According to Statista (2022), Kenya’s domestic coffee consumption was at 43,000 60kg bags by the end of 2022.
With coffee being the second most popular hot beverage in the country after tea, there are concerns that many children could be taking the drink.
Johns Hopkins, a specialised children’s hospital, warns parents against giving coffee to kids below the age of 12 years.
“Caffeine is harmful to children since it has a dose-response effect. Because children are smaller in body size, it takes less to impact their functioning,” the hospital warns.
“Children and adolescents are also still developing and the impact of caffeine on their nervous systems and cardiovascular systems is not fully known,” Johns Hopkins adds.
Kenyans.co.ke compiled four ways taking coffee can negatively affect children.
Increased anxiety
According to the hospital, coffee can cause anxiety in humans and this can be more severe in children.
“Caffeine which is found in coffee is a psychoactive drug and acts as a central nervous system stimulant.
“Consuming too much can lead to symptoms of anxiety,” parents are warned.
Increased heart rate and blood pressure
According to Johns Hopkins, the effects of caffeine can last for several hours, taking up to 10 hours for it to clear your bloodstream.
If the child took coffee in the morning, the amount of caffeine in the child’s body can add up as they take other drinks
“Due to this, long-term over consumption of caffeine can lead to high blood pressure, a form of heart disease that increases stroke and kidney failure risk,” parents who give children coffee are warned.
Acid reflux
Coffee can give your children heartburn because too much caffeine can relax muscles at the lower end of your oesophagus.
This allows an opening for stomach acid to move up to the oesophagus, causing acid reflux and making your child dependent on antacids at an early age.
Sleep disturbance
Caffeine acts as an adenosine receptor antagonist which is a drug that promotes alertness.
Adenosine is produced naturally in the body and is used to promote sleepiness.
Caffeine found in coffee blocks the adenosine receptor to keep you from feeling sleepy.
“Sleep is an essential part of everyone's routine and an indispensable part of a healthy lifestyle. Studies have shown that kids who regularly get an adequate amount of sleep have improved attention, behaviour, learning, memory, and overall mental and physical health,” Johns Hopkins educates on the need for your children to have adequate sleep.
