Coffee, Caffeine & Children

Caffeine is present in soft drinks and foods that appeal to your child. Natural caffeine exists in approximately 60 plants, including the cacao pods that become part of chocolate products. Kids get most of their caffeine from soft drinks, but they are also drinking coffee beverages at younger ages.

Science of Caffeine

Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant that is not stored in the body. The Food and Drug Administration classifies caffeine as a drug and a food additive. The United States has not established guidelines for children's intake of caffeine, but Canadian guidelines say preschool children should ingest no more than 45 mg of caffeine per day. Although moderate amounts of caffeine are considered safe, a "moderate" amount varies with each individual's size, gender and sensitivity to caffeine. The American Dietetic Association reports that caffeine remains in the body for approximately three to four hours.

Coffee and Children

The American Dietetic Association reports that soft drinks are the largest source of caffeine for 2- to 17-year-old children. However, a growing number of middle and high school age children are consuming coffee, once favored exclusively by adults. Dan Raiten, a researcher at the National Institutes of Health, observes that greater numbers of children drink coffee at an earlier age. Children are not consuming mugs of black coffee. They are attracted to high-fat, blended coffee drinks that tip the caloric scales at 400 calories or more, according to Dr. Frank Greer, chairman of the American Academy of Pediatrics' committee on nutrition.

Dangers of Caffeine for Children

The American Dietetic Association warns that caffeine consumption leads to disrupted sleep patterns, anxiety, upset stomach and headaches for children and adults. A single 12-oz. sweetened soft drink contains 150 calories. Children who drink one or more 12-oz. sweetened soft drinks each day are 60 percent more likely to be obese. Between the third and eighth grades, children replace nutritious drink choices, such as milk, with caffeinated soft drinks. When caffeine consumption stops suddenly, withdrawal symptoms appear, such as headaches, muscle aches and irritability. Roland Griffiths, a caffeine expert and professor of psychology and neuroscience at Johns Hopkins University, asserts that caffeine is responsible for mood changes and physical dependence.

Limiting Caffeine in Your Child's Diet

Read the ingredient lists on food and beverage items consistently to check for sources of caffeine. Make water, milk, flavored seltzer and fruit juices accessible at all times. Offer decaffeinated sodas, coffee and tea. Record how many caffeinated drinks your child consumes each day. Substitute one caffeinated drink with a caffeine-free choice per week until your child's caffeine consumption is less than 100 mg. For teens who drink coffee, reduce coffee consumption very gradually. Children experience fatigue when removing caffeine from the diet. Counteract fatigue by ensuring that your child gets adequate sleep, stays hydrated and engages in regular physical activity.