Your teen may want to act like an adult, but it doesn't necessarily mean he should drink coffee like one. The American Dietetic Association suggests that adults consume about 200 to 300 mg per day -- the equivalent of two to three cups of coffee. But teens are still growing and developing, and consuming caffeine excessively may have negative side effects. Talk to your teen's doctor before making any changes in his diet, especially if he has allergies or health conditions.
Coffee Nutrition Facts
Coffee is low in calories, but high in caffeine. A cup of black coffee contains approximately 2 calories, 5 mg of sodium, no fat, no carbohydrates and approximately 115 mg of caffeine. If your teen adds sugar or cream to her coffee, she's increasing her calorie and fat intake significantly. Additionally, drinking blended coffee drinks from coffee shops may contain far more fat and calories than traditional coffee -- a medium frozen caramel coffee drink, for example, contains 380 calories and 15 g of fat. Coffee contains more caffeine than tea or soda, but less caffeine than an energy drink.
Coffee Myths
If you've told your teen to avoid caffeine because it will stunt his growth, set the record straight. Although it was once a popular belief that coffee stunted the growth of developing teens and children, this is not the case. Additionally, coffee drinkers are not more prone to cancer or heart disease than individuals who never drink coffee. Drinking coffee in moderation is fine for your teen, as long as he doesn't consume it in excessive amounts.
Coffee Benefits
Drinking coffee in moderation isn't necessarily healthy for your teen, but if her doctor approves, drinking coffee probably won't be harmful, either. Coffee is high in antioxidants, and it may reduce the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes, liver cancer and Parkinson's disease, notes preventative medicine specialist Donald Hensrud, M.D. in the MayoClnic.com article "Coffee and Health: What Does the Research Say?" Do not use coffee as a remedy or preventative measure for any illness.
Coffee Drawbacks
In some cases, coffee may slightly elevate cholesterol levels, says Dr. Hensrud. For some individuals, drinking coffee can increase the risk of developing heart disease, but only in specific genetic mutations, so contact your teen's doctor before allowing him to drink coffee. If your teen consumes more than two or three cups of coffee a day, he may experience irritability, anxiety and may have difficulty concentrating. Educate your teen on which foods and drinks contain caffeine. Mixing them -- like consuming a bar of chocolate and a cup of coffee at the same time -- may increase your teen's caffeine intake, making the side effects even more pronounced.
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