{"id":83069,"date":"2024-01-22T03:32:02","date_gmt":"2024-01-22T01:32:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.caffeinedude.com\/?p=83069"},"modified":"2024-01-22T03:32:02","modified_gmt":"2024-01-22T01:32:02","slug":"when-should-kids-drink-coffee","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.caffeinedude.com\/when-should-kids-drink-coffee\/","title":{"rendered":"When Should Kids Drink Coffee"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Health<\/h2>\n

When it comes to whether or not children should drink coffee, opinions vary widely. On the one hand, some parents are worried that coffee can have a negative effect on their children’s health, while others see no harm in it. So, when is it appropriate for kids to start drinking coffee and what are some of the potential risks?<\/p>\n

As a general rule, it is recommended that children under the age of five should never consume coffee of any type. This is because the caffeine in coffee can upset a child’s developing digestive system and lead to discomfort and restlessness. Caffeine is also a diuretic, meaning it boosts urination in children and could lead to dehydration if they do not balance out the increase in fluids they require by drinking enough water. Furthermore, caffeine can affect a child’s ability to concentrate and can leave them feeling irritable or tired if they drink too much.<\/p>\n

Although the effects of caffeine vary from person to person, The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children over the age of 12 should not consume more than 100mg of caffeine per day. That is roughly equivalent to one cup of coffee. It is also important to note that energy drinks and sodas contain much higher amounts of caffeine and therefore should not be consumed by children at all.<\/p>\n

Just as important as the amount of caffeine consumed is the timing of when it is consumed. Due to the fact that caffeine is a stimulant, it can affect a child’s sleep patterns and make it harder for them to get to sleep at night. It is therefore important for parents to think carefully about when their child consumes coffee, especially in the hours leading up to bed time.<\/p>\n