Is your child a fan of morning coffee like you are? Does he or she anticipate a quick caffeine boost at the neighborhood coffee shop after school? There is growing discussion regarding coffee’s effects as coffee consumption among kids and teenagers rises.
Coffee is not good for kids because it has many potential negative health effects on them. There is currently no established safe caffeine dosage for kids.
In this article, we’ll examine how much caffeine kids can safely consume as well as its effects on kids.
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Is Coffee Bad For Kids?
When consumed in moderation, coffee is not particularly harmful to children, but there are a few factors to take into account. Most of the coffee shop drinks that children order are loaded with sugar, cream, whipped cream, and treats like caramel and chocolate chips. This likely causes them to consume less water and more sugar and fat.
Then there is the matter of how much caffeine is in coffee. Caffeine should not be consumed by children under the age of 12 on any given day, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Yet a study published in the journal Pediatrics reveals that a staggering 73% of children and adolescents drink some amount of caffeine daily; most of it comes from coffee, soda, or energy drinks.
Should Kids Drink Coffee?
Much can depend on the particular child, but the younger the child, the less likely I would be to advise this. Caffeine content is the main drawback of kids drinking coffee. Federal recommendations for children’s caffeine consumption are currently absent. The American Academy of Pediatrics advises against children under the age of 12 consuming caffeine. There are some fundamental rules in Canada, though. The following daily caffeine limits are advised:
- Ages 4 – 6: 45 mg (about a half cup of coffee)
- Ages 7 – 9: 62.5 mg
- Ages 10 – 12: 85 mg
- Adolescents: 85 – 100 mg
Along with coffee, other beverages that contain caffeine include tea (48 mg per 8 ounces), caffeinated soda (37 mg per 12 ounces), hot chocolate (10 mg per 12 ounces), and chocolate (10-30 mg per 1.5 oz). Various sports products and energy drinks also contain it.
Reason Why Is Caffeine Bad For Children
Why is this such a big deal, then? Simply put: “There are many potential health implications from consuming caffeine,” says Dr. The majority of healthy adults can tolerate some caffeine, according to Kim, even though people of all ages are susceptible to its effects.
But children are especially susceptible to the negative effects of caffeine. Children and teenagers are in a perfect position to encounter issues because of this, as well as the fact that they may lack the wisdom and self-control to recognize when they’ve consumed too much.
It can cause:
- improper heartbeat.
- Anxiety.
- Dehydration.
- Diarrhea.
- Headaches.
- High blood pressure.
- Moodiness.
- Unease or jitteriness
- Seizures.
- Sleep disruptions.
- Tremors.
- Upset stomach.
When Is Caffeine Safe To Consume?
The unpalatable fact is as follows: Caffeine is not proven to be safe for children under the age of 12. The recommended daily intake for teens is 100 milligrams of caffeine, which is equal to one cup of coffee or two cans of soda.
How Does Caffeine Impact Kids?
There is a dose-response effect with caffeine. Children’s smaller bodies make an impact on their functioning more subtle. Because their nervous and cardiovascular systems are still growing, children’s and adolescents’ reactions to caffeine are also unknown. Increased anxiety, higher blood pressure, acid reflux, and disturbed sleep are just a few of the problems that too much caffeine can bring on. Children should not consume large doses of caffeine due to its dangers.
A stimulant, caffeine makes you more alert. If your child needs caffeine to get through the day, it would be best to work with a pediatrician to determine the underlying issue that is causing the fatigue in the first place.
Concerns About Children And Caffeine
1. It Disrupts Sleep
If you’ve ever heard someone claim that they only consume decaf in the afternoons, it’s likely because they have trouble falling asleep after consuming caffeine late in the day. Symptoms can include difficulty falling asleep, frequent awakenings, and generally shorter sleep duration.
Caffeine is especially dangerous for young people who are still growing and developing because sleep disruptions are linked to a variety of health issues in both children and adults.
“Impaired sleep is increasingly understood to be a major contributor to many developmental issues in children, such as short attention spans and lack of alertness in the classroom, says Dr. According to Kim, it can also affect children’s appetites and insulin levels, which can result in other health problems. It can also cause symptoms like headaches.”
Other issues related to lack of sleep include:
- Teen auto accidents.
- Trouble in school.
- a decline in social skills.
- Disputes between people.
- increasing health issues
2. It’s Associated With Mental Health Concerns
When was the last time you heard a song that encouraged being “alive, awake, alert, and enthusiastic”? Caffeine accomplishes this. Your central nervous system is stimulated, which makes you feel more alert and perky.
However, a lot of caffeine can be detrimental, and kids are especially susceptible to the anxiety-inducing effects of caffeine. High caffeine intake, like that found in energy drinks, has been linked in studies to higher levels of stress, depression, and anxiety in children.
Further complicating matters is the fact that caffeine makes it harder to fall asleep. “According to Dr., sleep disturbances can reduce a person’s capacity to handle stressful situations or sad news. Kim says.
3. It’s Addictive
It’s difficult to break a caffeine habit, as any adult who has attempted to go without their daily latte knows. Because caffeine is ultimately a drug, quitting it can result in trembling, irritability, and headaches.
“Caffeine is a stimulant with some addictive qualities, according to Dr. In people who become accustomed to it, Kim explains, going without it can make them crave it and make them feel the need to get that fix. And seeing that happen to children is not good.”
4. It’s Often Paired With Sugar
Younger consumers are frequently exposed to caffeinated products with high sugar content, such as soda, energy drinks, and those frou-frou coffee concoctions that taste more like milkshakes. And it goes without saying that sugar has a number of negative health effects.
“According to Dr., the consumption of caffeinated beverages is directly linked to an increase in body weight and obesity because they frequently contain high sugar content. Additionally, sugar is linked to increased risks, says Kim:
- Insulin resistance.
- Prediabetes.
- Type 2 diabetes.
What Are Safer Ways For Kids To Drink Coffee?
What can parents do if their children enjoy coffee? “Even at well-known coffee shops, there are some beverages that have less caffeine and are therefore better suited for younger children, according to Theunissen. For instance, at Starbucks, you can select beverages like the Babyccino, Iced Golden Ginger Drink, Iced Guava Passionfruit Drink, and herbal teas, all of which have caffeine levels that are more in line with the suggestions listed above.
There are also other options, such as sticking to decaf coffee, which can have up to 7 mg of caffeine in an eight-ounce serving, or brewing only a small amount of coffee and slathering it with milk, or oat milk, or cream to make it lighter and less caffeinated.