Grandmas say: Drinking coffee too young will “stunt your growth.” Science says: Drinking coffee too young may KILL YOU. (???)
According to new health guidelines, kids and teenagers between five and 18 should NEVER have caffeine.
They should also limit their intake of 100% juice and flavored milks, and avoid “sugar-sweetened beverages, and drinks containing artificial sweeteners.”
Instead, they should stick to water and plain milk.
Experts are concerned because a lot of energy drinks have large amounts of caffeine. And too much can cause sleep issues . . . high blood pressure . . . and anxiety. Caffeine withdrawal adds its own problems, including headaches.
In extreme cases, kids have even DIED from energy drinks.
Caffeine is a stimulant, and pediatricians say it can impact younger bodies differently than adults. And kids may be less equipped to manage the mental and physical side effects.
That said, restricting your kids to just water and plain milk is a TALL ORDER. (Actually, it’s a GRANDE . . . if not a VENTI.) (???)
1. “Coffee culture” has become firmly entrenched, even for many teenagers.
2. Virtually EVERY drink that’s targeted at kids includes: Sugar, artificial sweeteners, or caffeine “energy.”
3. Caffeine also shows up in sneaky ways in some foods and drinks. Stuff like “charged” drinks . . . chocolate bars . . . some protein bars . . . herbal drinks . . . and “energy boosting” gums and snacks.
Research shows that nearly a quarter of teens have caffeine “all” or “most days” of the week.
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