With enticing new frozen coffees and energy drinks popping up all the time, kids and teens are increasingly interested in trying beverages with caffeine. But, is it harmful for their health?

Recommended caffeine amounts for children and why it’s important

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that kids 12 and under have no caffeinated beverages, including soda, energy drinks, coffee or tea, and that adolescents have less than 100 milligrams of caffeine per day. This is about the amount in a standard 8-ounce cup of coffee you’d make at home.

“Caffeine is a stimulant, which means it can briefly help with alertness and attention, but the benefits don’t outweigh the risks,” said pediatrician Dr. Sean McKenna. “It can cause agitation and irritability, which is particularly troublesome for children who may already struggle with these feelings. It can also increase the risk for sudden cardiac arrest in people with known or unknown underlying heart conditions.”

Caffeine consumption can also lead to:

• Dehydration
• Headaches
• Higher blood pressure and heart rate
• Jitters
• Nervousness
• Problems with concentration
• Trouble sleeping
• Upset stomach

Some studies have shown that caffeine can also contribute to increased anxiety, depression and stress in kids, which can be compounded by caffeine-related sleep disruptions. Then there’s the issue of its addictive qualities. Adults who are used to a daily caffeine boost know it can be tough to skip. Quitting cold turkey can lead to headaches, irritability and shakiness. These certainly aren’t situations we want our kids to experience.

Caffeine is marketed to kids and teens

It’s rare to find a child or teen interested in a small cup of black coffee.

Energy drinks come in snazzy, brightly colored packaging to pique kids’ interest, making it easy to miss the tiny print that says they’re not recommended for children. Inside that packaging is more caffeine than found in soda, sometimes triple or quadruple the amount.

Also appealing to the younger crowd are the frozen milkshake-like coffee drinks. The chocolate, caramel, whipped cream and other fun flavors also contain excessive amounts of sugar, calories and fat. Consuming them on a regular basis can contribute to obesity and diabetes.

The bottom line? Caffeinated drinks come with unnecessary health risks and lack nutritional value. It’s best that kids opt for water or milk instead.

Look for more health tips for kids and teens on the CHoR blog.