Understanding How Caffeine Affects Children: Insights from a Pediatrician

While a morning cup of coffee or tea is generally safe for adults, parents should be cautious about the caffeine and other stimulants in beverages their children consume. Many popular drinks consumed by kids contain surprisingly high levels of caffeine and sometimes additional stimulants, which can be more impactful in smaller bodies.

Recent data show that visits to emergency departments related to caffeine intoxication have nearly doubled among middle and high school students from 2017 to 2023. In 2023, poison control centers reported a 24% increase in calls regarding adverse reactions to energy drinks in young people.

Caffeine is a stimulant that increases alertness, energy, and brain activity. Natural sources include coffee, cacao beans, tea leaves, guarana berries, and kola nuts. However, caffeine can also be added artificially to foods, drinks, and medications. Children’s developing bodies are more sensitive to caffeine, making them more vulnerable to side effects such as rapid heartbeat, high blood pressure, anxiety, nausea, restlessness, sleep disturbances, diarrhea, and even irregular heart rhythms.

Caffeine can remain in a child's system for over 8 hours, leading to potential sleep problems, which in turn affect mood, immune function, and academic performance. It can also interfere with the intake of healthy nutrients by replacing nutritious foods and beverages with caffeinated sodas, energy drinks, or processed snacks.

Some children show increased sensitivity to caffeine, especially those with existing heart or lung conditions, or those taking stimulant medications for conditions like ADHD. For these reasons, the American Academy of Pediatrics advises avoiding caffeine altogether for children and recommends keeping caffeinated foods, drinks, and medicines out of their reach.

For adults, moderate caffeine consumption (less than 400 mg daily) is generally safe, but excess intake—especially from large coffee drinks, energy drinks, and hidden sources such as chocolates and processed foods—can be harmful. Energy drinks are particularly risky due to their high caffeine and sugar content, along with added stimulants like taurine, ginseng, and ginkgo.

An emerging concern is caffeine pouches, small packets placed between the gums and cheek, which can deliver up to 200 mg of caffeine quickly. These products are accessible to minors and pose risks of overdose.

To promote healthy choices, parents should talk openly with children about the dangers of caffeine, encourage hydration with water, and ensure they get adequate sleep. Recognizing signs of caffeine overdose and understanding safe limits are essential for safeguarding children’s health. For further details, see the source: MedicalXpress.