Cell Phones Archives - Amazing Health Advances

New Report Exposes the Frightening Dangers of Wireless Radiation

The AHA! Team — Mon, 25 Aug 2025 05:41:38 +0000

Stephanie Woods via NaturalHealth365 – Much of the research on the health effects of electromagnetic radiation is performed on dead tissue. Dead tissue will not respond to non-ionizing radiation the way live tissue does because electron transport can’t occur. This leads to inaccurate conclusions. Modern healthcare It seems that whenever you start investigating a money trail within the world of “modern healthcare” or big business, the results usually reveal lies and corruption. For example, big pharma, our so-called government health agencies, big food producers, and now the telecom industry are filled with deceptive practices. All of these examples represent multi-billion dollar industries. But, more significantly, all of these entities have been caught lying to the public and compromising our health in the process. A recent peer-reviewed scientific report is upsetting the telecom industry with evidence that non-ionizing radiation can harm humans. Is electromagnetic radiation harmless? Industry paid for “science” says NO The report’s author, Paul Héroux, Ph.D., is an associate professor of medicine at McGill University in Montreal. He is also a medical scientist at the university’s Health Center Surgery Department and has an impressive professional pedigree. In the report, Héroux tackled the telecom industry’s arguments of denying any adverse impact on health caused by electromagnetic radiation. And he countered them with what he calls “solid physics.” The results are compelling. He determined that the adverse effects of electromagnetic radiation on human health are “inevitable” and possible at levels much lower than those the industry has deemed safe. Flawed research on wireless radiation puts public health at risk Much of the research on the health effects of electromagnetic radiation is performed on dead tissue. Dead tissue will not respond to non-ionizing radiation the way live tissue does because electron transport can’t occur. This leads to inaccurate conclusions. Researchers have created a large body of erroneous evidence by ignoring basic science and physics principles, risking people’s health. Worse, the current regulatory limits use this inaccurate information as a basis for determining what is safe and what is harmful. Outdated testing methods fail to reflect real-world exposure Another critical issue lies in how wireless radiation exposure is measured. Many studies assess only the thermal effects – how much radiation heats tissue – while ignoring non-thermal biological impacts. However, research shows that even low radiation levels, far below the heating threshold, can disrupt cellular function and damage DNA over time. By relying on outdated testing methods that overlook these biological effects, regulatory agencies continue to approve exposure limits that fail to account for long-term health risks. This oversight may leave the public vulnerable to serious health consequences from daily wireless radiation exposure. Cell phones are not as innocuous as we have been led to believe The truth about wireless radiation exposure cannot stay suppressed much longer. As more data is being introduced and the lies we’ve been fed come to light, the deception will be exposed. For most people, their cell phone is everything – telephone, banker, search engine, bill paying mechanism, and entertainment. However, there are ways to reduce your exposure to radiation from your cell phone: Reduce your wireless device usage – less time equals less exposure Reduce the proximity of your device to your head by using a wired headset, earpiece, or speakerphone Put a greater distance between your body and wireless devices Opt for texting or instant messaging as opposed to talking (if not using the speakerphone) As often as possible, keep your Bluetooth and Wi-Fi settings turned “off” Simply put, the telecommunications industry will be forced to do better when consumers demand safer devices. Sources for this article include: Cell.com Childrenshealthdefense.org To read the original article click here.

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Nomophobia: How Fear of Being Without Your Phone Harms Health (& What to Do About It)

The AHA! Team — Fri, 08 Aug 2025 05:10:19 +0000

Kissairis Munoz via Dr. Axe – In today’s hyper-connected world, many people experience anxiety when they are without their smartphones. This condition, known as nomophobia, has become increasingly common. What exactly is nomophobia, and how can you recognize and address it? Does the “ding” of your phone have you dropping whatever you’re doing to see who “liked” your latest Facebook status? Are you answering work emails before rubbing the sleep from your eyes? Does a low battery icon leave you quivering in fear? You, my friend, are likely suffering from nomophobia. Thankfully, there are ways to treat this condition to help address your smartphone addiction. What Is Nomophobia? Nomophobia, short for “no-mobile-phone phobia,” is the fear of being without a mobile phone or being unable to use it. The term originated from a 2008 study commissioned by the U.K. Post Office to examine the anxieties mobile phone users experience. The study found that nearly 53 percent of mobile phone users in the U.K. tend to feel anxious when they “lose their mobile phone, run out of battery or credit, or have no network coverage.” More simply put, nomophobia is having a smartphone addiction, and it’s a “first world problem” that’s showing no signs of slowing down, regardless of age. While it might sound silly — can you really be addicted to a handheld device? — the implications are real. About half of U.S. adults are checking their phones at least several times an hour, with 11 percent tapping their screens awake every few minutes. No space is safe from the rush of a new tweet, either. Almost one in 10 Americans has admitted to using her phone during sex, and among young adults ages 18 to 34, the number is even higher: One in five has engaged with his smartphone when being intimate. Is it a surprise, then, that 12 percent think that smartphones are detrimental to relationships? When you combine nomophobia with cars, things get even scarier. Among American adult drivers, more than 27 percent have sent or read texts while driving. Among young adults, that number shoots up to 34 percent. What’s the harm in interacting with your phone at a red light or when traffic is heavy? Consider the fact that text messaging while driving makes a crash 23 times more likely. Yikes. Symptoms While there is no set criteria to diagnose this condition, experts believe nomophobia is a smartphone addiction and/or dependence. Recognizing the signs of nomophobia is the first step toward addressing it. Common symptoms include: Panic or anxiety when separated from your phone Checking your phone repeatedly without receiving notifications Doomscrolling Avoiding places or situations where phone use is restricted Feeling uneasy when your phone is out of sight Excessive time spent on your phone, impacting daily life Respiratory alterations Trembling Perspiration Agitation Disorientation Tachycardia Inability to turn off your smartphone Taking the phone everywhere Fear of being without phone access (no internet connection or cell signal) Fear of not being able to use phone in case of emergency Stressing about neglecting your online persona Socially isolating and skipping activities to spend more time on your smartphone Increased heart rate According to research, some signs that someone may have nomophobia can include the fear of: Feeling disconnected Not have immediate access to information Giving up the convenience of your mobile device Not being able to contact and communicate with others Causes Several factors contribute to the development of nomophobia: Social connectivity: Fear of missing out (FOMO) on social interactions and updates. Dependence on technology: Increasing reliance on smartphones for various daily tasks. Instant gratification: The immediate access to information and entertainment that phones provide. Psychological factors: Underlying anxiety disorders or personality traits. Other possible causes that research has unearthed include: obsessive thoughts and compulsive smartphone behaviors extremely large number of hours using a smartphone each day social discomfort and feelings of inferiority Damage Nomophobia Does Even for those of us who don’t text and drive, nomophobia has serious consequences. It can have several adverse effects on an individual’s well-being, such as: Mental health: Increased anxiety, depression, stress and feelings of loneliness. Physical health: Poor posture, eye strain and sleep disturbances due to excessive phone use. Social interactions: Reduced face-to-face communication and weakened relationships. Productivity: Decreased focus and productivity at work or school due to constant phone checking. Furthermore, research on nomophobia in adolescents and young adults published in 2021 in Frontier in Psychiatry concluded that “excessive smartphone use is associated with psychiatric, cognitive, emotional, medical and brain changes that should be considered by health and education professionals.” The authors revealed that “excessive smartphone use is associated with difficulties in cognitive-emotion regulation, impulsivity, impaired cognitive function, addiction to social networking, shyness and low self-esteem. Medical problems include sleep problems, reduced physical fitness, unhealthy eating habits, pain and migraines, reduced cognitive control and changes in the brain’s gray matter volume.” Here’s more on the negative effects of smartphone addiction: 1. You’re wasting time While many of us are convinced that multitasking allows us to get more done, multitasking doesn’t really work. Not only are our brains unequipped to handle two dissimilar tasks at once, but trying to accomplish several things at once ends up wasting more time than saving any. Think about it: How well do you retain information when someone’s talking to you as you’re scrolling through emails or watching the latest cat video your friend posted? Even if your body is in a room, it’s easy to miss important information when your brain is somewhere else completely. Plus, let’s face it: No one likes talking to someone who’s “listening” with her face buried in a screen. 2. You’re more anxious Not having your phone around can increase anxiety. One British study found that 51 percent of participants suffer “extreme tech anxiety” when separated from their smartphones. Some of that stems from feeling that, if we’re apart from our phones, we won’t be included when friends make plans or won’t know what the latest Facebook meme is. Even our bodies are starting to recognize when our phones aren’t around. A University of Missouri study discovered that iPhone users who parted with their devices during situations that require a significant amount of attention, like taking a test or completing a work assignment, could result in poorer performance. That’s because, when participants were separated from their phones and then asked to complete simple word search puzzles, their heart rates and blood pressure increased — as did their feelings of anxiety and unpleasantness. 3. You’re not sleeping as well “Check email one last time, make sure no friends posted anything interesting, one last glance of Instagram … oh wait, a new work email came in. Darn it, that afternoon meeting got pushed up. Did I prep enough for it? Should I review things one more time? Wait, it’s late already. I guess I’ll just think about it for the next half-hour while I toss and turn trying to fall asleep.” Sound familiar? Being inundated with stimulating information right before bed often means you can’t sleep well, particularly when we’re presented with situations beyond our control. And most of us are sleeping with our phones. In almost every age group, at least 40 percent of Americans sleep with their phones within reach. For those 25 to 29 years old, the number’s even higher: Almost 80 percent are snuggling up to their devices. The danger isn’t only that each beep overnight has the potential to wake us up. Smartphones also emit a blue light, signaling to the brain that it’s time to wake up. Blue lights suppress melatonin, the hormone that dictates our sleep rhythms. Yes, the struggle to sleep with your phone is real. 4. Your children are picking up your naughty habits “Do as I say, not as I do” is all too real when it comes to smartphone time. Even as parents ask children and teens to lay off Snapchat or put their phones down during dinner, they’re checking calendars, answering texts or indulging in one last game of Candy Crush. It stands to reason then that in almost every study of smartphone use, young adults have the highest usage rates. Children are learning that always being connected is normal — and missing out on the importance of human-to-human interaction. Are You Addicted to Your Smartphone? If any of these apply to you, all signs point to a smartphone addiction: You reach for your smartphone upon waking up and right before bed. It’s not uncommon for you to catch up on emails or the latest in the news while you’re eating. When your phone is out of reach, low on battery or (gasp) completely turned off, you feel anxious or stressed out. Being out of cell phone signal makes you feel like you might be missing something. You live for that next Instagrammable moment. Pavlov’s dogs have nothing on you: When you hear that familiar text sound, you perk up. You’ve checked your phone at least once while reading this article! Treatment Addressing nomophobia involves a combination of strategies: Digital detox: Gradually reducing the amount of time spent on your phone. Setting boundaries: Establishing phone-free zones or times, such as during meals or before bed. Mindfulness practices: Engaging in activities that promote relaxation and reduce anxiety, such as meditation or yoga. Professional help: Seeking therapy or counseling to address underlying anxiety or dependence issues. Behavioral therapies such as cognitive behavior therapy, exposure therapy, systematic desensitization, aversion therapy and hypnotherapy are often used to help treat phobias. Medications: Certain medications can help in severe cases. Support groups: Realizing you aren’t alone and talking with others can help. Self-care: Do things to improve your mental and physical well-being, such as progressive muscle relaxation, breathing exercises, calming activities, ecotherapy and getting outdoors, etc. In addition, follow these steps to enjoy a life that’s complemented, not ruled, by your smartphone: 1. Turn off your cell phone at least an hour before bed Give your brain a chance to unwind and commit to turning off your phone an hour before bedtime. That means off, not just on silent. Those vibrations and blinking lights are still harmful, as is knowing that you’re just one reach away from seeing the latest. Remember, nomophobia never sleeps, and neither will you. No wonder so many of us are always tired, huh? If you have a legitimate reason for keeping your phone on — your daughter is out with friends or your parents are elderly and you don’t have a landline — turn your phone on “do not disturb,” and place your phone on the other side of the room. In this mode, your phone will silence all notifications but allow you to enable exceptions, such as a phone call from a specific number. Remember: Seeing how many “likes” your last Instagram post received is not a legitimate reason. “But I use my phone as my alarm clock,” you say. “I need it nearby!” To that I respond … 2. Stop shacking up with your phone Get a real alarm clock. (Yes, you can still find these Stone Age relics.) Not only will this allow you to turn off your phone completely overnight (again, unless you need to stay on alert for a family member and don’t have a landline), but instead of waking up with the temptation to see what you missed overnight, you can spend the first moments of the morning stretching, thinking about what’s on schedule for the day or basically doing anything other than checking your phone. For extra credit, I challenge you not to turn your phone on again until your morning routine is finished: You’ve exercised, showered, dressed, eaten breakfast, maybe even read the paper (remember that pastime!) and pushed the kids out the door. 3. Set certain times to check your phone Do you really need to look at every single email the second it’s received? Save your sanity and simultaneously help your productivity by designating certain times to glance at...

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Do Cell Phones Cause Brain Tumors?

AHA Publisher — Wed, 28 Apr 2021 07:00:34 +0000

Michael Greger M.D. FACLM via Nutrition Facts – What does the world’s leading authority on carcinogens have to say about mobile phones? Do cell phones cause cancer? That’s a question billions of people would like to have answered and one I address in my video Cell Phone Brain Tumor Risk?. That’s why we have the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the recognized authority on determining what is and is not carcinogenic. There are five categories: Group 1 carcinogens are agents that we know with the highest level of certainty do cause cancer in human beings, Group 2A probably cause cancer, Group 2B possibly cause cancer, we’re not sure about agents categorized as Group 3, and Group 4 agents probably don’t cause cancer. In May 2011, 30 scientists from 14 countries met at the IARC to assess the carcinogenicity of the radiation emitted from cell phones and concluded that, given the limited amount of available evidence, cell phones are “‘possibly carcinogenic to humans’ (Group 2B).” So they’re not classified as a Group 1 carcinogen that’s known definitively to be cancer-causing, like plutonium, or processed meat, or as probable carcinogen, like DDT, Monsanto’s Roundup pesticide, or some regular meat, but they are classified as a possible carcinogen, ranked similarly as preserved vegetables like kimchi. Now, this classification was made more than five years ago. Evidence continues to mount, and the latest two 2017 systematic reviews found a 33 percent increase in odds of brain tumors with long-term use and showed 46 percent higher odds for tumors on the phone side of your head—and the reviews included the industry-funded studies that have been accused of being biased and flawed, and underestimating the risk, as opposed to independent studies free from “financial conditioning.” How’s that for a euphemism? Given this, some scientists are pushing to have the IARC reclassify cell phones as probable carcinogens or even bump them all the way up into Group 1, at least for brain cancer and acoustic neuroma, a type of inner ear tumor. But the IARC classification for cell phones currently remains at possible carcinogen. What does that mean? What do we do with that information? Well, given the uncertainty, we could follow “the precautionary principle” and use simple personal measures to reduce our exposure, like not putting the phone directly up to our head all the time. Indeed, the “main concern about cell phones is that they are usually held close to the head,” which is considered particularly important for children. There’s no evidence of finger cancer, though, so you can keep texting away. Other potential personal recommendations include waiting a moment before putting your cell phone to your ear, if you don’t have a headset, because “when the cell phone establishes a connection, the emission is high.” And don’t fall for those anti-radiation gizmos, those “so-called protection covers,” as they may make things worse by forcing the phone to boost the signal. Not all agree, however, with this precautionary approach. Employees at two cell phone industry trade organizations emphasize “there are many aspects of human activity that are not ‘totally without adverse health effects,’—for example, transport (including aviation) and hot showers,” so they suggest we should just accept the risk as being worth it. Wait. Hot showers? As in we might scald ourselves or something? In any case, they further suggest that we shouldn’t put forth any recommendations because “such judgment should be made by parents on a personal basis for their own children,” and, if we do put out guidelines or something, people might get nervous and we all know “anxiety itself can have deleterious health consequences.” So, basically, the cell phone industry cares so much about your health that it doesn’t want you worrying your pretty little head. Nevertheless, all of this is openly discussed in the risk analysis literature. “From a public health perspective, it might be reasonable to provide cell phone users with voluntary precautionary recommendations for their cell phone handling in order to enable them to make informed decisions”—but what if the public can’t handle the truth? We don’t want to freak people out. There’s still “scientific uncertainty” and we don’t want to “foster inappropriate fears.” For example, brain cancer is rare to begin with. You only have about a 1 in 15,000 chance a year of getting a brain tumor, so even if cell phones double your risk, that would only take you up to a 1 in 7,500 chance. You may be more likely to get killed by a cell phone in the hands of a distracted driver than by cancer. So, whether health authorities want to inform the general public about precautionary possibilities really remains more of a political decision. To read the original article click here. For more articles from Dr. Greger click here.

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Can Cell Phone Radiation Damage Your DNA?

AHA Publisher — Fri, 23 Apr 2021 07:00:41 +0000

Michael Greger M.D. FACLM via Nutrition Facts – Do mobile phones cause brain tumors? Whenever a trillion-dollar industry is involved—whether it’s Big Food, Big Tobacco, Big Pharma, or Big Telecom—there’s so much money that the science can get manipulated. When it comes to the potential human health effects of cell phone use, certainly, you might endup with a crick in your neck if you text excessively or even break your neck or the neck of someone you may hit if you text while driving. On the other hand, think of the countless lives that have been saved on the road, because people are now able to so quickly phone in emergencies. But what about cancer? Since the turn of the century, there have been studies suggesting up to double the risk of brain tumors with long-term cell phone use on the side of your head you use to talk. That’s important, because the radiation only really penetrates up to a couple of inches into your brain. At 0:48 in my video Does Cell Phone Radiation Cause Cancer?, I show views from the back of the head and the top of the head, and you can see why you might develop cancer on one side of the head over the other. Since it’s such a local effect, you can see why there are recommendations for using the speakerphone function or a hands-free headset, which can reduce brain exposure by a factor of 100 or more—and this includes Bluetooth headsets. This may be particularly important in children, who have thinner skulls. Cell phone radiation isn’t like nuclear radiation, though. It doesn’t damage DNA directly, like gamma rays from an atomic bomb. Yes, but it does appear to be able to damage DNA indirectlyby generating free radicals. Out of 100 studies that looked at this, 93 confirmed these oxidative effects of the kind of low-intensity radiofrequency radiation that comes out of cell phones. Okay, but does that oxidative stress translate out into DNA damage? Most studies found it did, detecting signs of genotoxicity, which is damage to our genes, DNA, or chromosomes. A lot of those studies were done in petri dishes or in lab animals, though. I’m less interested in whether Mickey or Minnie is at risk than I am concerned about brain tumors in people. Yes, some population studies found increased cancer risk, but other studies did not. Could the source of funding for those studies have anything to do with the different findings? Some of the studies were funded by cell phone companies. Researchers “hypothesized that studies would be less likely to show an effect of the exposure if funded by the telecommunications industry, which has a vested interest in portraying the use of mobile phones as safe.” So, they ran the numbers and—surprise, surprise—“found that the studies funded exclusively by industry were indeed substantially less likely to report statistically significant effects…” Indeed, most of the independently funded studies showed an effect while most of the industry-funded studies did not. In fact, industry-funded studies had about ten times fewer odds of finding an adverse effect from cell phone use. That’s even worse than the drug industry! Studies sponsored by Big Pharma about their own products only had about four times the odds of favoring the drug compared to independent researchers. Big Tobacco still reigns supreme when it comes to Big Bias, though. Why do research articles on the health effects of second-hand smoke reach different conclusions? Well, it turns out that studies funded by the tobacco industry itself had a whopping 88 times the odds of concluding it was not harmful. So about ten times more for telecom puts it more towards the drug industry end of the bias spectrum. There are conflicts of interest on both sides of the debate, though. If it’s not financial conflict, then it may be intellectual, as it can be human nature to show bias towards evidence that supports your personal position. As such, you’ll see flimsy science published, like a study I show at 3:55 in my video that appears to find a “disturbing” and “very linear relationship” between the states with the most brain tumors and the states with the most cell phone subscriptions. Okay, but one could think of lots of reasons why states like New York and Texas might have more brain tumors andmore cells phones than the Dakotas, and those reasons have nothing to do with cell phone radiation. Sometimes, you might even see outright fraud with allegations that the academic researchers who authored two of those genotoxicity papers and the very review I mentioned earlier were involved in scientific misconduct—allegations they deny, pointing out that their lead accuser turned out to be a lawyer working for the telecom industry. Whenever there’s a trillion-dollar industry involved, whether it’s the food industry, tobacco industry, drug industry, or telecom industry, there’s so much money involved that the science can get manipulated. Take the nuclear energy industry for example. There were decades of “a high-level, institutional…cover up” about the health consequences of Chernobyl. The official estimates of resulting health problems were a hundred or even a thousand times lower than estimates from independent researchers. Did only 4,000 people eventually die from it or nearly a million? It depends on who you ask and who happens to be funding whomever you’re asking. That’s why, when it comes to cancer, all eyes turn to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, the IARC, which is the official World Health Organization body that independently and objectively tries to determine what is and is not carcinogenic. You can find out what the IARC concluded about cell phones in my video Cell Phone Brain Tumor Risk?. To read the original article click here. For more articles from Dr. Greger click here.

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Mobile Phones Found to Host Cocktail of Live Germs, Aiding Spread of Diseases

AHA Publisher — Sun, 03 May 2020 07:00:54 +0000

Bond University via Newswise – A new study warns mobile phones could be acting as ‘Trojan horses’ for coronavirus and urges billions of users worldwide to decontaminate their devices daily. Newswise — The research, led by Associate Professor Lotti Tajouri of Bond University, reviewed 56 studies from 24 countries and found phones host a staggering cocktail of live germs. While all the studies predate the current pandemic, the authors say the virus responsible for COVID-19 — SARS-CoV-2 — is probably present on mobile phones and other touch-screen devices of coronavirus sufferers. “Our recommendation is that phones should be decontaminated daily and regularly with either 70 per cent isopropyl or by sanitising with (ultraviolet) devices like PhoneSoap,” the study says. The systematic review found golden staph and E. Coli microbes were among the most common bugs on phones. Dr Tajouri, a biomedical scientist, said mobile devices were ‘five-star hotels with premium heated spas, free buffet for microbes to thrive on’. “They have temperature control, we keep them in our pockets, we are addicted to them,” he said. “We talk into them and deposit droplets that can be full of viruses, bacteria — you name it. “We eat with them, so we give nutrients to micro-organisms. “And nobody — absolutely nobody – washes or decontaminates their phone.” He said people travelled with their phones “and no border officers check them. It surely causes a biosecurity concern. “That’s why mobile phones are Trojan horses. We don’t know that we are carrying the enemy.” Dr Tajouri said phone super-users touched their devices up to 5000 times a day and even the average user handled them an average of three hours a day. “We know from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that 80 per cent of all infections are associated with our hands. “You can wash your hands as many times as you like — and you should — but if you then touch a contaminated phone you are contaminating yourself all over again. Think of your phone as your third hand.” Community transmission could occur when an infected person touched their phone and then a pole on a bus which was grasped by an elderly person, he said. “The extraordinarily fast contagion that has scientists puzzled might reside within these mobile phones spreading COVID-19 everywhere at ultra-speed,” Dr Tajouri said. “After all, they’re everywhere, travelling the world in planes, cruise ships and trains. “Let’s take that hypothesis seriously. If we clean our phones daily and this makes a difference then we might with this little action curve down the COVID-19 epidemic and save lives.” But Dr Tajouri said more research was needed to determine the role contaminated phones were playing in the coronavirus pandemic. To read the original article click here.

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More Electronic Device Use Tied to More Sugar and Caffeine in Teens

AHA Publisher — Wed, 30 Oct 2019 07:00:44 +0000

McMaster University via Newswise – Do young teens who spend more time with TV and electronic devices drink more sugared or caffeinated drinks than others? Yes, they do, says a study of U.S. teens led by McMaster University researchers. Newswise — HAMILTON, ON (Oct. 22, 2019) – It is a concern because many exceed recommended levels of both sugar and caffeine, says pediatrician Dr. Katherine Morrison, who led the research together with colleagues at McMaster and California State University – Fullerton. “There is a trend towards reduced energy drink and soda consumption between 2013 and 2016 which is our latest data, but greater electronic device use, particularly TV, is linked to more consumption of added sugar and caffeine among adolescents,” she said. “Addressing this through counseling or health promotion could potentially help.” Morrison is a professor of pediatrics at McMaster, co-director of its Centre for Metabolism, Obesity and Diabetes Research, and a pediatric endocrinologist at McMaster Children’s Hospital. Both sugar-sweetened and artificially sweetened drinks are linked to obesity, diabetes, dental cavities and poor sleep. Excess caffeine, as found in energy drinks, is associated with headaches, higher blood pressure, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and chest pain as well as poor sleep. Consequently, both the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Canadian Pediatric Society urge physicians to educate youth and families about the risks, and to recommend against these drinks. The study, published today in PLOS ONE, found that more than 27 per cent of teens exceed recommended sugar intake and 21 per cent exceed recommended caffeine from soda and energy drinks. Males consumed more sodas and energy drinks than females, and youth in Grade 8 consumed more than those in Grade 10. Distracted eating has been found to be linked to adults watching TV alone, so the research team looked at information on 32,418 students in Grades 8 and 10 from a national, repeated U.S. study called Monitoring the Future Survey. The researchers found that despite the trend towards total reduced soda and energy drink intake between 2013 and 2016, it was evident that greater use of electronic devices, particularly TV, was linked to higher consumption of both. An additional hour per day of TV was linked to a 32 per cent higher risk of exceeding World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations for sugar. Each hour more per day of TV was also linked to a 28 per cent increased risk of exceeding WHO caffeine recommendations. Each hour per day of talking on a mobile phone or using social media was also associated with increased risk of exceeding both added sugar and caffeine recommendations. The researchers were surprised to find video game use was only weakly linked to more caffeine consumption. “Given the marketing campaigns that target video gamers, we expected a particularly strong association between caffeine intake from energy drinks or sodas with video game use, but TV was linked more strongly,” said Morrison. However, using a computer for school was linked to a lower likelihood of exceeding sugar consumption cut-offs. The study had no external funding. To read the original article click here.

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