Is it Safe for Children to Drink Coffee? | Pineville Pediatrics | Ballantyne Pediatrician

Is it Safe for Children to Drink Coffee?

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Caffeine

Caffeine is an alkaloid from the group of xanthines and a bitter substance produced naturally by more than 60 plants such as coffee beans, tea leaves, kola nuts, and cocoa pods. Also, caffeine is absorbed and passes quickly to the brain. It does not accumulate in the bloodstream and leaves the body through urine many hours after it has been consumed. Humans have no nutritional need for caffeine.

In humans, caffeine has a temporary effect on restoring alertness and eliminating drowsiness. Beverages that contain caffeine, such as coffee, tea, some non-alcoholic beverages like cola, and energy drinks are very popular. Caffeine is the most widely consumed psychoactive substance in the world. In North America, 90% of adults consume caffeine every day.

Caffeine Safe Limits

Although caffeine is classified by the US Food and Drug Administration as a safe component (GRAS), more than 10 grams per day are considered toxic in adults. Since a cup of coffee contains 80–175 mg of caffeine, reaching a toxic dose requires roughly 50–100 ordinary cups.

However, pure powdered caffeine used as a dietary supplement can be lethal in tablespoon-sized amounts.

Coffee and Kids According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), kids aged 12 to 18 must not consume more than 100 mg of caffeine per day. While most researchers conclude that caffeine is harmless, it is a stimulant that affects the nervous system and might impact the developing brain of a growing kid.

Given its stimulant properties, excess of caffeine can cause headaches, higher blood pressure, trouble sleeping, faster heart rate, and nervousness. Also, some soft and sweetened drinks contain caffeine, and kids who drink one or more sweetened soft drinks per day are 60% more likely to be obese. Besides, caffeine causes the body to lose water, which may contribute to dehydration.

What Are Energy Drinks and Why Can They Be a Problem?

Energy drinks are soft drinks with added caffeine. The amount of caffeine in energy drinks can vary widely, and their nutrition facts labels sometimes do not state the amount of caffeine they contain.

Energy Drinks Risks

There is insufficient evidence to show that these drinks increase strength or power. However, it is known that energy drinks can be dangerous since they contain large amounts of caffeine.

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