Hidden Caffeine We Never Noticed” — Foods Teens Don’t Realize Carry a Buzz

Here’s the article shared by Sewoong:
👉 https://n.news.naver.com/article/296/0000093558?sid=102

Written by Eunseo Whaong

As someone studying teen caffeine habits, I found this new article especially interesting because it highlights something many of us completely overlook — the surprising amount of caffeine hiding in ordinary foods.

We often assume we’re “avoiding caffeine” when we skip coffee or energy drinks, but the truth is that many teens consume caffeine throughout the day without realizing it. According to the article, foods like dark chocolate, green tea, candies, gum, certain ice creams, and even some pain relievers contain enough caffeine to affect sleep, mood, and focus.

What makes this more concerning is how casually these items are consumed. A piece of dark chocolate after school, a cup of green tea while studying, a soda at dinner, or a few pieces of gum to stay alert — each one seems harmless on its own. But together, they can quietly add up to a significant amount of caffeine.

For teens, who tend to be more sensitive to stimulants, these hidden sources can disrupt sleep patterns, worsen anxiety, and make it harder to concentrate. Many students don’t associate these symptoms with their diet, which makes the issue even easier to ignore.

From my perspective, caffeine itself isn’t the problem — unawareness is.
When teens know where caffeine is hiding, they can make better choices for their energy, mood, and well-being.

If you’ve ever been surprised by the caffeine content in a certain food or drink, feel free to share — I’d love to hear your experiences.