Should Kids Drink Coffee?

It's one thing for adults to jump start their day with a cup or two (or three or four) of coffee, but is it safe for kids? Drive by any coffee shop these days and you'll find an alarming new trend: half the habitancy standing in line with you for your morning double-double are teenagers! Obviously the recent proliferation of coffee shops in the last few decades has contributed to this phenomenon and like all trends, parent should be well informed about the decisions their young teens are making.

Caffeine is the most widely consumed drug in the world. Regular consumption of coffee and soft drinks had been found to significantly sacrifice levels of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals needed to hold salutary bones and chemical reactions in the body. Excessive coffee consumption has been linked to stroke, diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis!

Coffee

Let's not exclude the most favorite caffeinated drinks among teens: energy drinks. These drinks can consist of more than four times the caffeine as a Regular soft drink! Also, because they are relatively new on the scene, parents may not perceive how damaging they can be.

As I've mentioned before in previous articles, your kids are watching! When 80-90% of all adults description Regular caffeine use, it's no wonder our children have followed suit. Remember eating habits and food behavior are established early on in childhood and adolescence and will be carried transmit well into adulthood.

As a loving parent, please assist your children in production healthier beverage choices. Here are some tips:

• Give your kids an engaging alternative such as juices or bottled water.

• Do not substitute caffeinated drinks with diet drinks. Often, diet drinks will consist of More caffeine.

• Watch you child's caffeine intake and discourage them from drinking caffeinated drinks on a Regular basis.

• Set the example by reducing your own consumption of caffeinated drinks.

Should Kids Drink Coffee?