Millions of kids have caffeine in their diet. It's not all coming from soda.

A significant majority of American children are consuming caffeine, with a new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report revealing that nearly two-thirds of those aged 2 to 19 have it in their diet. On any given day, these children ingest an average of 19.4 milligrams of caffeine, a quantity roughly equivalent to two-thirds of what is found in a can of soda.

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health experts don't know how much caffeine is considered to be too much for children.

Health experts acknowledge they do not yet know the threshold for excessive caffeine consumption in children. The American Academy of Pediatrics, meanwhile, advises that children should avoid caffeine altogether. The report also highlights that caffeine is entering children's diets through various sources beyond just sodas.

For younger children aged 2-11, the primary sources of caffeine are baked goods like brownies and cookies, which contain caffeine from chocolate. Flavored milk, candy, soda, and tea follow as other significant contributors. Among older children and adolescents aged 12-19, soda is the leading source, closely followed by baked goods, tea, coffee, and candy.

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It's the chocolate that has the caffeine.

Caffeine intake can impact children's sleep patterns. A 2021 study indicated that 3% of 13- to 15-year-olds consuming low amounts of caffeine slept less than six hours per night, a figure that rose to 24% for those with high caffeine consumption. Experts note that the timing of consumption is also crucial, advising against evening intake of caffeinated foods and beverages.

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Some of this also depends on timing, if they're having the caffeine in the evening.