). Nevertheless there are
considerable negative effects of caffeine consumption,
particularly in children and young adults. Negative
effects, especially in young children, include disturbed
sleep patterns, bedwetting and anxiety, from even
modest consumption of caffeine-containing soft drinks.
Withdrawal symptoms such as headache, fatigue,
decreased alertness, depressed mood and irritability can
be experienced 6–24 hours after caffeine abstinence,
again even for low doses (Juliano and Griffiths 2004).
Avoidance of withdrawal symptoms plays a central role in
the habitual consumption of caffeine by increasing the
reinforcing effects of caffeine and preference for tastes
paired with caffeine (Juliano and Griffiths 2004). This is
of particular concern for soft drinks sold to children and
adolescents as even low doses can suppress withdrawal
symptoms (Evans and Griffiths 1999) which may lead to
increased soft drink consumption.
4.2.4 CaffeineCola-type soft drinks, which contain caffeine, currentlyhave the largest share of the beverages market inAustralia (Euromonitor International 2006). Caffeine is amildly addictive stimulant drug which occurs naturally intea, coffee and chocolate but soft drinks are the mainsource of caffeine in children’s diets (Ellison et al. 1995;Nestle 2000). Levels of caffeine in soft drinks occur in therange of 40–50 mg per 375 ml can. Higher amounts arefound in energy drinks (80–120 mg per can, equivalentto one cup of strong coffee), which are forming anincreasing share of beverages consumed. The currentAustralian Food Standards Code allows the addition ofcaffeine in cola-type soft drinks, flavoured cordials andflavoured syrups, and the total caffeine content must notexceed 145 mg/kg (36 mg / 250 ml serve) in the drink asconsumed (Smith et al. 2000).The link between caffeine in soft drinks and bone healthhas been indicated in the previous sub-section. In addition,several studies have found a connection between coladrinks and kidney stones (Rodgers 1999; Massey and Sutton2004) and the US National Institutes of Health currentlyrecommend that people trying to take preventativeaction should limit their caffeine consumption, includingthat from cola beverages (National Kidney and UrologicDiseases Information Clearinghouse 2004).More immediate effects of caffeine on health are alsoapparent. Caffeine sensitivity (the amount of caffeinethat will produce an effect in someone) varies fromperson to person. On average, the smaller the person,the less caffeine needed to produce side effects. Theshort-term affirming effects of caffeine include increasedenergy and attention, enhanced mood and motivation aswell as enhanced motor activity, even at low doses(20–200 mg) (Smith et al. 2000). Nevertheless there areconsiderable negative effects of caffeine consumption,particularly in children and young adults. Negativeeffects, especially in young children, include disturbedsleep patterns, bedwetting and anxiety, from evenmodest consumption of caffeine-containing soft drinks.Withdrawal symptoms such as headache, fatigue,decreased alertness, depressed mood and irritability canbe experienced 6–24 hours after caffeine abstinence,again even for low doses (Juliano and Griffiths 2004).Avoidance of withdrawal symptoms plays a central role inthe habitual consumption of caffeine by increasing thereinforcing effects of caffeine and preference for tastespaired with caffeine (Juliano and Griffiths 2004). This isof particular concern for soft drinks sold to children andadolescents as even low doses can suppress withdrawalsymptoms (Evans and Griffiths 1999) which may lead toincreased soft drink consumption.
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