Does Coffee

Stunt Your Growth?

MYTH!

In short, coffee does not stunt your growth.

A 6-year study conducted by The Pennsylvania State University separated 81 American, non-Hispanic, white, teenage females ages 12-18 into 3 groups, each with a different caffeine intake level. Bone mineral gain was then examined in the 3 groups; however, there was no significant difference.

Pediatric Endocrinologist Roy Kim, MD confirms, "Caffeine doesn't impact growth," also stating, "In my field, we see kids with all kinds of growth disorders, and caffeine is never a factor."

One study documented in the National Library of Medicine proved caffeine intake was associated with lower calcium absorption levels; however, often, milk is added to coffee or tea and thus balances out this nominal reduction in calcium absorption resulting in the overall substance not stunting growth.


However, caffeine and thus coffee can have other adverse health effects including but not limited to those listed below. 1 2 3 4

  • Disrupted sleep

  • Anxiety

  • Headaches

  • Moodiness

  • Increased blood pressure, heart rate, urination, alertness

  • Irritation of the stomach

  • Insomnia

  • Dehydration

Rebecca Cherry, a specialist at Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition at Pediatric Specialty Partners, also states, "Teenagers who regularly use caffeine sleep an average of 40 minutes less per night, [and] sweetened caffeinated drinks are associated with overweight in children."

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Resources: