There’s been a myth for some time regarding how coffee can stunt a person’s growth, but there is no scientific evidence to confirm this. There are some medical reasons why this myth may have been perpetuated, but they are assumptions based on misconstruing information.
This myth has also been used to advise children and teens to avoid drinking coffee. While young children shouldn’t be drinking coffee, it is not necessarily harmful for teens to drink some as long as they monitor their intake.
Why Is It Believed That Coffee Stunts Growth?
The myth that coffee stunts growth was most likely perpetuated from the idea that caffeine can inhibit the absorption of calcium into your bones. However, some studies have found that caffeine will not impact your bone health.
You would have to drink way more caffeine than what is healthy in order for it to have that much of an effect on your bones. Furthermore, once a person’s bones have developed, they don’t shrink. They can be damaged or they can degenerate due to certain health conditions, but that is not the same thing.
Can Coffee Have Any Impact On Growth Or Development?
Depending on the type of coffee a young person drinks, as well as how much, there is some evidence of certain health impacts regarding growth and development. One of the biggest risks is sugary, processed coffee drinks popular with younger people, as they can lead to weight issues and high sugar intake that can lead to many issues later in life.
Coffee might also have an impact on a young person’s sleeping patterns, especially if they drink too much or drink it too late. Sleep is crucial for a young person’s growth and development.
What About Decreased Height In Adults? Could This Be Because Of Coffee?
Due to the belief that coffee stunts growth because it depletes calcium absorption, there is also the belief that this causes bone issues for adults, like osteoporosis that might decrease their height.
The link between coffee and/or caffeine and the development of osteoporosis does not exist. There was a point in time where some experts believed it did, but there was never any confirmation.
How Can I Curb The Calcium Depletion Coffee Can Cause?
Even if you drink multiple cups of coffee a day, you don’t really have to be overly concerned about depletion of calcium. However, if you have a concern, all you need to do is ensure you get some calcium in your diet.
You can get calcium through dairy products, leafy greens, and some breads.
If Bone Issues Run In My Family, Will Coffee Make Them Worse?
Studies have monitored women – who tend to suffer from bone issues the most – who drank a lot of coffee and women who didn’t drink a lot of coffee. There was no difference in the quality of bone health between the two groups of women.
If you are concerned about developing bone issues because of your genetics, there are other diet and lifestyle habits that should be prioritized above trying to quit coffee, especially if you enjoy it.
Is Coffee Generally Healthy Or Unhealthy?
Coffee is not an unhealthy beverage. When coffee is mixed with a lot of sugar or additives, or is blended into coffee drinks with syrups and other artificial ingredients, it can be unhealthy in excess.
Coffee has actually been heavily studied, being that it is such a popular beverage, and it is shown to have multiple health benefits. Some of these include decreased risk of heart disease, decreased risk of certain cancers, and improved kidney and liver health.
Is Caffeine Healthy Or Unhealthy?
Caffeine is not inherently unhealthy, but consumption should be monitored. Caffeine can also be addictive, and eliminating caffeine from your diet needs to be done gradually and carefully.
Too much caffeine can have an impact on your health, as it can disrupt sleep, as well as cause a temporary spike in blood pressure and increased anxiety. However, no conclusive evidence suggests any long-term or serious impacts to one’s health from caffeine.
At What Age Is It Safe To Start Drinking Coffee?
Different experts have slightly varying recommendations for coffee consumption in younger folks, but it is generally accepted that children under 12 should not consume coffee. Their caffeine intake should be minimal as well.
What Impacts Can Caffeine Have On Children?
A developing body cannot handle certain stimuli as well as an adult body, and this includes caffeine. Therefore, a younger person who consumes coffee might notice an increase in unsavory effects of caffeine, such as jitters, elevated blood pressure, and even heart palpitations.
No serious risks of drinking coffee are known right now for children, but it is known that too much caffeine can be dangerous for children.
If your child appears to be dependent on their caffeine to get through the day, there might be a health issue that has gone unnoticed leading to either disturbed sleep or lack of energy. At this point, a doctor should be consulted to get to the root of the problem.
Are There Recommended Caffeine Limits For Younger Folks?
If a child over 12 is consuming coffee, or other sources of caffeine, they should be limited to between 80 and 100 milligrams of caffeine per day. This would be equal to one cup of brewed coffee. For comparison’s sake, an adult’s daily recommended dose of caffeine is between 400 and 500 milligrams.
Who Should Avoid Drinking Coffee?
Anyone who notices adverse effects from the caffeine in coffee should not drink it. If you are drinking it for the taste, opt for decaf coffee.
Anyone who might have a serious heart condition or an irregular heartbeat, or someone who might have anxiety that is not under control should either not drink coffee, or should limit their intake.
It is also recommended for those who are pregnant or have sleep disorders should limit their coffee, but it is safe for them to drink small amounts if they choose to.
Hi, I’m Jen Williams, chief editor and writer for ThirstPerk.com.
I’ve been drinking coffee and tea for most of my life, but it wasn’t until I started working at Thirstperk.com that I became an expert on the subject. I’m a total caffeine addict who has spent hours upon hours reading about and experimenting with the different types of coffees out there in my search to find the perfect cup of joe.
I’ve been a tea lover for as long as I can remember as well. I grew up in a house with a mom who loved to drink herbal tea, and I think that’s where my love for tea first began. These days, I’m always on the lookout for new and interesting teas to try, and I love experimenting with different brewing methods and flavoring combinations.