It’s the trendiest drink of the autumn, but could a Pumpkin Spiced Latte increase teens’ risk of depression?
Yes, according to one medic who has warned of the shockingly high levels of caffeine in the drink.
Large versions of the TikTok famous drink, sold by coffee outlets like Starbucks, can contain nearly 135mg of caffeine.
This is far in excess of the 100mg per day that 12-to-18-year-olds are recommended to limit themselves to.
According to GP Dr Masarat Jilani, not only could too much of the stimulant increase the risk of heart problems, it could also make a teenager more likely to develop mental health conditions like depression.
Large Pumpkin Spiced Lattes, sold by coffee outlets like Starbucks, can contain nearly 135mg of caffeine
Medics have warned parents to talk about to teens about the risks of excess caffeine as the drinks, which are a social media must, return to the shelves. Stock image
‘Excessive caffeine intake for young teens can lead to an increased heart rate, known as tachycardia, which can be dangerous, especially for teens with underlying heart conditions,’ said Dr Masarat Jilani, medic at bladder care company Jude.
‘Physical harm aside, too much caffeine in teens can lead to mood swings and restlessness, as well as exacerbating mental health issues such as anxiety and depression, which are already common during adolescence.’
As such she recommended parents to talk to their teens about the risks and how they might mitigate them.
‘The fact that a large Pumpkin Spiced Latte contains more than a teen’s recommended dose of caffeine means it’s worth talking to them about their after-school caffeine this autumn,’ she said.
‘Remind them that there is always an option to ask for decaf when ordering this season’s on-trend beverage. It won’t change the look of the drink, and their friends, or Instagram, won’t even need to know.’
Caffeine isn’t the only potential health danger posed Pumpkin Spiced Lattes.
According to information on Starbucks’s website its ‘venti’ (large) Pumpkin Spiced Latte contains over 42 grams of sugar, or 10 teaspoons.
This is far in excess of NHS recommendations which say adults shouldn’t have more than 30g of the sweet stuff per day, with under-18s urged to have even less.
Consuming too much sugar has been linked to issues like obesity and tooth decay.
Caffeine consumption among young people has become an increased target for calls for regulation, particularly regarding energy drinks.
Energy drinks contain between 80mg to 300mg of caffeine per serving. This compares to 100mg in a cup of coffee.
One 500ml can of Monster Energy for example, contains up to 160mg of caffeine.
Caffeine is a stimulant which triggers a hike in blood pressure when consumed.
It causes blood vessels to constrict, which consequentially increases heart rate.
While this spike in blood pressure is temporary, the NHS warns that drinking more than four cups of coffee per day, about 400mg of caffeine, may increase blood pressure in the long run.
High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is known risk factor for multiple serious cardiovascular emergencies including heart attacks and strokes.
People with heart conditions that cause the heart to beat irregularly, called arrhythmia, with one example being Long QT can also need to limit their caffeine intake.
However, many people are living with such conditions undiagnosed meaning they are unaware of the risk.
In the UK, rules already state that any energy drink with more than 150mg of caffeine per litre must be labelled high in caffeine.
Previous Governments outlined plans to ban the sale of energy drinks to under-16s in 2019 but the policy was never carried out during the Covid pandemic.
But under a new Labour’s plan, energy drinks containing over 150mg of caffeine will be banned for sale to children with the rules enforced by trading standards.
Shops will be required to check people’s ID if they believe they could be under age in the same way as they currently do with sales of alcohol and tobacco.
Retailers would also face fines of up to £2,500 if they flouted the ban.
A spokesperson for Starbucks said: ‘Starbucks beverages are not designed for or marketed to under-18s.’
‘We recognize the importance to our customers to be able to make informed choices, which is why all nutritional information, including caffeine content, is available on our menu boards and through our mobile app and website.
‘All of our coffee-based beverages can be ordered with decaf as an option, and in our smallest size, Tall.’
