From what age can you drink coffee and why are there age restrictions?

A cup of aromatic invigorating coffee is traditional for many before the start of a productive long working day. An overwhelming number of adults begin their morning with him and drink a drink at least a couple of times until late in the evening. Some coffee lovers even have the habit of drinking a cup before bed. But what if the younger members of the family began to show interest in the ritual of drinking coffee? Many parents are worried about the dilemma: to allow the child to try a new taste or abstain for some time.

Modern scientists defend the reputation of coffee, talking about its versatile benefits. In fact, the benefits of this drink are exactly the same as the minuses. The main thing is to find a “middle ground” in the measure of its consumption. People who regularly, but not excessively drink coffee, observe a surge of strength and an increase in mood.

It is worth noting the following positive factors:

• stool regulation in people prone to constipation;
• reducing the risk of developing diabetes mellitus type II;
• reducing the risk of breast and prostate cancer;
• increased pressure in hypotension;
• enhancing the action of painkillers (aspirin, paracetamol).

Addiction to this drink is sometimes considered a bad habit. Dependence on coffee arises gradually and forms for a long time, so it is better to limit yourself immediately in the dosage and frequency of caffeine intake. You should also try to replace portions with decaf coffee or similar drinks made on the basis of vegetable components of natural origin.

We can not ignore the fact that coffee is not a harmless drink, but a derivative of several chemical components that affect the body in different ways.

• Coffee removes calcium from the body, without which normal formation of the musculoskeletal system is impossible. Calcium deficiency adversely affects the health of teeth, hair and nails.
• From caffeine, the heart muscle begins to contract with greater frequency, which adversely affects the work of the heart and blood vessels.
• You may feel unwell due to increased blood pressure.
• Contraindications to the use of natural coffee - hypertension, problems with blood vessels, the heart system and the stomach.
• Under the influence of caffeine, glucose is released in the body and blood sugar levels increase, which can affect the normal course of the pancreas. And this is a direct threat to the development of diabetes.
• Caffeine is an alkaloid that stimulates the nervous system, like nicotine or even cocaine. Its aggressive effects smooth out minerals and vitamin D in the composition.
• In large quantities of coffee violates the hormones.

Of course, sensible parents will not offer an adult drink to a six-month-old crumb, but such tasting is absolutely useless for children of 2 years. Coffee stimulates many internal processes, and in children they are much more intense than in adults. As a result, the excitability of the nervous system increases, motor activity increases.

All this sometimes leads to negative consequences:

• hyperactivity and stress reduction;
• the appearance of sleep problems;
• stimulation of heart rhythm, increased heart rate;
• increased urination and loss of calcium;
• caffeine addiction.

It is reasonable to give a child to drink coffee at the age of 10, but it is advisable to prepare a drink with the maximum amount of water or dissolve a minimum of coffee, and ideally dilute the finished portion with milk.It is useful for the adolescent and will soften the stimulating effect of caffeine on the weak nervous system of the actively growing organism.

From the age of 12, a child can enjoy coffee, without the fear of especially harming his nervous system and blood vessels, but only if it is periodically, not regularly. Ideally, it is better to wait with acquaintance with an invigorating drink for a couple of years. At age 14, the children's body is already physiologically close to an adult. So, a cup of coffee a day will not bring him negative consequences. At this age, from a reasonable dose of caffeine, a growing person will feel only a surge of energy and an increased concentration of attention. This will have a beneficial effect on studies in the morning and will give a boost to activity.

Competent pediatricians around the world do not advise parents of their young patients to allow them to drink coffee up to 14-16 years. The same opinion of the famous pediatrician Komarovsky. Most of Russian moms and Russian-speaking women living abroad listen to his recommendations.

Evgeny Olegovich is firmly convinced that children from 10 to 12 years old to get used to the consumption of this drink. In coffee, he sees a threat to the child’s immature nervous system. An incompletely formed organism responds to a dose of caffeine by hyper-excitability, irritability, and even aggression. Caffeine can be affected by susceptible children's organs. Greatly detrimental effects of coffee and heart rate, brain vessels, kidneys and digestive tract of the child.

But in relation to breastfeeding and drinking coffee by a nursing mother, the doctor is not so categorical. According to him, the baby should gradually get acquainted with the world, and it won't hurt mother to pamper herself with a coffee drink from time to time. Only this relaxation is permissible in the case when drinking coffee does not negatively affect the health of the mother and baby.

Doctors are categorical in the harm of coffee and for an adult organism. Of course, if you exceed the recommended two cups of drink per day. The habit of its use is growing with every sip. There is a need for large dosages and subsequent dependence on caffeine. The body of a coffee lover instead of the usual vigor is experiencing stress and gets tired faster, the risk of heart attacks and strokes increases.

To make coffee not harm your health, you need to follow some recommendations.

• It is important not to drink coffee on an empty stomach.. Ideally, drink a cup of hot drink after a full breakfast in the morning. In the evening, his awakening and diuretic effect will be completely inappropriate.
• Coffee after dinner, even for most adults - taboo. Fully sleep and gain strength before the working day with caffeine in the body is unlikely. And what can we say about children, at which caffeine is reflected in bedtime by capricious behavior, absent-mindedness and insomnia. In order not to spoil the nerves of either children or parents, it is worth waiting with a drink until morning, but do not forget to pour milk into it and sweeten a portion of live energy.

• Do not forget to give your body a rest from coffee., take breaks in its use at intervals of two days, so as not to cause addiction to caffeine. Do not make children a habit of drinking coffee at regular intervals. The taste of the drink will be even more pleasant if you drink it occasionally. From such a dosage, the body will surely benefit exclusively.

Many coffee lovers are eager to find analogues to the invigorating drink. There are several variations of drinks with similar taste and effect. This does not apply to coffee granules. Soluble drink also has chemical elements in the composition, so it is unsafe. Dry cream should also be consumed as rarely as possible. Fresh milk is best for adding to coffee.

Better yet, try to replace coffee with milk on cocoa.It is perfect for students. In a warm portion of this drink contains a storehouse of minerals and trace elements. For morning recharging of young organisms is the best option to start the day.

A drink from freeze-dried granules is rich in microelements and vitamins, and has a beneficial effect on the immune system and intestinal microflora. It stabilizes weight and exhibits a mild laxative, diuretic and choleretic effect. Phenols in the composition of chicory help reduce the risk of developing a number of oncological diseases. They have a beneficial effect on heart rate and prevent arrhythmia. And inulin reduces the risk of hypertension and atherosclerosis.

Chicory has a double effect on the nervous system, which depends on the time of administration. In the morning he invigorates, and in the evening he calms. But it is rather an adult drink, since the probability of allergic reactions to it in children is quite high. For the same reason, it is not recommended for pregnant and lactating, as well as for those who suffer from varicose veins.

As for decaffeinated coffee, it is also not as harmless as it seems with a superficial study of the composition. The same can be said about the coffee substitute from green beans. The chemical complex of which this product is made is not intended for testing on the fragile children's nervous system. It is better to excite her with pleasant emotions and morning exercises.

Competent start of the day at any age - with a glass of clean water. It starts all metabolic processes in the body, and it starts to work smoothly and productively.

On whether you can drink coffee for children, see below.