The debate over whether coffee is ‘good’ or ‘bad’ is a constant topic of contention. Multiple studies have been conducted over the years in order to assess the potential outcomes of consuming coffee (both positive and negative).  
 
Some studies show that there is a probable link to a decreased risk of multiple conditions, such as some cancers, cardiovascular disease, Type 2 Diabetes, and Parkinson’s Disease – though these benefits were only perceived in previously healthy adults.
 
Other studies revealed that limiting your coffee intake (<2.8 cups/day) could reduce the risk of cognitive deficit, while consuming green tea daily could provide cognitive benefits.
 
These findings indicate that coffee can be beneficial to a person’s health when included as part of a healthy, balanced diet. It is important to remember, however, that more is not necessarily better and coffee (as with anything) should be consumed in moderation.

Try following these tips to ensure a healthy coffee habit:
 
Avoid Consuming Coffee Late in the Day and Early in the morning
Coffee is often consumed in the morning or when we’re tired to act as an energy boost – this is because it contains caffeine, which is a stimulant. You don’t want to become reliant to need a boost every day- this is then acting as something you need to function and this scenario is never healthy.
Drinking coffee late in the day can give us a ‘pick me up’ that can prevent restful sleep from occurring.

Don’t Load Your Coffee with Sugar
Whether its standard sugar or your favourite flavoured syrup, try and steer clear! Added sugar is arguably one of the worst ingredients in the modern diet and is linked to all sorts of serious diseases like obesity and diabetes.
 
Avoid Drinking Too Much
Limit your coffee intake to no more than 4 standard cups per day – this is the recommended amount according to most guidelines and health professionals. Anything greater than this amount exceeds the daily recommended intake of caffeine. It is also important to listen to your body depending on your personal sensitivities.

If you would like some simple options to help manage energy levels contact us here at Sprouting Health!

​References
 
Grosso, G., Godos, J., Galvano, F., & Giovannucci, E. (2017). Coffee, Caffeine, and Health Outcomes: An Umbrella Review. Annual Review Of Nutrition, 37(1), 131-156. doi: 10.1146/annurev-nutr-071816-064941
 
Di Maso, M., Boffetta, P., Negri, E., La Vecchia, C., & Bravi, F. (2021). Caffeinated Coffee Consumption and Health Outcomes in the US Population: A Dose-Response Meta-Analysis and Estimation of Disease Cases and Deaths Avoided. Advances in nutrition (Bethesda, Md.), nmaa177. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1093/advances/nmaa177
 
Ran, L. S., Liu, W. H., Fang, Y. Y., Xu, S. B., Li, J., Luo, X., Pan, D. J., Wang, M. H., & Wang, W. (2021). Alcohol, coffee and tea intake and the risk of cognitive deficits: a dose-response meta-analysis. Epidemiology and psychiatric sciences, 30, e13. https://doi.org/10.1017/S2045796020001183
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Teenagers can have various reasons for skipping school.
 
Not taking laziness into account - chronic illness, musculoskeletal(MSK) pain, anxiety, depression, and poor academic performance are some common reasons for not attending school. A study suggested 1 in 4 teenagers are impacted by MSK pain (e.g. back pain/neck pain), with a higher prevalence and incidence rate in girls than boys.(1)
 
According to the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA), the average attendance rate of teenagers in their school year 7-10 was about 90% in 2018(Pre-Covid). (2) Sometimes being a teenager can be challenging and requires good executive functioning (EF) to complete daily tasks. Recent research found teenagers with chronic MSK pain report significantly greater EF impairment compared to healthy age and gender-matched peers.(3)
 
Musculoskeletal pain reduced Executive Functioning!!!
 
EF impairment is similar to a spinning wheel stuck when our computer runs out of memory or overloaded with multiple tasks. It means a decrease in our working memory (52%), inhibition (45%), and cognitive flexibility (38%).(3) To put it simply, it affects the ability to stay focus at school, less capable of switching from task to task or problem solving, impulsive response, decrease attendance, decrease social abilities, and poorer performance in sports.(3)
 
If your teen participates in sports, there is a higher risk of resulting pain due to injuries (e.g. ankle sprain). Other risk factors for MSK pain including higher BMI, taller height, smoking, negative emotional status, female gender.(4) Oftentimes, pain is developed over a slowly built up stress in our body. Therefore, it is crucial to get to the cause of pain rather than treating the symptoms.
 
At Sprouting Health, we aimed to help people to perform at their best. If your teenager at home often refuses to go to school, experiencing difficulties to focus or is struggling academically, speak to one of our chiropractors and see how we can help manage your concerns!

References
 
1.         McBeth J, Jones K. Epidemiology of chronic musculoskeletal pain. Best practice & research Clinical rheumatology. 2007;21(3):403-25.
2.         Australian Curriculum AaRA. Student attendance 2018 [Available from: https://www.acara.edu.au/reporting/national-report-on-schooling-in-australia/national-report-on-schooling-in-australia-data-portal/student-attendance.
3.         Jastrowski Mano KE, Beckmann EA, Fussner LM, Kashikar-Zuck S. Executive Functioning in Adolescents with Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain. Children. 2020;7(12):273.
4.         Huguet A, Tougas ME, Hayden J, McGrath PJ, Stinson JN, Chambers CT. Systematic review with meta-analysis of childhood and adolescent risk and prognostic factors for musculoskeletal pain. Pain. 2016;157(12):2640-56.

Spinal pain which includes neck and back pain is a common health problem affecting all age groups (1,2,3). When it becomes chronic, pain decreases the quality of life by having a negative effect on both private and professional life, and is also associated with a high level of morbidity (4). Do you or a loved one experience spinal pain? This is an important article that could make the world of difference to you.
 
“On average, patients suffering from spine pain will incur 73% higher health care costs, with much of the cost going towards improper management” (5,6)
 
The cause of spinal pain in young people is unclear with varying directions for physical, psychological, and social factor associations (7). It may include things such as sports, postural stress, study stress and technological habits that is prevalent among the young. Spinal pain can limit physical activity for the younger population, which has numerous long term consequences (8).
 
In recent research literature, looking at chiropractic management of young people aged between 10-24 years of age for spinal pain, it was demonstrated that there were statistically and clinically significant improvements on the numeric rating scale. So chiropractic care may be a viable management for spinal pain for young people, though further studies would help to substantiate these findings.
 
If you want to find out if chiropractic may help manage spinal pain for you or your loved ones, have a chat with one of our chiropractors to see how they can assist.
 
“Overall health and function is vital for our wellbeing”

References 
1. Leininger B, Bronfort G, Evans R, Hodges J, Kuntz K, Nyman JA. Cost- effectiveness of spinal manipulation, exercise, and self-management for spinal pain using an individual participant data meta-analysis approach: a study protocol. Chiropr Man Therap [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2019 Jan 5];26:46.
2. Schneider M, Murphy D, Hartvigsen J. Spine Care as a Framework for the Chiropractic Identity. J Chiropr Humanit [Internet]. 2016 Dec [cited 2018 Apr 6];23(1):14–21. A
3. Hartvigsen J, Hancock MJ, Kongsted A, Louw Q, Ferreira ML, Genevay S, et al. What low back pain is and why we need to pay attention. Lancet (London, England) [Internet]. 2018 Jun 9 [cited 2018 Oct 6];391(10137):2356–67.
4. Schopflocher D, Taenzer P, Jovey R. The prevalence of chronic pain in Canada. Pain Res Manag [Internet]. 2011 [cited 2019 Jan 31];16(6):445–50.
5. Martin BI, Deyo RA, Mirza SK, Turner JA, Comstock BA, Hollingworth W, et al. Expenditures and Health Status Among Adults With Back and Neck Problems. JAMA [Internet]. 2008 Feb 13 [cited 2018 Apr 6];299(6):656.
6. Deyo RA, Mirza SK, Turner JA, Martin BI. Overtreating chronic back pain: time to back off? J Am Board Fam Med [Internet]. 2009 Jan 1 [cited 2018 Apr 6];22(1):62–8.
7. Kamper SJ, Henschke N, Hestbaek L, Dunn KM, Williams CM. Musculoskeletal pain in children and adolescents. Brazilian J Phys Ther [Internet]. 2016 Feb 16 [cited 2019 Jan 17];20(3):275–84.
8. Manansala, C., Passmore, S., Pohlman, K., Toth, A. and Olin, G., 2019. Change in young people's spine pain following chiropractic care at a publicly funded healthcare facility in Canada. Complementary therapies in clinical practice, 35, pp.301-307.