What Age Should You Start Drinking Coffee?
A cosy mug of coffee is one of the most beloved morning rituals by adults the world over. But when is the right time for children to start drinking coffee? This subject is the focus of much debate as many people have different opinions.
Experts have several views on the subject. They unanimously agree that this drink can be beneficial, but only when children reach the right age to drink it. Coffee contains caffeine which is a stimulant that can affect children’s growth and development. In general, those under the age of 13 should not drink coffee at all.
In her article “When Is the Right Time for Kids to Drink Coffee?” on Parents.com, Ericka Souter offers her perspective. She claims that even teenagers should not be drinking coffee on a regular basis. In her opinion, teenagers should not drink coffee more than twice a week as any more than this may cause sleep deprivation or an irregular heartbeat. Instead she recommends teens should drink juice or iced tea with meals.
Souter also reveals her own experience of when her 11-year-old daughter requested to have coffee like her mother. She decided to allow one cup per week, but always under her watchful eye to monitor any negative impacts. She believed introducing coffee in a controlled way was important to prevent any rise in blood pressure or over-dependence.
However, other experts do not fully agree. In an article on LiveStrong.com, Ericka A. Appleton challenges Souter’s take. Appleton believes that children should be drinking coffee earlier than their teenage years as it may provide them with long-term advantages. She claims that if children start drinking coffee in moderation from their mid-teen years, it will protect them from diabetes and other adverse health conditions. Therefore, she recommends that children should begin drinking coffee in small doses of one cup per day from the age of 14.
So it seems that while the right age to start drinking coffee is 18, there are conflicting opinions on when it would be beneficial to start drinking coffee at a younger age. It is important to remember that when it comes to the health of young children, moderation and supervision are always key.
Coffee’s Positive Effects
When drunk in moderation, research shows that coffee can have positive affects for children over the age of 18. According to an article on Shape.com by Lizzie Burlingame, research studies from Harvard University and the Kaiser Permanente health organization have found that adults over the age of 18 who consume 3-4 cups of coffee per day were found to have lower rates of health risks like type two diabetes and depression. Additionally, drinking coffee can improve short-term memory and mental alertness.
However, it is important to remember that these benefits come with a caveat. Coffee should always be drunk in moderation. Most doctors recommend no more than four cups of coffee per day, and there should also be an awareness of the sugars and creams people put into their coffee as this can have an adverse health impact.
Therefore, when it comes to children drinking coffee, it can be beneficial provided it is done in moderation and under supervision.
Coffee’s Negative Effects
However, despite the potential advantages, taking up coffee before age 18 can also have negative affects on health. According to research from the American Academy of Pediatrics, caffeine can lead to mental and physical health risks in children. These include disturbed sleep, higher heart rates, higher levels of anxiety and depression and even potential compounds of psychosis. Therefore, doctors recommend that children over the age of 18 should abstain from drinking coffee.
Additionally, coffee consumption can be habit-forming and may lead to an unhealthy reliance on caffeine for alertness. This can lead to concentration difficulties if the caffeine is suddenly removed from the diet.
Therefore, it is clear that while it may be beneficial for children to drink coffee from an early age, the potential risks suggest that it should be avoided until the age of 18 when the body is more developed.
Long-Term Effects of Coffee
When it comes to the long-term effects of coffee consumption, further research is needed. While studies have been conducted on adult coffee drinkers, it is yet unclear whether drinking coffee in childhood could still have lasting impacts on health and development. Therefore, until more research is completed, it is suggested that children should not take up coffee drinking until the age of 18.
This may be supported by research from the University of Southern California which suggests that caffeine consumption, even from tea and soft drinks, can have an adverse affect on kids’ learning and motivation. Therefore, until more evidence is available, it is best for children to remain tea and coffee free.
Coffee Alternatives for Teens
If teens are wanting to mimic their peers who are drinking coffee, there are some alternatives available. While it is not recommended for teenagers to start drinking coffee, there are alternatives that may provide similar satisfaction. For example, in place of a regular coffee, teens could consider ordering a decaffeinated coffee as this still has the coffee flavor minus the caffeine content.
Additionally, Healthline.com suggest ordering a “slave coffee,” which is just a cappuccino without the espresso. Or they may prefer one of the many flavoured coffee drinks, such as a mocha or caramel latte. This way, teens can feel a part of the coffee-drinking culture without actually drinking coffee.
Finally, there are also some healthier coffee-based drinks available. Matcha powder, for example, offers the same coffee-like taste but without any caffeine. Moreover, matcha powder has additional health benefits such as boosting immunity with antioxidants. Therefore teenagers can get in on the coffee trend without compromising their health.
Educating Teens About Coffee
In spite of potential health benefits, it is important to provide children with age-appropriate information about coffee. According to experts, parents should be honest but not overly dramatic when discussing the effects of coffee. This is because discussing the issue in a negative light could spur children on to try coffee out of curiosity. Therefore, parents should be aware of providing sensible facts.
Moreover, parents should discuss the cost of coffee with their teens in order to prevent any over-dependence. A cappuccino bought from a coffee shop can cost upwards of five dollars and this can be expensive for teens if they start consuming coffee on a regular basis. Therefore, parents should be clear about the cost of coffee.
Finally, if parents are worried about potential health impacts, they should speak to their children’s doctors for more advice. Additionally, parents should be aware that children may still be tempted to try coffee and so being aware of the caffeine contents of any drinks their children consume is important.
Basics of Safe Coffee Consumption
When it comes to children drinking coffee, moderation and supervision are still key. According to experts, children between the ages of 14 and 18 should not be drinking coffee more than once a day and never later than mid-afternoon. Additionally, parents should be aware of the added ingredients in their children’s coffee, such as syrups, and keep track of when their children are taking up coffee.
Furthermore, parents should be encouraging their children to opt for milk-based drinks, such as cappuccinos, or flavoured lattes with healthier milk alternatives such as soy or almond milk. This is because these milk alternatives contain higher amounts of calcium and protein and are generally lower in sugar than regular milk.
Therefore, when it comes to children drinking coffee, the most important point is to keep track of the amounts and ingredients of their coffee drinking. This is to reduce any potential health risks.
Testing Caffeinated Products at Home
On the other hand, if parents want to go one step further and monitor their children’s caffeine consumption better, they can purchase caffeine test strips. These are simple strip tests that measure the level of caffeine in drinks. According to a report on CNN.com by K. Aleisha Fetters, many parents use these strips to determine the amount of caffeine in their children’s drinks, as many coffee-based beverages in restaurants may contain more caffeine than expected.
Fetters also claims that these strips can come in handy to find out the caffeine content of energy drinks. As energy drinks are known to be particularly high in caffeine, these strips can help parents track down the levels of caffeine in drinks.
Therefore, if parents want to know the caffeine content of their children’s drinks, test strips can provide a safe and simple way of doing this.
Starting Young Adults Off Coffee
When it comes to young adults, if parents choose to introduce coffee from a young age, careful consideration must be made. According to experts, introducing coffee should be done in moderation and in small doses. This is because according to experts, too much coffee can make tiredness worse and interfere with sleep.
Moreover, parents should remember to consult their young adult’s doctor if they have any concerns. Additionally, if children are showing signs of dependency on caffeine, parents should seek medical advice immediately.
Finally, to avoid coffee addiction, it is recommended that children should alternate drinking regular coffee with decaffeinated coffee. This is to allow the body time to adjust to the milder taste of decaffeinated coffee.
Therefore, while the idea of children starting to drink coffee may seem daunting, as parents it is possible to introduce coffee in childhood and young adulthood with consideration.
