Caffeine and Children

Q1: How many children drink coffee?

A: Very few children drink coffee. In a 1997 survey conducted by the National Coffee Association, only 1.6 percent of 10 to 14 year olds in the United States consumed coffee. That translates to a per capita consumption of .05 cups per day.

A 1995 report found that none of the caffeine consumed by children ages seven to 10 in the U.S. came from coffee. This study indicated that levels of caffeine intake in young American children might be lower than previously reported.

Q2: Is caffeine consumption bad for children's health?

A: The majority of literature published on caffeine shows that there are no adverse health consequences associated with coffee consumption either in adults or children.

A 1992 study published in Clinical Pediatrics showed no clear behaviour toxicity from caffeine in normal children. At levels consumed by most children, caffeine does not appear to produce adverse effects.

Q3: Should children drink coffee ?

A: Which foods and beverages children consume is a decision that should be made within each individual family.

Q4: Does the coffee industry market to children?

A: In general, the coffee industry does not target its marketing efforts toward children.

Newer coffee drinks and the marketing of these products are designed to attract young adults, not children, to the unique taste and aroma of coffee.

Q5: Are young people drinking more coffee than before?

A: Consumption of all types of coffee by youth has remained fairly constant over the past decade. In 1985, seven percent of 10 to 19 year olds drank coffee, and in 1996 the percentage remained the same. During 1985, 10 to 19 year olds drank .1 cup per day, which is the same per capita consumption level of 1996.


Caffeine and Psychology

Q1: How does caffeine effect behaviour?

A: Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system. Recent research has shown that caffeine in moderate doses enhances alertness, well being, energy, motivation and concentration.

Caffeine has been found to improve alertness, as well as prolong beneficial mood effects in individuals deprived of sleep for 48 hours.

Although a few people may be particularly sensitive to any source of stimulation, caffeine, there is no conclusive evidence that caffeine causes symptoms of anxiety in healthy individuals.

Caffeine and Physical Performance

Q1: Does caffeine effect an individual's exercise endurance?

A: Researchers have found that consumption of coffee and caffeine has little or no adverse effect on exercise in healthy people, or in people with cardiovascular disease. In fact, many studies have found that consuming caffeine has a positive effect on exercise performance, increasing both energy and endurance.

In men with mild hypertension, the equivalent of 3 cups of coffee appear to place a slightly higher workload on the heart, although these people did not appear more uncomfortable because of it. In people with angina, caffeine does not affect their ability to exercise.

Q2: Is coffee or caffeine dehydrating?

A: There is no evidence that consumption of any caffeinated beverage causes a fluid-imbalance that is detrimental to health or exercise performance. A review of recent studies on caffeine and dehydration concluded that the caffeine consumed in 1 to 4 cups of coffee a day does not increase dehydration.

This information has been reviewed by Alan Leviton, M.D., an epidemiologist in Boston.