The Growing Popularity of Caffeine Consumption in Youngsters
Young people – especially children below the age of 12 – have rarely been observed to consume caffeine in the past. It was generally accepted that the substance is best left for the adults, but nowadays its consumption is growing among young people. This has raised some eyebrows about the necessity for such an action and more critically, as to when would be the appropriate age for a person to consume a bit of coffee.
A recent survey conducted has revealed that nearly 3-in-10 children aged between 4 and 12 have tried coffee, majority of which were from their home. However, only a fraction of the surveyed children were found to consume coffee regularly, which was still due to their curiosity.
Experts’ views about the Necessity for a 6 Year Old child to Drink Coffee
“The bottom line is that coffee consumption can be beneficial when done in moderation, but the presence of caffeine could seriously impact a developing child’s health in the long run”, mentioned a pediatrician who prefers to keep anonymous.
Most of the pediatricians seem to agree that, due to their vulnerability, teenagers are the ideal target of the manufacturers of energy drinks, which contain caffeine and other stimulants. Experts recommend that they should typically be avoided by all people until they eventually reach the age of 18.
Caffeine could still be beneficial when consumed within moderate amounts and at the appropriate age, like in mature adults. Dr. Stephen Sheldon from a leading medical college in the US emphasizes, “I think the real question is how much caffeine is too much for a 6 year old? Like it or not, a small cup of coffee for a mature adult for instance, will have different effects when compared to the same amount of caffeine for a 6 year old.”
Risks for a 6 Year Old Child to Drink Coffee
Caffeine, which is basically a naturally-derived drug found in coffee, can act as a stimulant, including physical, behavioral and neurological stimulant. Such an impact on a 6 year old child’s immature body and mind could trigger serious complications in the child’s development process. It could lead to anxiety, behavioural problems, heart palpitations, digestive disorders, sleep disorder and even seizures in extreme cases.
Adrian Cox, a nutritionist who heads a health center in Colorado, states that, “overall, the risks far exceed any benefits a 6 year old may be seeking from ‘that cup of coffee’. If a responsible parent observes that the child’s curiosity is quite strong and cannot be overlooked, especially at 6 or any age, they should consider decaffeinated coffee instead”.
Should You Let a 6 Year Old Drink Coffee?
The key question here is – should you let your 6 year old try out that cup of coffee? Many parents across the globe have varying opinions. A few parents consider this as a faith development issue, whereby they can educate their child and set rules.
On the other hand, there are some parents who firmly believe that this should be a matter of personal choice. Dr Jeni Meyer, a psychologist based in Germany, emphasizes the importance of the parents’ role in the matter, “rather than enforce a ban and create a sense of awe and excitement around the forbidden ‘cup of coffee’, the parents could certainly educate their child about the pros and cons and help their child make an informed decision about drinking coffee”.
Should Coffee Come with Age Labels?
A few leading food chains have already started imposing labels on the caffeinated products. This implies that the products contain a certain amount of caffeine, which might be dangerous for an underage individual. Most of the coffee drinks at a majority of coffee shops mention the caffeine content, which is generally applicable to both the underage and the adult consumers.
However, according to nutritionists, if the parents insist or plan to let the children drink coffee or any other caffeinated beverage, they can opt for drinks that contain less caffeine or opt for caffeine-free alternatives.
Educating Children About Caffeine Consumption
Taking into consideration the increased curiosity among children in regards to caffeine consumption, it is necessary to have a discussion in-depth with the parents, who can later educate their children about the harmful effects of caffeine. Parents should take heed that a 6 year old may become easily addicted to caffeine if it is consumed frequently.
In conclusion, parents are recommended to make an informed decision about caffeine consumption depending on their 6 year old’s mental and physical capabilities. If a parent is adamant about their 6 year old consuming coffee, it should be restricted to a small cup and the caffeine content should be limited. A well-informed decision from the parent is key in this scenario.
Caffeinated Drinks in Schools
Currently, some of the leading school systems across the world have banned their students to bring caffeinated drinks to schools. An official from a school in the UK commented that, “our ban is connected to our effort to protect our students from any potential health risks. We encourage our students to replace their caffeinated drinks with other alternatives such as herbal teas or natural juices”.
Apart from the countries that have enforced this ban, schools in other countries have also adopted the zero-tolerance policy in regards to caffeine consumption. Currently, a school system based in New York has also adopted a similar policy in its institution.
Caffeinated Alternatives for Children
Caffeinated drinks may not be favorable for children, however, there are other alternatives that can be adopted in order to reduce their dietary need for caffeine. A dietitian from the American Dietetic Association mentioned, “many adults turn to coffee as a morning beverage as it is a stimulant and helps them stay awake. However, for children, such stimulants are not ideal, instead, parents can opt for energy-boosting foods such as fruits, nuts and cereals.”
A cup of freshly squeezed juice can contain plentiful vitamins and other micro-nutrients that could help boost the energy levels of a child while still following a proper diet. In addition to that, adding up healthy food items to their meals such as oatmeal and omelette would go a long way in providing their body with the sufficient nutrition that it needs.
Concerns of Caffeine Overdose in Children
Apart from the long-term effects of caffeine, there could also be risks associated with caffeine overdose in children, such as feelings of restlessness and potential increase in heart rate. Along with that, if the symptoms are not treated on time and allowed to progress, caffeine overdose can even prove to be fatal.
Moreover, parents should be aware of the idea that not all drinks that a child consumes contain caffeine. Non-carbonated beverages, juices, fruit drinks and energy drinks could also contain caffeine, therefore, a parent should be aware when their child is consuming beverages other than coffee.
Caffeine Consumption During Adolescence
Adolescence is a crucial time in regards to forming the developing body of a child and thus, it is advised that teenagers should be encouraged to avoid caffeine – entirely. This could prevent any onset of health problems that might arise in the coming years.
In general, teenagers should be guided in regards to healthy behaviours and routines until they eventually reach the maturity required for such decisions. All in all, parents should talk to their children about caffeine (and why it should be avoided) rather than to impose a ban on it.
How to Manage Caffeine Cravings
A good number of leading nutritionists and dietitians recommend limiting the intake of caffeinated drinks and adopting healthier alternatives. Due to the vast source of natural, caffeine-filled substances, it is now effortless to obtain caffeine with minimum or no effects on the taste buds.
Adding healthy food items to the diet can possess a great benefit in keeping a child away from caffeine. Parents should consider adding whole-grain cereals, oatmeal, natural juices and fruits to the child’s diet which may help in managing caffeine cravings. It is also pertinent to note that, regular physical activities and exercise are essential in order to keep a child’s energy levels high.
Education and Moderation Lead to the Right Outcome
There is no set age for the children to start drinking coffee. It could depend on the maturity level of the child and the ability to understand the possible effects of caffeine. As parents, education should go hand-in-hand with moderation.
If the parents decide to allow their children to consume coffee, then they should limit their coffee consumption to a small cup and make sure the coffee doesn’t contain too much caffeine. The parents should also be actively involved in any caffeine consumption decision of their children and discuss the pros and cons of caffeine consumption.
Ultimately, education and moderation are two separate yet complimentary paths which when chosen together can lead to the right outcome when considering a 6 year old to drink coffee.
