Good & Bad Effects of Coffee for Teenagers

Drinking coffee is a pastime among teenagers, who also consume other drinks containing large amounts of caffeine. Parents may worry about a teen's coffee consumption and the effects it could have on health. However, reaching for another cup of java may not be as bad for your teen's health as previously thought.

  1. Good Effects

    • Moderate coffee consumption, or about one to two cups a day, may have health benefits for your teenager, according to the Mayo Clinic. Coffee may be linked to a decrease in Type 2 diabetes risk, as well as protection against liver cancer and Parkinson's disease. In the short term, coffee may also make your child feel more alert. However, research into the health benefits of coffee is ongoing. Your teen's doctor can provide more information on any benefits your teenager may get from having another cup.

    Bad Effects

    • The ill effects of high caffeine consumption are well documented, ranging from difficulty sleeping to nervousness, according to KidsHealth. Teens who drink too much coffee may also find themselves feeling nervous and irritable. High caffeine consumption can cause migraine headaches to surface, as well as heart problems. Teens should make an effort to consume less than 100 milligrams of caffeine a day, or the equivalent of one cup of caffeinated coffee, to reduce the negative side effects of coffee drinking.

    Myths About Coffee

    • In the past, coffee was considered a culprit in stunted growth, heart disease and cancer, according to the Mayo Clinic. These claims are not supported by scientific research, so teens do not have to worry about stunted growth when it comes to drinking coffee, according to KidsHealth. However, coffee drinking can be a problem if your teen consistently chooses to consume it instead of more nutritious foods and drinks. Nutritional deficiencies may surface in children who drink a lot of coffee.

    Additional Information

    • If your teen is concerned about how much coffee he is drinking, ask his doctor for an opinion. A doctor may recommend ways to help your teenager cut back on his coffee consumption. A teen who is interested in the health benefits of drinking coffee should also discuss the issue with his doctor. Some teenagers may be at increased risk of heart problems when drinking coffee, according to KidsHealth.

    2. Previous:

    Next:

    • Overeating in Teens
      You might worry that your teen is going to eat you out of house and home, and active teens, especially boys, require large amounts of food to sustain proper growth and maintain energy. Most teens stop short of eating too much, however, even if it see
    • How to Lose Weight Without Parents Knowing
      How to Lose Weight Without Parents Knowing. Sometimes parents can be overly protective and see losing weight, even a healthy amount, as a sign of an eating disorder or an unhealthy self-image. If you know you have a healthy image of yourself and you
    • The Importance of Protein for Growing Teens
      People require protein to stay healthy throughout life. Protein is especially important throughout the growing years, when children ages 13 to 18 need 10 to 30 percent of their daily caloric intake to come from protein sources -- more than they will