Coffee: More Than Just a Beverage – Its Impact on Children and Pregnant Women

Coffee is not just a dark drink that awakens the senses; it is a culture, a civilization, and a daily habit that has united people for hundreds of years. This is why World Coffee Day was established—to celebrate its global importance and acknowledge its economic, cultural, and health-related value. Behind this global day lies a story worth telling, goals to understand, and effects that need to be discussed—especially on children and pregnant women, as these groups are the most sensitive to caffeine.

In this report, we follow Dr. Ahmed Mansour, a professor of therapeutic nutrition, on a detailed exploration to learn more about coffee—its history, the secret of its unique status, and what a small cup of coffee means for children, pregnant women, and the average person. We also examine whether coffee is merely a habit and consider its social, economic, and health-related aspects.

Effects of Coffee on Children

Caffeine affects individuals differently due to personal variations, but there are shared side effects among children who consume Turkish coffee. Often, when visiting a local coffee shop, you may see teenagers—and sometimes younger children—stopping for a cup of coffee, usually iced. A 13-year-old drinking coffee might seem unusual, but the child is actually enjoying an adult habit. Experts highlight the following effects:

1. Coffee can harm children

Affects growth: Coffee can hinder a child’s development because caffeine interferes with the formation of essential brain connections. During adolescence, after most neural pathways are established, coffee may reduce the efficiency of these connections. Studies on lab rats showed that those given coffee experienced sleep problems and impaired brain development compared to rats that did not consume coffee.

Causes sleep problems: Children aged 8–12 require about 10 hours of sleep per day, while adolescents need 8–9 hours. Drinking Turkish coffee, especially in the evening, can disrupt sleep and lead to insomnia. Research shows that every 10 mg of caffeine can reduce 8 hours of sleep by about 12% in adolescents.

Impacts nutrition: Caffeine, the main component of Turkish coffee, stimulates the brain’s addiction center. This can influence food choices and preferences, leading to reduced appetite and nutritional problems in children.

Caffeine dependency: Daily consumption of coffee can create a dependency, linking the act of drinking coffee with avoiding discomfort such as headaches. A child may show mood changes when caffeine intake is reduced or stopped, similar to withdrawal symptoms.

Reduces concentration: Large amounts of coffee can cause hyperactivity in children, reducing their ability to focus on listening and school activities due to excessive energy.

Leads to calcium deficiency: Caffeine has an inverse relationship with calcium. For example, consuming 100 mg of coffee can cause a child to lose about 6 mg of bone calcium, which is crucial for proper bone growth and overall development.

Affects dental health: Coffee is acidic, and acidic drinks can damage teeth, weaken enamel, and increase the risk of cavities and gum problems, especially with frequent consumption.

Causes dehydration: Coffee increases water loss from the body, potentially leading to dehydration if children and adolescents do not drink enough water to compensate.

Can children drink coffee?

It depends on the child’s age. The younger the child, the more it is recommended to avoid coffee due to caffeine content. Currently, there are no firm guidelines on caffeine intake for children, but the American Academy of Pediatrics does not encourage it. Some countries, such as Canada, recommend daily caffeine limits:

• Ages 4–6: 45 mg (~half a cup of coffee)

• Ages 7–9: 62.5 mg

• Ages 10–12: 85 mg

• Adolescents: 85–100 mg

Effects of Coffee on Pregnant Women and the Fetus

Caffeine crosses the placenta:

Pregnancy is a very sensitive stage, and any substance entering the mother’s body can reach the fetus. Key effects include:

• Risk of miscarriage or preterm birth: Consuming more than 200 mg of caffeine per day (about two cups of coffee) is linked to higher risks of miscarriage or premature birth. Caffeine affects blood flow to the placenta, reducing oxygen and nutrient delivery to the fetus.

• Impact on fetal development: Caffeine can cross the placenta, exposing the fetus directly. The fetal liver is not fully developed to metabolize caffeine, which may increase the risk of low birth weight or delayed mental and motor development.

• Effects after birth: High caffeine intake during pregnancy may be associated with some health problems in childhood, including early obesity or certain cancers.

Recommended caffeine intake by group:

• Healthy adults: 300–400 mg/day (3–4 cups of coffee)

• Adolescents: ≤100 mg/day

• Children: preferably none

• Pregnant women: ≤200 mg/day

• Heart or blood pressure patients: consult a doctor; may need to reduce or avoid caffeine

Caffeine can create physical and psychological dependence. Sudden cessation may cause headaches, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating. Moderate consumption is generally safer and healthier than excessive intake.