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Ever thought about coffee and how it stunts the growth of children? Well, if someone ever says, “do not give children coffee; it stunts their growth,” it is not true.
There is no proof that coffee or caffeine inhibits physical progression in children.
When children are young, their height is generally controlled by other factors — about 16 percent of our height as an adult is determined by our genes.
Another contributing factor to the growth of a child is their overall health. Various studies have proven that reoccurring infections as an infant can decelerate penetration of proper nourishment and skeletal development, as stated in the journal Nutrition Research Reviews. A pregnant mother’s nutritional intake and adequate amounts of dairy a child receive in their younger years impact their growth.
So, why do some people still believe that coffee can stunt the growth of a child?
No one knows exactly, but there are a couple of speculations. Because caffeine has been known to increase the amount of calcium excreted in bones, various studies proposed that frequent intakers were at a higher risk for osteoporosis.
If caffeine could debilitate bones, then it was possible that greater use as a child would steer toward shorter frames. Another factor might be that coffee drinkers also tend to drink less milk, a significant form of calcium. So, in essence, more than likely, coffee had no bearing on the growth of a child, but the problem was the lack of an adequate amount of calcium.
Studies show there is no significant tie between osteoporosis and coffee drinking, according to Harvard Health Publishing. Over the years, studies have reported both pros and cons concerning the effect caffeine has on health. No wonder there is so much uncertainty on whether or not a cup of joe will stunt children’s growth.
Written by Sharri Rogers
Edited by Cathy Milne-Ware
Sources:
LiveScience: Does coffee really stunt kids’ growth? By Benjamin Plackett
Featured and Top Image Courtesy of WordRidden’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inset Image Courtesy of Matt’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License