It's a Fact Small Children Drink Black Coffee and Other Caffeinated Beverages

For adults, drinking black coffee that contains caffeine is a common thing, even a habit. But, what if black coffee is consumed by young children? Check out the facts of drinking coffee and other caffeinated drinks in children through the following description. You may often hear the myth that giving black coffee can help maintain children's health. But before giving coffee or other caffeinated drinks, first consider the following facts.

Facts about Little Children Drinking Black Coffee

Black coffee, tea, chocolate, and certain soft drinks contain a substance called caffeine. These substances can affect the body's metabolism, stimulate the central nervous system, increase concentration, make more alert and awake, and provide additional energy. Although it has many benefits, in young children, coffee and other caffeinated drinks can have adverse effects, because children's body responses to caffeine are different from adults. The following are facts of consumption of black coffee and other caffeinated drinks in children that are important for you to know:

1. Causes sleep disturbance

Consumption of black coffee or other caffeinated drinks in small doses is enough to keep children awake all day. This is because the caffeine contained in black coffee and other drinks can be a stimulant that can increase children's blood pressure and heart rate, and make them difficult to sleep. In addition, increased blood pressure due to caffeine can also cause children to become hyperactive and difficult to concentrate.

2. Triggering digestive disorders

Not only causes sleep disorders, children who consume black coffee and other caffeinated drinks can also experience indigestion. This is because the caffeine content in it can increase stomach acid, so that children more easily experience heartburn and stomach aches.

3. Increase the risk of malnutrition

Consuming black coffee and other caffeinated drinks can also increase the risk of children experiencing malnutrition. The reason is, these drinks do not contain nutrients, such as vitamins and minerals, which are needed by children in their infancy. Excessive consumption of these drinks can increase the risk of children experiencing malnutrition.

4. Causes dehydration

Caffeine in black coffee and other drinks are diuretic, which can cause the body to release a lot of fluid through urine. If too much bodily fluids are expelled, the child is at risk of dehydration.

5. Inhibiting the growth of children

The caffeine in black coffee and other drinks can also inhibit a child's growth. This is because caffeine can interfere with the absorption of calcium in a child's body, so the child's bone growth will be disrupted.

6. Causing cavities

When consuming caffeinated drinks, adding sugar and other sweeteners is often done. This can cause the drink consumed by children to have a high sugar content, and if consumed too much, it can cause children to get dental caries or cavities.

7. Increase the risk of obesity

Black coffee mixed with syrup, sugar, whipped cream or whipped cream contains more calories. If excessive calorie intake, the body will automatically convert these calories into fat. Too much fat in the body can cause obesity and various health problems.

8. Cause side effects when stopped

The habit of consuming caffeine can cause side effects when you want to stop. Stop consuming caffeine suddenly can cause headaches, muscle aches, temporary depression, and irritability.

9. Worsen heart and nerve disease

For children who have congenital heart disease and neurological disorders, consumption of caffeinated beverages should be avoided. The reason is, consuming caffeinated drinks can worsen these two diseases.

Know the Limits of Caffeine Intake in Children

Actually, children or teens are allowed to consume caffeinated drinks, including black coffee. It's just that, there are limits in taking them. Here are the maximum limits of caffeine consumption per day in children:

• 45 mg for children aged 4-6 years.
• 62.5 mg for children aged 7-9 years.
• 85 mg for children aged 10-12 years.

In addition, certain types of coffee, such as espresso, cappuccino, and latte, should be consumed when the child is 18 years old. Be careful about giving black coffee or caffeinated drinks to children. You can consult your pediatrician to find out the intake of foods and drinks that are good for children's health and support their growth and development.