Coffee and Children: From What Age Is It Allowed?

According to doctor Vasily Plotnikov, based on international medical guidelines, children under the age of 14 are not recommended to drink coffee. For this age group, the daily caffeine intake should not exceed 50 mg.

After the age of 14, the allowable daily dose of caffeine can increase to 100 mg. This is equivalent to one cup of ground coffee or two cups of light coffee. Excessive caffeine intake may lead to anxiety, aggressiveness, hyperactivity, and headaches in teenagers.

The doctor also noted that cola contains caffeine, so children under 14 should not consume more than one 0.33-liter can per day. It’s also important to remember that some sweet teas — including green tea — also contain caffeine.

Energy drinks, which often contain over 150 mg of caffeine per can, are strictly prohibited for those under 18.