STIMULATING TOPIC What's up with caffeine?

KNIGHT RIDDER NEWSPAPERS
Q. Is caffeine safe for children?
A. Research has found no evidence to suggest the use of caffeine (at the levels in food And beverages) is harmful. As with all foods and beverages, parents should use common sense in giving their children normal servings of caffeine-containing foods and beverages.
Q. Is consuming caffeine during pregnancy safe?
A. Most physicians and researchers today agree that it's perfectly safe for pregnant women to consume caffeine. Daily consumption of up to 300 milligrams per day has been shown to have no adverse consequences during pregnancy. However, it is wise for pregnant women to practice moderation in consumption of all foods and beverages.
Q. Is consuming caffeine OK while breast-feeding?
A. Both the American Academy of Pediatrics and researchers of a review published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition confirm that caffeine consumption at usual amounts has no effect on the infant. Studies have shown that although caffeine is passed to the infant through breast milk, the amount is minute and has no effect on the infant.
Q. Is fibrocystic breast disease caused or worsened by caffeine consumption?
A. Both the National Cancer Institute and the American Medical Association's Council on Scientific Affairs have stated there is no association between caffeine intake and fibrocystic breast disease.
Q. Does coffee/caffeine interfere with calcium absorption and cause or worsen bone health?
A. Several well-controlled studies have concluded that consuming moderate amounts of caffeine does not increase the risk of osteoporosis. The amount of calcium lost for each cup of coffee can be replaced with as little as one teaspoon of milk.
XSource: The International Food Information Council; www.ific.org