
Headaches and agitation are common withdrawal symptoms. Long-term use of caffeine can lead to caffeine addiction and withdrawal when the child stops or reduces caffeine consumption. “Short-term effects can ruin a day but over time they can cause disruption in important relationships and in, extreme examples, school failure.” Short-term side effects of caffeine “Kids are smaller than adults and it takes much less caffeine to cause adverse effects on their bodies,” says Buchholz. They also require regularly scheduled meals of healthy food, opportunities to play and interact with other children and adults, and opportunities to develop and learn and to test the acquisition of new skills.Ĭonsuming caffeine not only interferes with regular development (acquisition of skills, emotional and social health, and more), it also instigates side effects that may have long-term health consequences if a child also has underlying health conditions, such as high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease, or anxiety disorders.īottom line: Caffeine has no nutritional value but plenty of side effects that negatively impact health.

Caffeinated drinks free#
It works by stimulating the brain.īuchholz recommends parents model good behavior by choosing non-caffeinated foods and drinks when having meals with their kids, and schools should provide healthy choices, free of caffeine. What is caffeine?Ĭaffeine is a compound found naturally in some plants and added to food, drinks, and supplements. Unfortunately, sleep disturbances can decrease concentration. Often, says Buchholz, the goal is improved concentration in athletes and students. Yet few make the connection to caffeine consumption, even as more children add caffeine to their diets. The most common complaints Buchholz and his team hear from patients: difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, and waking up in the morning. Yes, sugar is a large part of why these beverages are bad for health, but caffeine should not be overlooked. “Caffeine-containing foods and beverages can have effects on the body and mind that interfere with every aspect of what children need to thrive,” says Columbia pediatrician David Buchholz, MD.

That means it’s not okay for kids to consume soda, coffee, black and green tea, energy drinks, chocolate, foods with chocolate and/or coffee, and anything else that contains the world’s most consumed psychostimulant.

How much caffeine is safe for kids? There’s not enough research to determine a specific amount, but many doctors you ask will say the same thing: None.
