It’s common for adults to grab a coffee or make their own as one of the first tasks of the day. But coffee isn’t the only source of caffeine in the typical American diet—and your child is likely being marketed sugary drinks filled with caffeine.
Children may be far more sensitive to caffeine than some adults, so it’s important to consider the health risks associated with including caffeine in an adolescent’s diet.
How Caffeine Affects the Body
Did you know that caffeine is classified as a drug? Caffeine is a stimulant, meaning it stimulates the nervous system. When you eat or drink something containing caffeine, your body and brain can feel energized.
For adults, that is often the desired effect. When you drink several cups of coffee in the morning, that caffeine consumption is intended to wake you up and get you going. You’re feeling sleepy or groggy, so you want to speed things up.
It’s quite easy, however, to get too much caffeine. Excessive caffeine consumption can lead to a number of uncomfortable and even dangerous symptoms, such as jitteriness, an upset stomach, a racing heart or abnormal heart rhythm, high blood pressure, poor sleep and headaches.
The Effects of Caffeine on Kids
Drinking coffee and other sources of caffeine, like soda, can cause even more health issues in children since their bodies are still developing. Children who consume caffeine can become dehydrated and possibly experience a slower absorption of nutrients such as calcium.
It’s also easier for children to overdose on caffeine because of their generally smaller size. For kids, symptoms of caffeine overdose can include vomiting, disorientation or hallucinations. Children and teens who have existing health conditions, such as heart problems or seizures, may be at an even higher risk of overdosing on caffeine.
The Bottom Line About Kids and Caffeine
Caffeine is present in many different foods and drinks, and it’s naturally occurring in foods like chocolate. It’s likely that many people get at least some caffeine in the course of a normal day without specifically trying to consume caffeine.
Is any amount of caffeine safe for kids? The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends that adults consume no more than 400 milligrams of caffeine per day, the equivalent of about four or five cups of coffee, but it does not have a set guideline for children.
With kids and caffeine, less is always better. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that kids and teens avoid sugary and caffeinated drinks, such as soda, sports drinks, energy drinks and many others. In the long run, these types of beverages can increase the risk of excess weight gain, cavities, heart disease, diabetes and fatty liver disease.
Energy Drinks and Caffeine Consumption
If you’d like to limit your child’s intake of caffeine, you’ll want to look beyond the usual suspects. While coffee and soda are certainly sources of caffeine, energy drinks are one of the biggest sources of caffeine today. Some energy drinks even masquerade as sports drinks, which makes them seem safer than they are.
The AAP has long opposed children’s consumption of sports drinks and energy drinks. In a 2011 statement, they reported that both types of beverages contain excessive sugar. Energy drinks can also contain as much caffeine as an espresso.
Because their bodies are much more susceptible to the adverse effects of caffeine, children and teens should not drink energy drinks. Caffeine can also appear in other foods, so look for it on the labels of ice cream, yogurt, pre-workout drink mixes and even inconspicuous products like flavored water or protein bars.
While a small amount of caffeine in the course of your child’s regular diet is unlikely to have a harmful effect in most cases, it’s best to limit caffeine intake as much as possible. Talk with your pediatrician if you have specific questions about your child and caffeine.
More to Read
- 6 Surprising Foods with Caffeine—and What to Do When You’ve Had Too Much
- Tired? Having Headaches? You Could Be Experiencing Caffeine Withdrawal
- Is Caffeine Bad for Your Heart? It Depends.
- Is There Such a Thing as a Healthy Sports Drink?
Medically reviewed by Casey Holloway Mabry, MD.
