Caffeine in soft drinks has been compared to nicotine in cigarettes, which is one reason why researchers have recommended young children shouldn't be allowed to consume caffeinated sodas during school hours.
What's more, the results of one study found that just a few ounces of a caffeinated soft drink can make first-graders rowdy and inhibit their concentration.
Soft Drink Study
Researchers served 20 first-graders (10 boys and 10 girls) either caffeine-free or caffeinated soda over a time span of three weeks. The students' teachers monitored and rated their behavior; neither the teachers nor the students knew which kind of soda was being consumed.
The results indicated children who drank caffeinated soft drinks suffered from behavioral problems. Moreover:
The first-graders clearly preferred caffeinated soft drinks to caffeine-free brands; consumption of caffeinated soda was, on average, 9.45 ounces on days the children were allowed to drink sodas, compared to 7.55 ounces of caffeine-free soda.
And compared to when the children drank caffeine-free soda, behavioral problems were rated an astounding 432 percent worse on days they consumed caffeinated soft drinks instead.
Based on the results, researchers suggested psychological and learning enhancement should be included in the list of dental caries (decay), sugar load in promotion of obesity and adverse affect of cola consumption on children.
Middletown Journal May 24, 2005
Since one can of soda contains:
... I can't think of a good reason to ever have one, let alone allow your child to consume it.
If this study convinces you to stop feeding your children regular soda, please don't make the classic mistake and assume artificially sweetened sodas are better because they have less sugar. I am firmly convinced that artificial sweeteners are far worse than real sugar. I believe you should avoid both. Trying to make a choice between them is similar to deciding if you would rather have someone hit you in the head with a hammer or drive an ice pick into your body parts. Folks, choosing either one of these drinks is a no-win situation.
Even if you choose a "healthy soda" that's only sweetened with fruit juice, sugar is still sugar once it gets in your bloodstream, and the end result will be the same. Fructose is not a healthy sugar.
I realize that it's very difficult to convince your child, let alone yourself, to drink water as your main beverage, but it can be done. I have found that the most effective method for doing so, apart from eliminating soda from your child's diet completely, is to be a good role model.
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