The beloved Starbucks specialty could be giving your teen depression, doctor warns
It’s fall’s trendiest drink, but could a Pumpkin Spiced Latte increase the risk of depression in teens?
Yes, according to a doctor who has warned about the drink’s shockingly high caffeine content.
Large versions of the famous TikTok drink, sold by coffee shops like Starbucks, can contain almost 135 mg of caffeine.
This is much more than the 100 mg per day recommended for 12 to 18 year olds.
According to GP Dr Masarat Jilani, too much of the stimulant can not only increase the risk of heart problems, but can also cause a teen to develop mental health conditions such as depression.
Large Pumpkin Spiced Lattes, sold by coffee shops such as Starbucks, can contain almost 135 mg of caffeine
Doctors have warned parents to talk to teenagers about the risks of excess caffeine as the drinks, which are a social media must-have, return to shelves. Stock image
“Excessive caffeine intake in young teens can lead to an increased heart rate, known as tachycardia, which can be dangerous, especially for teens with underlying heart conditions,” says Dr. Masarat Jilani, physician at bladder care company Jude.
‘Aside from the physical harm, too much caffeine in teens can lead to mood swings and restlessness, as well as worsen mental health problems such as anxiety and depression, which are already common during adolescence.’
That’s why she recommended parents talk to their teens about the risks and how they could limit them.
“The fact that a large Pumpkin Spiced Latte contains more caffeine than the recommended dose of caffeine for teens means it’s worth talking to them about their after-school caffeine fix this fall,” she said.
‘Remind them that there is always the option to request decaf when ordering this season’s trendy drink. It doesn’t change the look of the drink, and their friends, or Instagram, don’t even need to know.”
Caffeine isn’t the only potential health hazard of pumpkin spiced lattes.
According to information on Starbucks’ website, the ‘venti’ (large) Pumpkin Spiced Latte contains over 42 grams of sugar, or 10 teaspoons.
This is much more than the NHS recommendations which say adults should eat no more than 30 grams of the sweet stuff per day, while under-18s are urged to eat even less.
Consuming too much sugar has been linked to problems such as obesity and tooth decay.
Caffeine consumption among young people has become an increasing target of calls for regulation, especially with regard to energy drinks.
Energy drinks contain between 80 mg and 300 mg caffeine per serving. This is comparable to 100 mg in a cup of coffee.
For example, one 500ml can of Monster Energy contains up to 160mg of caffeine.
Caffeine is a stimulant that causes an increase in blood pressure when consumed.
It causes the blood vessels to constrict, increasing the heart rate.
Although this rise in blood pressure is temporary, the NHS warns that drinking more than four cups of coffee a day, around 400mg of caffeine, can increase blood pressure in the long term.
High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is a known risk factor for several serious cardiovascular emergencies, including heart attacks and strokes.
People with heart conditions that cause the heart to beat irregularly, known as an arrhythmia, exemplified by a long QT, may also need to limit their caffeine intake.
However, many people live with such conditions that are undiagnosed, meaning they are unaware of the risk.
In Britain, rules already require that any energy drink with more than 150 mg of caffeine per liter must be labeled as high caffeine.
Previous governments outlined plans to ban the sale of energy drinks to under-16s in 2019, but this policy was never implemented during the Covid pandemic.
But under a new Labor plan, energy drinks containing more than 150mg of caffeine will be banned for sale to children, subject to rules imposed by trading standards.
Shops will have to check people’s identities if they think they are underage, just as they now do when selling alcohol and tobacco.
Retailers also face fines of up to £2,500 if they ignore the ban.
A Starbucks spokesperson said: ‘Starbucks beverages are not intended for or marketed to youth under the age of 18.’
‘We recognize the importance for our customers to be able to make informed choices. That’s why all nutritional information, including caffeine content, is available on our menu boards and via our mobile app and website.
‘All our coffee drinks can be ordered optionally decaffeinated, and in our smallest size, Tall.’