Coffee is a popular and widely recognised beverage, immensely acquirinh popularity over the course of the 18th and 19th centuries. Its production has become a multibillion dollar industry, and its consumption is steadily increasing despite the presence of alternatives. But how old should someone be before they start drinking coffee?
Coffe has a particular set of chemical components that can pose potential long-term risks which may be particularly pronounced in younger people. The Food and Drug Administration, for instance, have warned against the usage of caffeine by children under the age of 12 or by adolescent up to the age of 18. This warning is due to the fact that caffeine can potentially affect a developing organism in unpredictable ways, with long-term physical and mental implications.
According to Christine Rosenbloom, Ph.D., a registered dietitian and nutrition professor at Georgia State University, “Caffeine is both addictive and a stimulant. It will keep you awake and make you feel jittery if you have too much”. If consumed irresponsibly, excessive amounts of caffeine can cause heart palpitations, headaches, shortness of breath, anxiety and even vomiting.
Many healthcare professionals, therefore, agree that children between the ages of 12 and 18 should simply limit their consumption of caffeinated beverages, as an alternative to abstinence. In general, two to three cups of coffee should not constitute a problematic limit in this age group. However, very young children should absolutely avoid its consumption.
When asked to comment on these recommendations, nutrition expert Dr. Ariana Weisman said: “Coffee should not be given to any child younger than 12, and even then it should be limited. Kids in their teens, however, can start drinking modest amounts of coffee, so long as it is not done excessively”.
Although research by the University of California, Los Angeles, reports no lasting adverse effects from moderation consumption of caffeine among adolescents, they’ve also stress the importance of education and parental supervision. Similarly, Robert Glatter, M.D., an assistant professor of emergency medicine at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, suggests that spring for decaffeinated drinks instead for young drinkers.
Effects on Development
There is a general consensus among obesity and nutrition specialists that caffeine has potential negative effects on development. Recent studies, for instance, point toward the fact that caffeine consumption during pregnancy could increase the likelihood of negative outcomes, ranging from potential birth defects to mental retardation.
Researchers have also expressed concerns about the potentially disruptive effects of caffeine on the behaviour of children and teenagers. Since caffeine is a stimulant, it can cause children to be overactive, their behavior to become disruptful, and their attention to be easily drawn away from mundane tasks. Furthermore, it might end up making these people sleep later and be more stimulated in the evening than they would naturally be.
All these potential downsides make it evident why moderate consumption of coffee is suggested in older children and teens. Its usage should only be allowed with parental supervision, appropriate education and always within the limits suggested by healthcare professionals.
Effect of Caffeine on Older People
Older and more mature adults, however, may find coffee to be an effective tool for alertness and concentration. As such, coffee and other caffeine-infused beverages might have positive effects at this age if used appropriately. The stimulant can boost performance and even potentially help with studying or work-related activities.
When consumed in moderation, coffee can also have a positive effect on cardiovascular health, according to data collected by the Netherlands Institute of Mental Health and Addiction (NIMH). It reported that those who had 3 to 4 cups of espresso per day were less likely to face cardiovascular risks than the general poppulation.
This is all the more true for older adults, whose influx of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants may otherwise be more scarce. Coffee then, can become a useful tool for keeping adeqate amounts of essential nutrients in their diet.
Some experts even surmise that, because coffee boosts alertness and productivity and because of its mild diuretic properties, it might reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia in older ages, although more research is needed on the matter.
Long-term Disadvantages
Coffee can also have a potential long-term downside and, although small, it is important to take note of it. The fact that coffee has stimulating effects makes it a commonly abused beverage, as it might end up covering for lack of sleep and even pushing individuals to be overly energetic in circumstances where sleep is needed.
At the present time, it is hard to ascertain the long-term risks of caffeine abuse, as all studies have only looked at the acute effects of coffee’s components. What is known, is that the body can develop a tolerance to the stimulant, possibly over time leading to heavy usage and health issues.
It is, therefore, important not to frown upon coffee as an unsafe beverage, but instead to educate individuals as to its appropriate usage, in order to avoid a culture of excess stimulation and energy drinks that can lead to extreme situations.
Genetic Dispositions
It is also important to take into account genetics when determining the age when coffee can be introduced. Some people may be genetically predisposed towards poor metabolization of a variety of substances, caffeine included.
In this case, its consumption should be delayed as long as possible, as the body might not be able to process it properly yet. A healthy lifestyle is key in such cases, as proper nutrition and lots of exercise might make the body ready for its consumption in these cases.
Coffee has the potential to become an effective tool in the long-term, if its consumption is properly instructed and supervised. Parents and caretakers, therefore, should be aware of when its usage can be safely introduced to children and teenagers, in order to prevent any potential risks or unethical habits.
The Global Coffee Industry
Coffee has become a global phenomenon, as different nations have experimented with its making and consumed it in ways unique to themselves. From the French’s popularization of the espresso to the English’s preference in the cappuchiono, coffee has largely come to define entire societies’ cultures.
Coffee is a global industry responsible for 8.4 million jobs worldwide, as reported by the International Coffee Organization (ICO). The majority of these are based in developing countries, that heavily depend on the plant’s production. From farmers to exporting corporations, coffee has thus become a pillar of many Third World markets.
The production of coffee has also grown exponentially over the past decades, with one of the most remarkable cases being that of Vietnam. While its production increased 13 million bags in 1999, It is now 37 million bags as of 2016. This growth is mostly attributed to the 1994’s trade agreement between the United States and Vietnam.
Coffee producers of the world, after all, attain almost 31 billion dollars a year through exports alone, according to the ICO. This large industry is one that heavily affects global markets, and the decisions of many. It is thus important to remember both its potential value and risks.
Effects on the Environment
Coffee’s production is responsible for a large number of adverse environmental effects. From pollution to deforestation and water loss, the prevalence of coffee, often monocultures, has had a harmful effect on the environment.
In Ethiopia and Vietnam, as reported by the World Resources Institute (WRI), trees have been cleared from sensitive soil particulary affected by the clearing process. In order to maintain production levels, the respective governments have resorted to more mechanization, upping their dependence on fossil fuels. This is in addition to the fertilizer and pesticides used to ensure the growth of new plants.
This kind of industrialization has occured in many other countries heavily invested in coffee’s production, such as China, India, Columbia and Benin. Its effects, admittedly are not uniform but depend largely on the particular practices of the various countries. Coffee thus, can become a source of pollution, if not managed properly.
Another potential harm is the use of disposable cups, as coffeehouses are responsible for approximately 559,000 tons of disposable cups waste world-wide. This waste is often not properly managed, and can end up causing severe damage to the environment.
The Fairtrade Solution
In order to remedy these adverse effects, the World Trade Organization (WTO) has decided to implement a fairtrade policy for coffee. This agreement, based on WTO’s principles of sustainability, promises fair wages for the producer countries of coffee and assures proper management of the product’s creation.
By implementing such policy, the environmental and utilitarian value of the product increases, as only suppliers who adhere to this set of principles can be certified as fair trade. The agreement also guarantees no child labor and no exploitation under any circumstance.
This effort has already proven successful in different countries, such us Ethiopia and Mexico, where fair trade agreements have been enacted. This effort has resulted in higher profits for the farmers, as well as shorter markets and better working conditions.
Fair trade agreements, therefore, can ensure that coffee continues to be a profitable and relatively secure product, as well as a beneficial one for all involved.
