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There is no compelling evidence that coffee stunts the growth of children, but as this article from Yahoo! Health points out, it's generally a bad idea to give kids caffeine. It can interfere with sleep habits, exacerbate hyperactivity, and contribute to dehydration. Caffeine is a diuretic, which means it causes the body to eliminate water. Kids get most of their caffeine through soft drinks. By opting for these fizzy drinks over milk, vegetable, or fruit juices, children can miss out on nutrients. Also, both caffeinated drinks and many juices can contain hefty helpings of sugar, and excessive sugar consumption is a big contributing factor to
childhood obesity. Not surprisingly, coffee and caffeine are a constant subject of health studies. A recent search of the Yahoo! Health News resulted in articles claiming that caffeine is a contributing factor in heartburn, high blood pressure, and even still-births. Still, the general consensus is that moderate consumption of caffeine (200-300 mg, or two cups of coffee, a day) doesn't pose a health risk. Which is good news for us here at Ask Yahoo!.
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