How much caffeine is *too much* for your kids?

TOP OF MIND

Red Bull gives you wings (and heart palpitations)
Concerning new data from America's Poison Centers revealed that calls to US poison control centers about kids chugging caffeine-packed energy beverages increased nearly 20% in 2023.

In 2022, calls regarding kids consuming energy drinks clocked in at around 2,300, but in 2023, that number jumped to nearly 2,900.

While that might not sound like a huge increase, experts note that in previous years, the number largely remained the same. This is the biggest spike they've seen.

What's even more concerning is that nearly 50% of the calls in 2023 were from kids who consumed the drinks unintentionally, perhaps not realizing just how much caffeine they contained.

The important bits
Energy drinks such as Bang and Monster Energy’s Java Monster Triple Shot have up to 300 mg of caffeine, while 5-Hour Energy Extra Strength has nearly 250 mg per 2-ounce shot. Consuming just one of these can nearly reach the FDA's daily limit of 400 mg of caffeine for adults.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no more than 100 mg per day for teens aged 12-17. For kids under 12? There is no known safe amount of caffeine.

If a child ingests too much caffeine, it can trigger stomach issues, tremors, heart palpitations, increased blood pressure, and even seizures. In extreme cases, consuming high levels of caffeine in a short amount of time can result in death. In 2017, a 16-year-old boy from South Carolina died after drinking a large Mountain Dew, a cafe latte and an energy drink. The caffeine triggered an arrhythmia, leading to cardiac arrest.

What's it all mean?
The only thing scarier than monsters under your bed? Monsters in your fridge! Here are 16 ways to boost energy levels without caffeine.

DID YOU HEAR

🧸 The trendiest toys of 2024
We don't want to spark panic in your household, but there are only 99 days left until Christmas. In adult time, that's like two weeks. Thankfully, Amazon released their trendiest toys of 2024. Some of our favorites include:

• Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza. $10 kid-friendly card game. It's loads of fun for all ages and has nearly a 5-star rating with over 50,000 reviews. That's unheard of!

• My First Christmas Tree. Currently 30% off on Amazon. A super cute baby-proof Christmas tree... it even includes a little toy train set!

• Little Tikes Story Dream Machine Starter. 20% off and in our opinion, well worth the $39 price tag. It brings storytime to life by projecting lights and images on the wall.

• Uno Show 'Em No Mercy. A new Uno card game just dropped, and it's guaranteed to make you hate every member of your family.

🫶 Parents will give up anything for their children, study confirms
According to a new study, the majority of parents would give up social media, vacations, and even their best friend, all for their child's well-being. The survey asked 2,000 parents of children under the age of 8 what they would be willing to give up if it meant their child was happy and healthy. 76% said they'd give up social media, 61% would give up their phone, and 39% would be willing to say bye bye to electricity.

🏃‍♀️ Exercise leads to healthier belly fat
Are you working out consistently, but still can't drop that little bit of belly fat? Don't worry about it. According to researchers at the University of Michigan, even if you don't see improvement on the scale, you could be making your belly fat tissue healthier. They found that in people who exercise regularly, their fat tissue contained more blood vessels, was less rigid and had lower inflammation. Read about it here.

🧍 What "only children" bring up the most in therapy
The single-child family structure was once a rarity, but now it's the fastest growing family unit in the United States. According to a recent survey, around 20% of households with children have just one child. And if you grew up as an only child, you've likely heard about all the negative stereotypes, but what do only children actually struggle with the most? Find the answers here.

👶 I've got another confession to make
Foo Fighters' Dave Grohl admits he secretly welcomed a baby with a woman who is not his wife.

A DOSE OF GOOD

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BITES WITH KIYAH

This week’s Bites section may be more aptly named “Sips”. Harvard University’s Center on the Developing Child put out a report on the ways in which water impacts children’s health and development.

More than half of all children and adolescents in the U.S. are not getting enough hydration. The recommended daily intake of water for children is:

• 1 to 3 years old: 4 cups

• 4 to 8 years old: 5 cups

• 9 to 13 years old: 5 to 6 cups

• 14 to 18 years old: 6 to 8 cups

Water often has a difficult time competing with more flavorful beverages, especially with kids who aren’t in the habit of drinking it. Some tips for encouraging water consumption in kids are to frequently remind them after any activities, make sure they always have a water bottle nearby, and role model by drinking water yourself too!

It’s also important to recognize that even in the United States, there are people who don’t have access to safe and clean drinking water. There are resources that can help.

Kiyah is the co-founder of Kizingo Kids and an expert in nutrition.
Follow her on Instagram and Youtube.

HERE’S A QUESTION

Last week, we asked you when you last cleaned your microwave, and nearly 60% of you said "last week" while "two weeks ago" came in a distant second. No one answered, "pre-pandemic," so that's good.

RECALLS

Okay, so this is technically not a recall yet
…but one could be coming based on a new study by Consumer Reports. They found "concerning levels" of lead in one-third of tested ground cinnamon and cinnamon spice blends.

Experts note that trace amounts of heavy metal are common in spices, with all tested samples showing detectable lead. But out of 36 products, 12 had lead levels exceeding one part per million (ppm).

Officials say that's far too high, especially considering there is no "safe" amount of lead exposure. Read more here.