Tea and coffee are not healthy drinks for children, because they contain caffeine - a stimulant that can negatively affect children's health.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), children under 12 years old should not consume caffeine in any form, while children aged 12-18 should only limit the maximum of 100 mg per day. The organization also recommends that children and adolescents should completely avoid energy drinks.
Nutritionist Rashi Chahal (Rosewalk Healthcare) said that caffeine can affect the heart, brain, kidneys and liver, while making children active, having difficulty controlling energy and changing mood. In addition, caffeine also affects the ability to absorb vitamins and minerals, while these are essential factors for children's physical development.
Not only found in tea and coffee, caffeine also appears in candy, chocolate, cookies and many bottled drinks. Children consuming too many of these products can cause caffeine intake to exceed the allowable level that parents are not aware of.
In addition, Rashi Chahal said that drinking tea or coffee at meals can reduce the ability to absorb minerals. For children, it is best to only consume milk or fruit juice in the morning - the time when the body needs healthy energy for the new day.
