Coffee is one of the most popular drinks on the planet; outranking soda, juice and tea in many parts of the world.
It is certainly a staple in Malaysia where almost every adult is dependent on some form of caffeinated beverage to keep them alert and productive at work. But what about kids? Where does coffee and caffeine factor into their need and wellbeing?
While it is true that more and more teens have been found to be drinking coffee, can the same be said for children? In fact, should teens even be drinking coffee?
These are the questions that will be answered today.
Benefits of Caffeine
Caffeine is one of the active compounds in coffee; it’s basically what gives coffee its energy boosting effects that people love so much.
But you may be wondering how caffeine itself works. Does it actually give you energy?
Well, yes and no.
Caffeine works by suppressing adenosine receptors in your brain, the hormone that makes you sleepy. It also increases your heartrate and blood pressure, giving you sort of a ‘rush’.
When taken in the correct amounts and at the right times, it offers a variety of benefits.
For example, you should ideally wait 2 hours after getting up from bed to have your first cup of Java. Otherwise, you won’t get to fully experience the energy boosting effects of caffeine.
But boosting your energy isn’t the only thing caffeine is good for. It can also enhance your cognitive functions, thanks to its nootropic properties.
It can boost alertness, attention, concentration, and reaction time. This makes it a great ‘supplement’ for those with intellectually demanding professions.
But those are just its immediate, short-term effects. When taken regularly, caffeine can also offer some cumulative benefits.
Caffeine is thought to prolong your lifespan, improve memory, control blood sugar, and even prevent cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, like Alzheimer’s.
Side Effects of Caffeine
With all the amazing benefits of caffeine that we’ve highlighted so far, you may be wondering if you actually should be letting your kids drink coffee now.
Hold your horses there, mummies. These benefits are strictly for adults—and maybe teens.
However, we would discourage teens from drinking coffee too early too.
Sixteen would be a good age to let them start if they want. But thirteen is much too early. Besides, we haven’t even gotten to the downsides of coffee yet.
Just like with all narcotics (technically, caffeine is a drug), caffeine, and by extension, coffee, does have some unpleasant side effects when taken in large amounts at one time.
Such side effects include restlessness, anxiety, excessive urination, jitteriness, and headaches.
When taken too close to bedtime, it can cause insomnia and poor sleep. If taken too excessively, it will cause caffeine dependence.
This is where you will increasingly need more and more coffee in order to experience its stimulating effects.
How Much Is Too much Coffee
When taken as a stimulant, caffeine only takes a dosage as low as 50mg to work. This is equivalent to a 100ml cup of coffee.
But that’s the normal dose for adults. Children may be affected by much smaller amounts. So, never let a young child drink a full cup of coffee.
Then again, the regular old cup of Joe isn’t the only thing you should worry about.
You may also need to watch out for unexpected sources of caffeine such as chocolates, sodas, and teas. Even some cake and ice-creams have coffee added into them for flavour.
However, the most dangerous one you should be extra vigilant of are energy drinks. These canned beverages may contain upwards of 400mg per serving, which may wreak havoc on a child’s developing body.
So, how much is too much when kids are involved?
If your child wants to take a sip or two of your coffee on occasion, then it’s probably okay. But never give them a full cup and make sure they’re no younger than 9 years old.
Don’t let your kid drink a proper cup of coffee until after they’ve reached puberty.
Another thing to worry about when giving children coffee—even small amounts—is that they will end up becoming very hyperactive.
The effects are not that different from a normal sugar rush, but it may also make it hard for them to fall asleep at night.
Java for Juniors
Children are acutely sensitive to what they eat and drink. This is an important thing to note when expanding their diet to include things like coffee.
Even if you never expose your kids to the beverage, some teens will eventually find out about it from their friends.
Of course, it wouldn’t hurt to ask your teen if they’ve started drinking coffee. That way, you can give them some advice about their intake level and frequency, which must be monitored.
While your teen may think they’re default adults, they’re still growing. A caffeine overdose can cause irritability, mood swings, osteoporosis, gastric ulcers, nausea and nervousness.
Too much caffeine, as you can see, even for young adults, is detrimental for their health.
It’s important to take note as well that coffee is actually best drunk sparingly—a few times a week, or only as needed. Instead of three to four times a day like what a lot of adults do.
This is what you and your child should ideally stick to once they’re old enough for coffee. And there will come a time when your kids will express a desire for it. So, it’s important to help them develop a healthy relationship with coffee.
Let’s ensure they can enjoy all the amazing benefits this little bean has to offer, with none of the unpleasant side effects, mummies!
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice from Motherhood. For any health-related concerns, it is advisable to consult with a qualified healthcare professional or medical practitioner.
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