Does Coffee Make You Short or Stunt Your Growth [Myth or Fact]

Measuring a Child’s Height…..

It’s no secret that coffee is a popular drink; it’s one of the most popular drinks globally! Coffee is known to have many benefits, such as improving alertness, mood, and cognitive function.

But what about its effects on our health? One of the most common questions is whether coffee makes you short or stunts your growth.

In this blog post, we will explore the question: “Does coffee make you short?” to find out whether it’s the truth or just a myth 

Does Coffee Make You Short or Stunt Your Growth?

No, coffee does not stunt your growth or make you short. Any claim that coffee stunt your growth is false, and it should not worry you at all. If your kid consumes more caffeinated beverages or too much coffee, it likely will not affect their growth.

This is because a person’s growth is determined by their Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA), nutrition, and amount of exercise. This myth has been passed down for generations, but there is no scientific evidence to support it. 

There was initial research that revealed a link between coffee use and decreased calcium absorption, required for bone growth, strength, and health.

As a result, it wasn’t a stretch to caution growing teenagers against having coffee drinks, especially with too much coffee, for fear of preventing their bones from completely forming. However, the decrease in calcium absorption caused by caffeine use is so little that it may be compensated for by adding milk to your cup of coffee.

This is most likely why coffee use is not associated with stunted growth.

Coffee and Growth: The Birth of This Myth

The coffee and growth myth has been around for many years. The idea that coffee causes osteoporosis is popular, but it is false. There is no evidence that coffee consumption leads to osteoporosis. 

Some people may consume more coffee, less milk, and other calcium drinks. So, rather than the coffee itself, the coffee drinkers’ dietary calcium and vitamin D intake enhances their risk of osteoporosis.

Health Issues Related to Coffee

Coffee has benefits; however, that doesn’t mean there aren’t any risks you should keep in mind. Coffee has been linked to several health issues, including:

Insomnia 

One of the most common problems associated with coffee is insomnia, characterized by sleep deprivation.  Coffee is a caffeinated beverage that contains caffeine.

Caffeine has numerous effects on the body, one of which is that being a stimulant can keep you from falling asleep at night. If you drink coffee late in the day, you may find it challenging to get a good night’s sleep.

This can even change your sleep patterns in that it can make your body want to sleep during the day and stay awake at night. Therefore, you shouldn’t have coffee or other caffeinated beverage such as soda late in the day.

A research of 191 students looked at sleep habits and caffeine-containing drinks. According to the study, caffeine consumption varied from 0 to 800 mg per day. 

In short, caffeine use was linked to less or interrupted sleep at night and higher sleepiness throughout the day. So, if you’re struggling with insomnia, you should try and avoid coffee drinks at all and instead try drinking herbal tea or taking a relaxing bath before bed. 

However, if this does not help, you can use clinical sleep medicine, well-known for treating sleep disorders.

High Blood Pressure

While coffee is often lauded for its health benefits, there is one potential downside that can’t be ignored: its effect on blood pressure. Numerous studies have found that coffee consumption is one of the most typical causes of increased blood pressure. 

In addition, coffee’s effect on blood pressure may be amplified if consumed in large quantities or combined with other caffeinated beverages. So if you’re looking to keep your blood pressure in check or lower the risk of getting abnormalities in your blood pressure, it might be best to moderate your coffee intake.

High Levels of Sugar

We all know that too much sugar can lead to weight gain and cavities, but it can also have more severe effects on your health. Consuming a lot of sugar can cause a higher risk of getting type II diabetes, increased body weight and heart disease. 

As a result, the American Heart Association recommends that children should consume no more than six teaspoons of added sugar each day. So keep an eye on the sugar content of the Starbucks Kid Drinks that you give them.

Anxiety

For some coffee lovers, it may do more than just give them a jolt of energy – it may also cause them to feel anxious or jittery. This is because coffee contains caffeine, a stimulant that can cause increased anxiety.

Is Coffee Safe to Drink at Any Age? 

Coffee is one of the most popular beverages globally, enjoyed by people of all ages. But is it safe to drink at any age?

Coffee is generally safe to consume in moderation for adults. The FDA recommends the average coffee drinker to not consume over 400 mg of caffeine a day.

However, some people may be more sensitive to the caffeine’s effects and should limit their intake accordingly. 

Pregnant women and people with certain medical conditions should also speak to their doctor before drinking coffee. As for children and teenagers, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that they limit their caffeine intake to no more than 100 mg per day. 

That’s around the amount of caffeine in one cup of coffee. They also advise against excessively consuming energy drinks like soda, which often contain high levels of caffeine and sugar.

How to Improve Bone Health

leg bones of a Lady jogging

If you’re concerned about your coffee intake and bone health, you can do a few things to mitigate the risk. 

• First, make sure you’re getting enough calcium. This is important for everyone, including coffee drinkers. You can get calcium from dairy products, leafy green vegetables, and supplements. 
• Avoid drinking coffee with too much sugar. Sugar can contribute to osteoporosis, so it’s best to avoid it if you’re worried about your bone health. 
• Finally, make sure you’re doing enough exercise. Exercise is important for everyone, but it’s important for coffee drinkers because it helps offset the risk of osteoporosis.

To Wrap Up

While coffee is a beverage with several health benefits, it doesn’t cause stunt growth since most of your height depends on what nutrients you get from food, your genes, and overall wellness during the development stage. 

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