Teen Health: How Alcohol, Junk Food, Energy Drinks & Exercise Affects Your Teenager's Brain by Mei Marcie

In a recent publication by the Teratology Society, various issues that affect the teenage brain were addressed. Here are some takeaways for you to help your teen improve his brain!

• Alcohol: The teenage brain is still developing, and presents milder hangover symptoms. However, this may lead to higher alcohol consumption, which results in brain damage such as memory loss and coordination.
• Junk food: Junk food affects the brain systems that signal reward and show restraint. Excessive junk food may disrupt these systems resulting in eating disorders or impulsive behaviors.
• Energy drinks: Energy drinks contain caffeine and taurine, which when mixed with alcohol result in memory loss, increased anxiety and deficits in locomoter tests (on tests conducted on mice).
• Exercise: On the other hand, exercise is not only good for physical health but brain health, as it improves “attention, planning, problem-solving, working memory and inhibition control."

Share this with your teen and help improve his brain! Read more at DrugFreeWorld.org.

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