A study conducted by the Irish government reveals that up to one in three children are consuming caffeinated (含咖啡因的) energy drinks, with frequent consumption associated with a range of health and behaviour problems.

The BMJ Open paper, which analyzed previous data sets, found that between 3 percent and 32 percent of under-18s consumed the drinks at least once a week. Those who consumed the soft drinks five times a week were more likely to report headaches, sleep problems, alcohol use, smoking, irritability, and school exclusion.

In 2019, the government announced it would ban the sale of energy drinks to under-16s, but the rule never took effect.

Lead author of the paper, Claire Khouja, from the University of York, said, “While more research is needed to track the effects of energy drinks on children who drink them, our research has uncovered consistent evidence of links between the regular consumption of these drinks and harmful effects on children’s overall well-being. These findings offer support fora government policy banning the sale of energy drinks to children.”

While caffeine can be beneficial, it does have some downsides, particularly for children. “If you take too much caffeine on a regular basis you get used to it and then on withdrawal you can get a headache－that’s a known phenomenon,” says Claire. “And if you have caffeine before bedtime, a certain group of the population are likely to suffer from insomnia (失眠) as a result. The effect is usually greater on children of a light body weight and young people.”

Energy drinks can also become addictive for children and they “contain large amounts of sugar which are not necessary for that age group,” Claire warns. “That’s easily going to contribute to the problems we already have with children and obesity, diabetes and attention deficit disorder.”

Peanuts are among the most popular snack foods in the United States. Millions of American children are raised on peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. PB&Js, as we like to call them, are found in children’s lunchboxes around the country. Or at least they used to be.

Now, many school officials ban peanuts or any products containing peanuts from school property. About 2 percent of U.S. schoolchildren will have an allergic reaction to peanuts. And that number is growing.

People allergic to peanuts can develop skin conditions or watery eyes. Children with a peanut allergy can develop a skin condition called eczema.

Some reactions are so severe they can result in death. So far, doctors have advised parents against serving peanut-containing foods to children under the age of 3. But a 2015 British study found that waiting too long most likely is partly to blame for the peanut allergy problem.

Anthony Fauci is head of America’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Dr. Fauci spoke to VOA on Skype. He notes that m Israel, people have a tradition of feeding peanuts to babies.

He says a team of experts have agreed on new guidance for U.S. pediatricians who specialize in children’s allergies.

Fauci calls giving children peanuts a way of “challenging” their bodies. He thinks it could be done safely with some boys and girls, but not with others.