Can children drink coffee?
Not recommended. Children are more sensitive to caffeine—sleep problems, nervousness, and poor concentration are common. General recommendation: not before age 14. EFSA upper limit: 3 mg of caffeine per kg of body weight per day.
Can children drink coffee?
Not recommended. Children are more sensitive to caffeine—sleep problems, nervousness, and poor concentration are common. General recommendation: not before age 14. EFSA upper limit: 3 mg of caffeine per kg of body weight per day.
Why that is
Caffeine affects children more strongly than adults—their lower body weight means that the same amount of caffeine results in a much higher dose per kilogram.
EFSA recommendation for children and teenagers:
Maximum 3 mg of caffeine per kg of body weight per day.
| Age | Weight (approx.) | Max. caffeine/day | Equals approx. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 years | 20 kg | 60 mg | ¾ cup filter coffee |
| 10 years | 30 kg | 90 mg | 1 cup filter coffee |
| 14 years | 50 kg | 150 mg | 1.5 cups filter coffee |
Why caffeine is problematic for children:
- Sleep: Children need 9–12 hours of sleep. Caffeine shortens sleep duration and reduces sleep quality—affecting concentration, school performance, and mood.
- Nervousness and restlessness: Caffeine stimulates the nervous system more intensely at a lower body weight.
- Habituation: Early caffeine consumption can lead to early tolerance buildup.
- Hidden sources of caffeine: Cola, iced tea, energy drinks, and chocolate—many children consume more caffeine than parents think.
Energy drinks — a special problem: 250 ml contain 80 mg of caffeine plus sugar and taurine. For a 30 kg child, that’s almost the EFSA limit in one can. Several European countries are debating banning sales to minors.
The question “from what age?”
There is no official age limit. The common recommendation from pediatricians: don’t drink coffee regularly before age 14. An occasional sip from a parent’s coffee is harmless—but giving an 8-year-old their own cappuccino makes no sense.
In practice at Green Wall Coffee
At Sophienstraße 27, we offer children hot chocolate or cocoa—no caffeine, full cafe experience. Some teenagers order a cappuccino, and that’s perfectly fine from age 14–15 onwards.
Related questions
- How many cups of coffee a day are safe?
- How long does caffeine stay in the body?
- Is coffee really addictive?
Stop by Sophienstraße 27 — Mon–Fri 8am–5pm, Sat 10am–5pm.
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Drop by at Sophienstraße 27 — Mon–Fri 8am–5pm, Sat 10am–5pm.
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