Is tea ok for young kids to drink?

Question

my sister gives it to her kids all the time ages 1 and 4. i thought with all the caffeine in it that it was a bad idea.

Answer 1

Yes. Defiantly.

Answer 2

It doesn't have HUGE amounts of caffeine.  I used to sip it all the time, especially in the winter.  Lot's of good antioxidants in that, as well.

Of course, I was a hyper-spaz as a child, though I doubt it was the caffeine in my tea.

One can also get decaffinated tea, as well, but if you're asking if your sister is doing harm to her kids, I doubt it.

Answer 3

I think they have caffine free tea

Answer 4

Most parents wouldn't dream of giving their kids a toasty cup of coffee, but they may routinely serve soft drinks containing caffeine. Although it's likely that your child will ingest caffeine at some time, it's a good idea to keep caffeine consumption to a minimum, especially in younger children.

Although the United States hasn't yet developed guidelines for caffeine intake and kids, Canadian guidelines recommend that preschool children get no more than 45 milligrams of caffeine a day. That's equivalent to the average amount of caffeine found in a 12-ounce (355-milliliter) can of soda or four 1.5-ounce (43-gram) milk chocolate bars.

What's Caffeine and How Does It Affect Kids?

A stimulant that affects children and adults similarly, caffeine is a drug that's naturally produced in the leaves and seeds of many plants. Caffeine is also made artificially and added to certain foods. Caffeine is defined as a drug because it stimulates the central nervous system. At lower levels, caffeine can make people feel more alert and like they have more energy.

In both kids and adults, too much caffeine can cause:

jitteriness and nervousness

upset stomach

headaches

difficulty concentrating

difficulty sleeping

increased heart rate

increased blood pressure

Especially in young children, it doesn't take a lot of caffeine to produce these effects.

Other reasons to limit kids' caffeine consumption include:

Consuming one 12-ounce (355-milliliter) sweetened soft drink per day increases a child's risk of obesity by 60%.

Not only do caffeinated beverages contain empty calories (calories that don't provide any nutrients), but kids who fill up on them don't get the vitamins and minerals they need from healthy sources, putting them at risk for developing nutritional deficiencies. In particular, children who drink too much soda (which usually starts between the third and eighth grades) may miss getting the calcium they need from milk to build strong bones and teeth.

Drinking too many sweetened caffeinated drinks could lead to dental cavities (or caries) from the high sugar content and the erosion of the enamel of the teeth from the acidity. Not convinced that sodas can wreak that much havoc on kids' teeth? Consider this: One 12-ounce (355-milliliter) nondiet, carbonated soft drink contains the equivalent of 10 teaspoons of sugar (49 milliliters) and 150 calories.

Caffeine is a diuretic that causes the body to eliminate water (through urinating), which may contribute to dehydration. Whether the amount of caffeine in beverages is enough to actually cause dehydration is not clear, however. It may depend on whether the person drinking the beverage is used to caffeine and how much caffeine he or she has consumed that day. To be on the safe side, it may be wise to avoid excessive caffeine consumption in hot weather, when children need to replace water lost through perspiration.

Abruptly stopping caffeine may cause withdrawal symptoms (headaches, muscle aches, temporary depression, and irritability), especially for those who are used to consuming a lot.

Caffeine can aggravate heart problems or nervous disorders, and some children may not be aware that they're at risk.

One thing that caffeine doesn't do is stunt growth. Although scientists once worried that caffeine could hinder a child's growth, this concern isn't supported by research.

Which Foods and Beverages Contain Caffeine?

Although kids get most of their caffeine from sodas, it's also found in coffee, tea, chocolate, coffee ice cream or frozen yogurt, as well as pain relievers and other over-the-counter medicines. Some parents may give their children iced tea in place of soda, thinking that it's a better alternative. But iced tea can contain as much sugar and caffeine as soda.

Answer 5

yup

Answer 6

Tea is actaully pretty healthy for you, I'm sure you could find some de-caffeinated tea.

Try this tea its called Shoga-Yu

(its just honey ,lemon & ginger)

1 cup boiling water

3 thin slices fresh ginger

Juice of 1/4 lemon, strained

1 teaspoon honey

Bring the cup of water to a boil. Meanwhile, peel and slice ginger and place in a mug. Pour heated water over ginger and allow to steep for three minutes. When beverage reaches a drinkable temparture, stir in lemon juice and honey.

serves 1

I found this in a manga magazine, its yummy!

Answer 7

It is perfectly safe and harmless

Answer 8

NOT IF ITS MADE OUT OF POT. GIVE THEM SOME COCA TEA

Answer 9

nah. tea is great 4 kids and all people espically durring a cold or something. and it is possible to get tea that is uncaffinated

Answer 10

i give ice tea o my grandbaby girl and she is 3 and i think it helps them to go the bathroom..too..

Answer 11

of course. coffee isn't though cause it can stop or reduce their growth

Answer 12

There are teas that are caffeine free.  My daughter likes sleepy time tea.  It helps her to calm down and fall asleep.  Chamomile or honey lemon tea is great for a cold.

Answer 13

yeah, tea is great for all ages!

Answer 14

Yes. If you need it or have a cold or are sick, with ginger of course.