If you’re a coffee lover with little ones, you might have faced a dilemma: should you let them try coffee? Generally speaking, no, kids under the age of 12 should not drink coffee, and older kids should limit their caffeine intake to 100 mg per day.1 But before you decide what age is appropriate for your child, you may want to learn how coffee can affect your child’s health. We have put together this quick guide to answer all of your burning questions – and those of your coffee-curious kiddos.
Is Coffee Bad For Kids?
The main reason we worry about giving coffee to kids is due to the caffeine content. Caffeine affects everyone differently due to individual tolerance, but it does have eight common effects that we have outlined below. Due to their size, kids would have a much lower tolerance to caffeine and therefore be more sensitive to the effects.
Top 8 Ways Coffee Can Negatively Affect Kids:
1. Sleep
Too much caffeine can cause sleeping issues. Kids aged 8-12 need 10-11 hours of sleep every night, while teenagers need eight to nine. Caffeine can stay in the body for up to eight hours, and especially if consumed near night-time, it can make falling and staying asleep difficult.
2. Stomach Issues
Stomach problems can occur from a decreased appetite due to the stimulating nature of caffeine. As we know, children need a lot of healthy nourishment to grow.
3. Caffeine Dependence
When someone has caffeine often, they can get headaches when their body craves it. This can be problematic for keeping children feeling their best if they’re experiencing symptoms of caffeine withdrawal.
4. Concentration
Trouble concentrating can occur when someone has too much caffeine in their system at once. It can also cause hyperactive behavior, especially for a kid who is already prone to having energy outbursts. This can make it hard for kids to listen and participate in school or concentrate on other activities.
5. Calcium
Caffeine can interfere with how much calcium is absorbed in one’s bones. Every time you ingest 100 mg of caffeine, six mg of calcium are lost. During childhood, kids need as much calcium as possible for their bones to grow and become strong.
6. Calories
Most kids probably won’t like black coffee, and adding cream or sugar can cause weight gain.
7. Teeth
Coffee is an acidic drink, and acidic drinks lead to tooth damage. It weakens the teeth, which in turn causes tooth enamel to decline and cavities to increase. Children are more likely to get cavities than adults because it takes years for new enamel to harden after adult teeth replace baby teeth. It has been found that children who drink coffee have oral health issues more often.
8. Dehydration
Caffeine causes the body to eliminate water, so it can cause dehydration, especially if the person doesn’t drink a proper amount of water per day.
What Age is Best?
If your child wants to sip on your cup of coffee from time to time, that is okay for kids aged twelve and older. It gives them the experience without many of the effects. However, if they want to regularly drink a full cup of coffee, that is best suited for after puberty. Their bodies will be better able to handle the caffeine at adulthood, but as long as they have had their growth spurt, it shouldn’t affect their growth or development.
How Much Caffeine is Okay for Kids?
Kids don’t need to consume caffeine, and current guidelines recommend avoiding it. The AACAP recommends that children under 12 avoid consuming caffeine entirely, and that children ages 12-18 stick to a maximum of 100 mg per day. If you have questions about the best diet for your kids, talk to your pediatrician.
Related Reads:
