'I'm a doctor and pumpkin spice latte drinkers should rethink their coffee order'

Pumpkin spice lattes have become a staple of the autumn season, enjoyed by drinkers of all ages.

However, Dr Masarat Jilani from bladder care company Jude, has warned that this popular seasonal beverage may not be suitable for those under 18 due to its high caffeine content, which can negatively affect both physical and mental health in teens.

Starbucks' own nutritional information reveals that a large pumpkin spice latte contains more caffeine than what is recommended for a 12 to 18-year-old in a day. Even for adults, it makes up a significant third of their suggested daily caffeine intake of 400mg.

A venti-size pumpkin spice latte from Starbucks in the UK contains 133.7mg of caffeine (150mg in the US), while the recommended limit for young people aged 12 to 18 is just 100mg.

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Previous reports from the UK Government have linked excessive caffeine consumption in children to negative health outcomes.

Regarding her concern over the suitability of the drink for teenagers, the Express reports Dr Masarat said: "While we've rightly seen a lot of political interest in the risk that energy drinks with high caffeine content can pose to children and teens, less has been said about fashionable coffee drinks such as this season's popular pumpkin spice latte."

"Excessive caffeine intake for young teens can lead to an increased heart rate, known as tachycardia, which can be dangerous, especially for teens with underlying heart conditions," she added.

"Caffeine is also a diuretic and can lead to increased urination, which can easily slip over into dehydration in teens who aren't compensated with enough water."

She added: "Physical harm aside, too much caffeine in teens can lead to mood swings, and restlessness, as well as exacerbating mental health issues such as anxiety and depression, which are already common during adolescence."

"The daily recommended caffeine limit for teenagers is generally 100mg or less. A large PSL can contain as much as 150 mg of caffeine."

"The fact that a large PSL contains more than a teen's recommended dose of caffeine means it's worth talking to your teens about their after-school caffeine this autumn."

"They should remember that there's always a decaf option they could choose when ordering the latest must-have drink. It won't alter the appearance, so their friends and followers wouldn't know the difference."