The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that kids aged 12 to 18 consume no more than 100 mg of caffeine per day, which is about the amount in a single 8 oz. cup of brewed coffee. But the impact even this moderate amount of caffeine has on young people is less clear than it is for adults.
However, some researchers have reported that excessive caffeine intake by adolescents has been associated with a number of detrimental health effects such as nervousness, irritability, nausea, cardiovascular symptoms, sleep impairment, osteoporosis, and gastric ulcers [10].
The American Academy of Pediatrics discourages caffeine consumption for kids.
Children under 12 years old shouldn't consume any caffeine. Adolescents ages 12 to 18 should consume no more than 100 mg of caffeine per day.
No, there is no legal requirement for children under 16 years old to produce ID to purchase any caffeine containing foods and beverages including energy drinks. Is there a maximum amount that I can sell in one transaction?
“The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating canteen guide recommends that coffee-style products (including flavoured), and coffee-style milk drinks are avoided until high school. It is best to also avoid caffeinated drinks in adolescents while they are growing and bones are developing.
Here's the harsh truth: No amount of caffeine is proven safe for kids 12 and under. And guidelines say teens should consume no more than 100 milligrams of caffeine per day, which amounts to one cup of coffee or two cans of soda. As for energy drinks? Just say no to them altogether.
Susie advises that adolescents under 14 should avoid caffeine where possible, and teenagers between 14 and 17 years of age should limit their intake to 100mg or less a day. “That's equivalent to a small milky coffee (60mg), or a couple of cups of tea (30mg each), or some [dark] chocolate (26mg/40g) a day,” she says.
But coffee is the main source of caffeine among Americans 12 years and up. Based on my years of research, I'm confident that one daily cup of coffee won't harm kids over the age of 12 – as long as they avoid all other sources of caffeine.
Caffeine can have a negative effect on many parts of a teen's growing body. It can stunt their maturing brain and lead to bone loss. It can worsen other health conditions the teen may already have. It can also cause the teen to lose much-needed sleep, in turn affecting their overall health.
Energy drinks are not recommended for children and teens because of the amount of caffeine, sugars and other ingredients (like herbs and amino acids) they contain.
While switching to diet drinks can help cut calories and promote weight loss, experts advise against regular consumption of beverages with artificial sweeteners during childhood.
For healthy adults, the FDA has cited 400 milligrams a day—that's about four or five cups of coffee—as an amount not generally associated with dangerous, negative effects.
For children older than twelve, caffeine intake should fall between a maximum of 85-100 milligrams (mg) per day. That's the equivalent of about two 12 oz cans of soda or one 8 oz cup of coffee. A child is at risk for caffeine overdose and caffeine toxicity if they ingest over 50 mg per pound, which is toxic.
People aged 25-34 consume the most coffee in Australia. Reusable cups at coffee shops increased by 292% in 2019.
Why Does Coffee Stain My Teeth? While the enamel on your teeth is the hardest substance in the human body, it does have tiny pores. When you drink coffee, the tannins in the brew seep into those pores, leaving deep stains behind. As coffee is acidic, it can also wear the enamel away over time, leading to more stains.
Hu said that moderate coffee intake—about 2–5 cups a day—is linked to a lower likelihood of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, liver and endometrial cancers, Parkinson's disease, and depression. It's even possible that people who drink coffee can reduce their risk of early death.
Energy drinks are heavily marketed to kids, but energy drinks and kids don't mix. Some parents may not know that energy drinks can actually be harmful for kids' health. Most health professionals agree that energy drinks should be avoided among children and limited for adults.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, kids start dating at an average age of 12 and a half for girls and 13 and a half for boys. Every teen — or preteen — is different, though, and your child might be ready sooner or later than their peers.
How Long Does Caffeine Last? It takes from 15 to 60 minutes to feel the effects of caffeine. The effects may continue for around three to five hours, though it takes much longer for all the caffeine to leave the body.
In comparison, a 250ml can of Coke contains approximately 25mg of caffeine. To see which of our drinks contain caffeine and which are caffeine-free, check out the Nutrition Comparison tool.
Children over the age of 2 can enjoy herbal tea, and some experts note that it can be a healthy choice for children because it is hydrating and does not contain sugar, like juice or soda. Some herbal tea can be used to help manage symptoms of minor illnesses in children.
In children, caffeine can raise blood pressure and interfere with sleep. It can make children less aware of being tired. It can affect their moods and make anxiety worse. They can even suffer headaches from caffeine withdrawal.
Decaf coffee can be a safe and healthy beverage for kids, as long as it's consumed in moderation. However, there are a few things to keep in mind in can kids drink decaf coffee, such as the potential for dehydration and the fact that some brands of decaf coffee may still contain traces of caffeine.