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Is it safe for teens to have coffee in moderation

eyestothesky22
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?
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Replies

  • eyestothesky22
    eyestothesky22 Posts: 4 Member
    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.
  • LyndaBSS
    LyndaBSS Posts: 6,964 Member
    What health benefits does coffee provide?

    I'm not a coffee drinker. It's a migraine trigger for me.
  • CSARdiver
    CSARdiver Posts: 6,252 Member
    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.
  • Kereru44
    Kereru44 Posts: 28 Member
    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.
  • J_NY_Z
    J_NY_Z Posts: 2,540 Member
    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.html
  • Theoldguy1
    Theoldguy1 Posts: 2,496 Member
    edited October 2019
    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.

  • mbaker566
    mbaker566 Posts: 11,233 Member
    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 anecdotal
  • quiksylver296
    quiksylver296 Posts: 28,439 Member
    Most teenagers drink soda. Why would coffee be any different?
  • J_NY_Z
    J_NY_Z Posts: 2,540 Member
    Coffee is different because its caffeine per unit volume is roughly 3 times what it is in soda.
  • youngmomtaz
    youngmomtaz Posts: 1,075 Member
    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.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    LyndaBSS wrote: »
    What health benefits does coffee provide?

    I'm not a coffee drinker. It's a migraine trigger for me.

    Coffee is packed with antioxidants.
  • girlwithcurls2
    girlwithcurls2 Posts: 2,281 Member
    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.
  • Theoldguy1
    Theoldguy1 Posts: 2,496 Member
    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.
  • DancingMoosie
    DancingMoosie Posts: 8,619 Member
    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.
  • Theoldguy1
    Theoldguy1 Posts: 2,496 Member
    LAT1963 wrote: »
    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.

    Or how about neither.
  • steph2strong
    steph2strong Posts: 426 Member
    So here in Canada the legal drinking age is 18 or 19 depending on the province. Voting age is 18. I would sure hope my kids are able to regulate drinking coffee, tea and soda by the time they are allowed to go out and consume alcohol on their own and decide who are next government is going to be. Most "kids" enter university around the age of 17-18 and are going to be drinking caffeine in some form. Like everything else in life, when kids are younger they need to be taught the effects of caffeine and how tea, coffee, pop are not "free for all" drinks. Kids should definitely not be drinking energy drinks that have highly concentrated doses of caffeine and other "psychoactive" agents. Coffee is not something I would offer to my kids (neither is cola/pop but thats for other reasons), but once in high school it might be "fashionable" to start drinking coffee beverages among peers (you know that mature appearance they all want) and with the fancy lattes, frappes and what not that every coffee chain offers now I'm hoping they can start to make mature decisions on their own, view it as a "special treat". Bottom line, unlimited high doses of caffeine are harmful to youth, but all caffeine can not be eliminated from their diet, especially as they get older and learning moderation and appreciation of what they put in their bodies is key. (best way they can learn this is by example.... no matter what you say kids will always learn more from watching what you do, so back up your words with actions)
  • viki4tango
    viki4tango Posts: 37 Member
    edited October 2019
    1.Problem number one - caffeine has a serious effect on the nervous system, which at fourteen still continues to form. This leads to sleep disturbance and makes the teenager easily excitable. In addition, the increased production of adrenaline not only gives strength, but also exhausts the heart. The consequence may be a violation of the heart rhythm and other unpleasant problems.

    2. Caffeine seriously raises blood glucose levels. As a result, an imbalance in the pancreas can occur. Ultimately, it can lead to a violation of its function.

    3. Also, do not forget that the alkaloid in question has a strong diuretic effect. As a result, excessive leaching of calcium from the body occurs. Its deficiency can lead to defects associated with the formation of bones, and slow their growth.

    The main problem with drinking a drink in adolescence is the difficulty in determining a safe dose. Because the children's body is constantly undergoing changes. Therefore, it is advisable to protect the child from addiction to coffee.

  • viki4tango
    viki4tango Posts: 37 Member
    The main problem is not caffeine as such, but its quantity. If you drink the drink in moderation, the body will not receive any harm. At the same time, if you regularly drink large volumes of coffee, this can lead to health problems.

    It should also be remembered that regular use of the drink can be addictive. It is permissible for a healthy adult to drink up to three cups of the drink per day. With children, the situation is somewhat different. The age of the child is essential. In this case, the dosage in any case should be MUCH less than that of an adult.

    There is a competent answer of doctors to the question: “At what age can a child be given coffee?” This is permissible only in the puberty period. Simply put, at 14-15 years old. At this time, the human body has already coped with a period of hormonal burst. But at the same time, do not forget that the brain of the child continues to form, and his heart is subjected to quite serious stresses. Therefore, only a VERY moderate drink is acceptable. If your teenager does not show much interest in coffee, do not somehow encourage him/her to do this.
  • lemurcat2
    lemurcat2 Posts: 7,885 Member
    I started drinking coffee as a teen, my first year of college, which I started at 17. Filled whatever the dining hall cup was with about half coffee, half milk, not due to any moderation, but just because I didn't like it unless it was half milk back then.

    I don't think it was a big deal or caused any harm.

    Coffee helped me stay up all night several nights senior year, when I was finishing my thesis, but I was no longer a teen.

    I didn't drink it before 17 just because I never liked it -- my dad drank it black and so I'd not tried the coffee + milk thing. I'm sure I was partly just copying what others did in college.

    I drank tea occasionally at a younger age.

    I am with those who think there's a lot more serious issues to worry about than coffee.

    On the other hand: http://www.emmanuelmusic.org/notes_translations/translations_cantata/t_bwv211.htm

  • whitpauly
    whitpauly Posts: 1,483 Member
    My gramma let my brother drink coffee when he was 3,milk and sugar he's 41 now and fine
  • Diatonic12
    Diatonic12 Posts: 32,344 Member
    edited October 2019
    I can only imagine what my siblings and I would've been like all jacked UP on good coffee throughout our teen years. There are so many excellent tasting coffees now, we would've been absolute coffee junkies. For studying and sports, we would've thought we had super powers while swilling coffee. I can just see my old coach lining everyone up at the espresso machine for a few shots before we hit the field or the court. Everyone bouncing off the walls. I can only imagine. I think coffee is probably a better choice than energy drinks for teenage brains with all of those deliberately engineered chemical stimulants and best left to the medical professionals to decide what's right for children or teens.
  • magnusthenerd
    magnusthenerd Posts: 1,207 Member
    I find all the armchair physiology hypothesizing why coffee is harmful to young people fascinating given no one seems to produce evidence to warrant forming a hypothesis.
    What is the actual evidence it does some harm? Not "well here is why it could be" but actually something demonstrating a damage, a detriment, or even some kind of epidemiology? I find it incredibly lacking.

    I bring it up because I've seen the same analysis for why coffee absolutely, assuredly, without a single doubt, stunts growth in kids. Problem is, that's not true. Yet all kinds of people, even doctors, and some researchers had their own pet hypothesis for why it happens.

    I've also seen the same done for why coffee is bad for adults. That one is even worse because the evidence suggests coffee drinking is a health benefit - I don't care for coffee but have gradually moved to taking a cup a day against my preferences because of the evidence.

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