Welcome to Debate Club! Please be aware that this is a space for respectful debate, and that your ideas will be challenged here. Please remember to critique the argument, not the author.
Is it safe for teens to have coffee in moderation
Options
eyestothesky22
Posts: 4 Member
in Debate Club
Yep. 1 cup a day. Is it safe for teens? Ik coffee has health benefits in adults. Does it apply to teens to?
0
Replies
-
eyestothesky22 wrote: »Yep. 1 cup a day. Is it safe for teens? Ik coffee has health benefits in adults. Does it apply to teens to?
*too. Sorry about my grammar. I swear I'm usually better than this.1 -
What health benefits does coffee provide?
I'm not a coffee drinker. It's a migraine trigger for me.3 -
I would ask a doctor. Tea, Coke, Pepsi, Mountain Dew and a lot of other soft drinks have caffeine and sugar. I guess as with most things it's more about moderation.
This site is for adults, so ...5 -
Here's an interesting article - focusing on section 9.0:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2699625/
I wouldn't imagine any real harmful effects from a cup/daily, but would limit it at that. I've allowed it on special occasions, largely to make it out as a special treat linked to a special circumstance or event.0 -
I went to professional development this week with nathan mikaere Wallace who studies the brain. And he said that teens shouldn't drink coffee because their brains aren't fully developed. The female brain is fully developed between roughly 18 to 23 years old.3
-
I guess it would depend on the amount consumed. Since younger people need more restful sleep than adults, the temporary alerting of brain chemistry could be a detriment. Naturally the amount of adenosine increases throughout the day to the point that your brain says "alright, its sleep time". Consuming too much caffeine increases the likelihood that the caffeine will attach itself to the adenosine receptors and not allowing the buildup of the sleep inducing chemical.
I would say of course its up to parents and their discretion. But in my opinion, too much sugar and/or caffeine will not help young people.
Sources:
-Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams by Walker PhD, Matthew
-https://thebrain.mcgill.ca/flash/i/i_03/i_03_m/i_03_m_par/i_03_m_par_cafeine.html0 -
From the article linked:
For kids and teens, the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests caution. Adolescents ages 12 to 18 should cap daily caffeine intake at 100 mg (the equivalent of about one cup of coffee, one to two cups of tea, or two to three cans of soda). For children under 12, there’s no designated safe threshold.
https://healthblog.uofmhealth.org/childrens-health/parents-perk-up-to-dangers-of-caffeine-for-teens
IMO, most kids are going to get more than the recommended caffeine amount from soda, energy drinks, etc, not reason for a parent to encourage coffee drinking due to some potential minor health benefits.
0 -
meh. i've had coffee as a child. maybe not daily but weekly.
my stepdaughter has had coffee a few times a week since she was 12ish.
it doesn't seem to have an effect on us.
but that's just anecdotal1 -
Most teenagers drink soda. Why would coffee be any different?4
-
Coffee is different because its caffeine per unit volume is roughly 3 times what it is in soda.4
-
Both my younger sons like coffee and espresso. Both will drink it 3-5 times a week. Each are also on the borderline of being diagnosed with attention deficit disorder. The 16yo notices a marked difference in his ability to focus for his first two classes of the day after a mug of coffee. The 11yo, not so much yet but he is learning how to assess his body and probably is just unaware. There is a study or two stating the same; that caffeine in small doses can aid young people with their ability to focus. Unfortunately, for the son it benefits, he tends to lose good portable coffee mugs and also hates waking up more than 5min before his bus arrives so he only sees the good of coffee if he buys a cup or happens to drag himself out of bed earlier to get some. BTW, their doc has no issues with a cup a day or even part of an energy drink once in a while.2
-
-
youngmomtaz wrote: »Both my younger sons like coffee and espresso. Both will drink it 3-5 times a week. Each are also on the borderline of being diagnosed with attention deficit disorder. The 16yo notices a marked difference in his ability to focus for his first two classes of the day after a mug of coffee. The 11yo, not so much yet but he is learning how to assess his body and probably is just unaware. There is a study or two stating the same; that caffeine in small doses can aid young people with their ability to focus. Unfortunately, for the son it benefits, he tends to lose good portable coffee mugs and also hates waking up more than 5min before his bus arrives so he only sees the good of coffee if he buys a cup or happens to drag himself out of bed earlier to get some. BTW, their doc has no issues with a cup a day or even part of an energy drink once in a while.
I remember learning about the positive effects of moderate caffeine for kids with ADHD when I was in grad school 30 years ago. There weren't any studies out yet, but the anecdotal evidence was compelling.
My three kids all had caffeine from coffee or black tea throughout high school. I highly doubt it did anything to their undeveloped brains. We have much bigger fish to fry with teen brains IMO.1 -
youngmomtaz wrote: »Both my younger sons like coffee and espresso. Both will drink it 3-5 times a week. Each are also on the borderline of being diagnosed with attention deficit disorder. The 16yo notices a marked difference in his ability to focus for his first two classes of the day after a mug of coffee. The 11yo, not so much yet but he is learning how to assess his body and probably is just unaware. There is a study or two stating the same; that caffeine in small doses can aid young people with their ability to focus. Unfortunately, for the son it benefits, he tends to lose good portable coffee mugs and also hates waking up more than 5min before his bus arrives so he only sees the good of coffee if he buys a cup or happens to drag himself out of bed earlier to get some. BTW, their doc has no issues with a cup a day or even part of an energy drink once in a while.
Given the medical advice regarding kids and caffeine I'd find another doctor, mot one that says unregulated amounts of caffeine are okay.0 -
Theoldguy1 wrote: »youngmomtaz wrote: »Both my younger sons like coffee and espresso. Both will drink it 3-5 times a week. Each are also on the borderline of being diagnosed with attention deficit disorder. The 16yo notices a marked difference in his ability to focus for his first two classes of the day after a mug of coffee. The 11yo, not so much yet but he is learning how to assess his body and probably is just unaware. There is a study or two stating the same; that caffeine in small doses can aid young people with their ability to focus. Unfortunately, for the son it benefits, he tends to lose good portable coffee mugs and also hates waking up more than 5min before his bus arrives so he only sees the good of coffee if he buys a cup or happens to drag himself out of bed earlier to get some. BTW, their doc has no issues with a cup a day or even part of an energy drink once in a while.
Given the medical advice regarding kids and caffeine I'd find another doctor, mot one that says unregulated amounts of caffeine are okay.
If you read my post it says one cup of coffee or a part energy drink daily. And they each like it black or topped with foam. A small hit of caffeine is a far better choice than the large slurpee or other massive amounts of sugar most kids their age grab for snacks.6 -
cwolfman13 wrote: »
Exactly. I think people tend to forget that coffee is a plant based product and can have some health benefits in moderation.
6 -
I think a little coffee is probably better than soda, as long as it's not loaded with cream and sugar. A little milk in it can provide a little nutrition boost.2
-
I went to professional development this week with nathan mikaere Wallace who studies the brain. And he said that teens shouldn't drink coffee because their brains aren't fully developed. The female brain is fully developed between roughly 18 to 23 years old.
and the male brain? I'm guessing maybe that happens around 60, the way some dudes behave. (yes, this is a sexist joke. But don't we all know at least one guy who never matured beyond age 14?)
9 -
like for adults, caffeine can disrupt sleep cycles. If they keep their coffee drinking to before noon or so it should wear off before bedtime. If I had kids I'd rather they grab a latte than a red bull.5
-
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 391.3K Introduce Yourself
- 43.4K Getting Started
- 259.6K Health and Weight Loss
- 175.6K Food and Nutrition
- 47.3K Recipes
- 232.3K Fitness and Exercise
- 387 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.4K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.5K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 152.7K Motivation and Support
- 7.8K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.2K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.2K MyFitnessPal Information
- 22 News and Announcements
- 913 Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.3K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions