Coffee consumption by children is a concern for many parents. The American Academy of Family points out the negative effects of caffeine on children, including increased blood pressure, sleep disruption, and increased anxiety. This suggests that caffeine can lead to withdrawal symptoms that cause mood swings and headaches in children.
Coffee and Children’s Health: Medical Guidelines in the United States and South Korea
South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety warns of side effects associated with caffeine consumption, such as sleep disturbance and anxiety, and recommends a maximum of no more than 400 milligrams per day for adults and 2.5 milligrams per kilogram of body weight for children and adolescents. Based on the average weight of a 10-year-old child, it’s estimated that the right amount of coffee to consume is about half a cup a day.
Coffee and Brain Development: What the Research Says
A study from the University Children’s Hospital in Zurich, Switzerland, is of even greater interest. The study suggests that caffeine may have a negative impact on the development of intelligence in growing children and adolescents. This study on laboratory rats shows that high doses of caffeine resulted in reduced sleep and delayed brain development in young rats.
Long-term effects of coffee consumption: a perspective from Johns Hopkins Hospital, USA
Dr. Diane Bissom of Johns Hopkins Hospital in the US points to our lack of understanding of the long-term effects of coffee. Emphasize that excessive caffeine consumption can cause problems in children, including increased anxiety, increased heart rate and blood pressure, acid reflux, and sleep disturbances. She advises that caffeine dependence could be masking the cause of a child’s fatigue, so it’s important to talk to a doctor to find the root cause.
Bottom line: Considerations for safe caffeine consumption.
In conclusion, the consumption of caffeinated beverages such as coffee by children should be approached with caution. It’s important to follow the advice of a healthcare professional to control caffeine intake and minimize negative effects on children’s health and development.
References
- American Academy of Family Physicians
- Korea Food and Drug Administration
- Research at the University Children’s Hospital Zurich
- Johns Hopkins Hospital Study
