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Caffeine and Childrens' Headaches |
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Caffeine and Childrens' Headaches |
June 25, 2003Most people have had a headache. Some people, even children, have chronic headaches that occur almost every day. Although many headaches are caused by stress and muscle tension, some headaches can be caused by caffeine.
The researchers convinced the kids to reduce their caffeine intake gradually over a two-week period. This caffeine reduction program had a dramatic effect: the headaches of 33 of the 36 children disappeared. Not everyone who drinks caffeinated drinks gets a headache. The authors of this new study, however, warn that excessive consumption of cola drinks may cause chronic headaches in children. |
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References and further information about headaches:
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A new study published in the journal Cephalalgia (June
2003) sheds some light on caffeine and children's headaches. Researchers
in Tel Aviv, Israel, examined 105 children (56 boys, 49 girls) who
complained of chronic headaches that occurred daily or at least four days
each week. Of this group, 36 children (19 boys, 17 girls; mean age 9.2
years) were found to be consumers of large amounts of caffeinated cola
drinks: at least 1.5 liters (51 oz.; about 4 cans) each
day. This amount of cola contains approximately 193 mg of caffeine. (A
cup of coffee contains 50-75 mg of caffeine.) 
Some children drank up to 21 liters (710 oz.; about 59 cans) of
caffeinated soda each week for a total of approximately 2700 mg of
caffeine!