When I tell people that I have been drinking coffee nearly every day of my life since I was thirteen years old, their first reactions usually follow the same predictable pattern: “That must be why you’re so short!” Many have gone their whole lives believing the popular myth that coffee stunts the growth of a child due to the fact that it contains a high concentration of caffeine, but believe it or not, this statement is false! There is no scientific evidence that supports the claim that caffeine stunts the development of children, so why do we keep antagonizing it as the villain behind my height?
The roots of the myth indicate that one of the main reasons that coffee is commonly associated with height deficiency is because people have come to believe that the popular beverage causes osteoporosis, a condition that can be linked to loss of height. This is also false, as coffee does not cause any serious medical conditions in children or adults unless they are consuming an absurd amount regularly. However, a high concentration of caffeine can still be dangerous for kids, and especially younger ones. It is important to note that coffee can cause abnormal heart rhythm, anxiety, disrupted sleep, headaches, high blood pressure, moodiness, restlessness, seizures, and an upset stomach. These symptoms mostly apply to younger children drinking an excessive amount of coffee though, so there is no need to worry if your younger sibling steals a sip of coffee from you! While it is clear that even though coffee will not stunt the growth of a child, it can still be harmful in some cases.
However, drinking coffee regularly has also been shown to have health benefits as well. Studies have proven that coffee drinkers have a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes, stroke, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, liver disease, gout, and even certain cancers. Interestingly, coffee can also prevent abnormal heart rhythms in adults, contrary to that of children. Coffee is most certainly not a medicine for adults though, nor is it a toxin for kids, and many coffee fans aged twelve and older never see a significant drop or increase in overall health linked to their consumption of coffee.
According to modern studies, any amount of caffeine in general is not good for young children, and for some reason coffee is always the first beverage that gets blamed. In fact, caffeine is hiding in many popular drinks that children consume all the time, without realizing how negatively it can impact their health. Whether it is sodas, energy drinks, teas, and even certain candies, caffeine is everywhere, and children are exposed to it regularly.
In conclusion, while coffee can be problematic for children, it does not stunt the development of the child, nor is coffee the sole reason that children experience medical issues linked to caffeine intake. Congratulations, if you are a middle schooler like me that loves coffee too, you can give a sigh of relief knowing that you will not turn out short like me (unless your genetics say otherwise)!
By Nora Daubert ‘31, Middle School Creative Writing Editor
