Think about the first time you were served with a cup of coffee. 16 years old in the Starbucks coffee shop or only 8 at home consuming the cup made for the family gathering? Or it may not be the both. How did it feel?

We consider it harmful for kids to start drinking coffee at a young age. And excessive caffeine intake will lead to dangerous results and negative effects on children, which has proven by some health experts.

Then what on earth should be the right age for kids to start drinking coffee?

Standard for caffeine intake in kids

• Kids aged 4 to 6——no more than 45 milligrams a day
• Kids aged 7 to 9——no more than 63 milligrams a day
• Kids aged 10 to 12——no more than 85 milligrams a day
• Kids aged 13 and up——no more than 125 milligrams a day (It is based on the body weight.)

If you want to quantify the caffeine intake by cups, first you should know how many mg of caffeine in a cup of coffee. Generally, the average caffeine content of an 8-oz, brewed cup of coffee is 95 mg. But it differs on different types of coffee.

Practically, it is unnecessary for kids under 12 to drink coffee. The core standard is that you had better cut the amount according to their ages, and even avoid giving any if it is possible. In addition, it seems to be plausible and secure to get your kids started for coffee consuming at the age of 18, at which period their growth and development is slowing down. The reason is that contrasted to those in the adolescent age, most kids under 12 years old have enough energy for their daily activities and there is no need for extra coffee consuming.

Effects of caffeine intake overdose on kids

Coffee is addictive, for the caffeine content in it stimulates your brain and nervous system.

People who drink too much caffeine may cause symptoms like

• hyperactivity
• poor appetite regulation
• mood swings
• lack of concentration
• insomnia
• headaches
• and even increased blood pressure

This comes quicker and worse when it comes to kids.

Still, many people have learned that coffee the kids drink may interfere with their calcium absorption, and thus have a negative effect on their growth. This is not often the case, one thing to be sure is that keep coffee drinks in a moderate amount; it won’t stunt children’s growth.

Other caffeine intake sources you should know

Soda, chocolate and tea are common drinks that contain caffeine.  You should figure out the total amount your kids have taken, and cut down the dose gradually to avoid withdrawal symptoms.

It is quite important to help your kids to develop good coffee drinking habits since their childhood. Hope you have known how to do from reading this.

SHIJINA RIJESH