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You've
Got Issues
“Why do some
Adventists make such a big deal over
not drinking
beverages with
caffeine?” |
Because
we’re bought with a price! That’s right, Jesus paid
for our eternal lives with His life blood. That means we’re
precious to God, and because we’re His, our very bodies
become the home of the Holy Spirit, of God Himself!
Since
Jesus loved us enough to be tortured and killed on our behalf,
why would we want to damage the bodies or minds that He treasures?
Yet, caffeine does just that! Caffeine is an addictive drug
(that’s why regular users may suffer headaches, jitters,
or nausea when they quit) that can be destructive to our central
nervous system, to our blood sugar levels, and to our sense
of peace and well-being, plus caffeine can increase nervousness,
anxiety, and depression.
Though caffeine may give a temporary energy lift, the long-term damage it may cause is not worth the short-term buzz.
* See I Cor. 6:19-20, I Cor. 10:31, Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 425, and cruise the web for detrimental effects of caffeine.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Why Caffeine is Bad for You
by: Kiersten, age 14
Kiersten was in 8th grade when
she
wrote this article while attending
Intermountain Adventist Academy this past year.
________________________
"Tea and coffee whip up the flagging energies for the time being, but when their immediate influence has gone, a feeling of depression is the result."
—Counsels on Diets and Foods, p. 425
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Caffeine
is a natural chemical found in tea leaves, coffee beans,
cacao, and cola nuts (the plant that gives cola soda flavor).
Did you know that caffeine can cause your heart to pump faster and your breathing to quicken? This can cause or worsen heart problems. Caffeine is also a diuretic. This means that caffeinated drinks or foods cause you to urinate more often than normal.
Did
you know that caffeine is a drug that can be addictive?
If you like drinking or eating stuff with caffeine, then
you will have to have the same amount each day just to
feel “normal.” If you do not get the same
amount each day you might get headaches, stomach aches
or a racing heart that can make you feel jumpy or nervous.
So, it’s better not to start drinking caffeine in
the first place.
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In a study done twenty years ago, teens drank twice as much milk as soda pop.1 Now they drink twice as much soda pop as milk. It is really sad that people drink more soda than milk and water. It is really important to drink lots of water so you do not get dehydrated.
So
don’t drink too much soda and try to avoid
caffeine. No one needs caffeinated drinks, especially
kids. When your mom says, “No, you can’t
have a Coke, ”listen, and drink something
else like milk, juice, or water.
__________________________________________
1 Online from: Kids Health
* Aquafina is a registered trademark.
‡ Coca Cola is a registered trademark.
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You may be surprised to know how much
caffeine is in some of the following: |
Drink/Food
|
Amount of Drink/Food
|
Amount of Caffeine
|
| Mountain Dew |
12 ounces |
55.0 mg |
| Coca-Cola |
12 ounces |
34.0 mg |
| Diet Coke |
12 ounces |
45.0 mg |
| Pepsi |
12 ounces |
38.0 mg |
| 7 Up |
12 ounces |
00.0 mg |
| Brewed coffee (dripped method) |
5 ounces |
115 mg* |
| Iced tea |
12 ounces |
70 mg* |
| Dark Chocolate |
1 ounce |
20 mg* |
| Milk Chocolate |
1 ounce |
6 mg* |
| Cocoa beverage |
5 ounces |
4 mg* |
| Chocolate milk beverage |
8 ounces |
5 mg* |
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