Coffee is one of the most widely consumed caffeinated beverages worldwide. Adults enjoy it because of its taste, pleasant aroma, and tendency to improve attentiveness. However, coffee for kids is generally not advised. The caffeine component in coffee is a major health concern for children since too much of this stimulant might lead to adverse consequences. Read this post to know about children’s coffee intake, including its side effects and health benefits, to assist children and parents in making educated decisions.
Can Children Drink Coffee?
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends avoiding caffeinated beverages, such as coffee, for children up to five years of age (1). Older children and teens should preferably avoid or at least limit coffee intake (2) (3). The sweetened coffee drinks that children and adolescents usually like (as plain black coffee is bitter) have zero nutritional value. Besides, they are usually high in calories due to sugar and other additives, like whipped cream. Sustained consumption of sugary drinks may pose health risks, like childhood obesity.
How Much Caffeine Is Too Much For Children?
The US FDA has not set a limit on caffeine consumption in children (4). However, other experts recommend that adolescents (12 to 18 years) limit their caffeine consumption to 100mg per day (one cup of coffee) (5) (6). Government regulators in Canada have the following recommended maximum caffeine intake values for children from ages four to 12 years (7). Source: Government of Canada Apart from coffee, some of the most commonly consumed caffeinated drinks among children and teens are hot chocolate, tea, energy drinks, and soda. These drinks should also be limited to keep the caffeine intake in check.
What Is The Right Age For Children To Drink Coffee?
There is no recommended right age for children to start consuming coffee. The US FDA recommends speaking to your child’s healthcare provider for advice regarding the consumption of caffeinated beverages (4). Younger children should avoid coffee. Older children and adolescents may have it in limited quantity if they are unwilling to replace it with a healthier option.
How Does Caffeine Affect Children?
Caffeine is a stimulant that affects the central nervous system (CNS) of children, just like it does in adults. However, children and teens can be sensitive to even small doses of caffeine due to their smaller body size (3). Here are some general effects of caffeine that may occur both in adults and children, who regularly consume coffee (8).
Increase in alertness and boost in energy due to the stimulation of CNS.
Increase in urine output due to the diuretic effects of caffeine.
Increase in the release of acid in the stomach leading to an upset stomach or acid reflux. Image: iStock
Possible interference with calcium absorption.
Increase in the blood pressure and heart rate.
Is Coffee Bad For Children?
Coffee is not harmful when consumed in limited quantities, but there is no recommended safe intake level for children. The body of a child is still growing, and it is not yet known how caffeine affects their CNS, circulatory system, and other organs. Children could also accidentally over consume caffeinated beverages, such as coffee (5). Coffee with high quantities of added sugar, cream, and other additives, such as chocolate chips, could contribute to high sugar consumption. It may pose a health risk in the long run. Excess consumption of coffee can expose children and teens to a high dose of caffeine that can lead to the following side effects (4) (5) (9). Besides the above conditions, overconsumption of coffee may cause immediate effects, such as nausea, vomiting, and increase in blood pressure (6). Hence, its intake must be monitored and.
Are There Any Health Benefits Of Drinking Coffee?
Regular consumption of unsweetened coffee in limited amounts is associated with improved heart health, lowered risk of type-2 diabetes, enhanced mental health, and increased liver protection (17) (18). Most of these health benefits are due to coffee’s bioactive compounds, like chlorogenic acid, caffeine, trigonelline, and diterpenes, that possess antioxidant, hypoglycemic, and hypolipidemic effects (19). These effects are well-researched in adults, but not for children and teens. Hence, these benefits of coffee may not be applicable to children and teens.
