Why is COFFEE bad for CHILDREN???

Question

Why is COFFEE bad for CHILDREN???

Answer 1

A stimulant that affects kids 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, it can make people feel more alert and energetic.

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 kids, 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 nutritional deficiencies.

    * Drinking too many sweetened caffeinated drinks could lead to dental cavities (or caries) from the high sugar content and the erosion of tooth enamel from acidity.

    * Caffeine is a diuretic that causes the body to eliminate water (through urinating), which may contribute to dehydration.

    * Abruptly stopping caffeine may cause withdrawal symptoms (headaches, muscle aches, temporary depression, and irritability).

    * Caffeine can aggravate heart problems or nervous disorders.  Some kids may not be aware they're at risk.

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