Caffeine Myth #5 - Caffeine causes hyperactivity in Children - True or False?

Myth #5: Caffeine causes hyperactivity in children.False: 
A kid on a Coke rush will practically bounce off walls. But studies show that a moderate amount of caffeine (40 mg to 200 mg) doesn’t make them hyperactive. (For reference, that 12-ounce can of Coke has 35 mg.)

Like adults, kids will get an energy boost from caffeine. But whether it’s soda, green tea or coffee, “on average, one serving a day wouldn’t be considered harmful overall for children,” says Suzanne Sheres, a pediatric clinical dietitian at Nemours Children’s Clinic in Orlando.

A bigger concern is the empty calories in soda and high-energy drinks that teens like, she says.

In fact, small amounts of caffeine may help children diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It can sharpen their focus and stimulate them to answer questions, Sheres says.

So far, long-term studies haven’t shown whether it’s more beneficial to use caffeine than medication.