Is It Safe For Kids To Drink Tea?

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Tea is believed to have several health benefits. However, it may not be safe for you to consider tea for kids.The tea we usually make contains caffeine and refined sugar, which are not recommended in excess amounts, especially for children.Plunge into this post as we tell you whether or not tea is safe for children, the correct age for introducing the beverage to them, its benefits, and possible adverse effects.

Is It Safe For Children To Drink Tea?

Ideally, tea is not recommended for children due to its natural caffeine content.According to Dr. Cidny Gellner of the University of Utah Health Sciences,“Drinking high amounts of sweetened caffeinated drinks can lead to cavities in children.”

Also, caffeine isdiureticⁱXA substance that enables the kidneys to produce more urine and get rid of the excess fluid from the bodythat can make your kids pee more frequently.(1)

You may replacecaffeinated teawith herbal tea. However, make sure that the ingredients in the tea are suitable for your child. For instance, some herbs that suit one child may not suit some other.

What Is The Right Age For Children To Start Drinking Tea?

There are no studies that specify the age when children may start drinking tea. As long as tea consumption is moderate, and the caffeine limit is under control, there may not be significant risks.

However, it is good to know the caffeine limit for children. The American Academy of Pediatrics observes,”Kids and teens should be careful when consumingcaffeinated drinks.Adolescents between 12 and 18 age may take 100mg caffeine (around one or two cups of tea) in a day.But for children below 12 years of age, they haveno said safe threshold(2).”

Before serving a cup of tea to your child, do consider the possible health benefits and side effects of tea for children.

Are There Any Benefits Of Tea For Children?

An occasional cup of regular caffeinated tea may provide some short-term advantages to kids.

• It can be relaxing
• It may soothe body aches and tummy aches
• It may help treat cough and cold

You may have to make tea the right way for the child to enjoy the above benefits.

Tips To Make A Cup Of Tea For Kids

如果you are planning to give your child an occasional cup of regular tea, here’s the way to do it.

• Use fewer tea leaves to make a light tea.
• You can also make light tea by steeping the tea or tea bag for two to four minutes. If the tea gets strong, add some water to it.
• Serve lukewarm or chilled tea and not piping hot tea.

Possible Side Effects Of Tea For Children

Excessive consumption of tea may result in the following side effects for children.

• Caffeine in tea may affect yourchild’s development, behavior, and sleep(3).
• A research study concluded that regular consumption of tea or coffee by children increased therisk of type 1 diabetesin them(4).
• Regular intake of caffeine could increase children’s preference for cold beverages and sweet foods. Such eating patterns could increase therisk of obesity(5).
• Caffeine in excess could be responsible forfidgetiness, jitteriness, and nervousnessin children(6).
• Caffeine and sugar in tea may be associated withoverweightissues in children(6).
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• Drinking sugar-sweetened tea in high amounts could be responsible for extra calories, which might result in heart diseases,tooth decay, and even type-2 diabetes.
• Caffeine in tea inhibits the absorption of iron and calcium affecting their hemoglobin and bone strength
• Excessive consumption of tea might lead to acidity issues also

Various Teas For Children

PediatricianDr. Bidisha Sarkarsays, “Herbal tea or tea made from herbs and fruits, is typically devoid of caffeine. It serves as a beneficial choice for children aged two and above, aiding in hydration and alleviating mild illness symptoms such as cough, sore throat, and congestion.” The following could be some other tea options you may try as home remedies for some common illnesses.

1. Chamomile tea: A study noted that chamomile is used totreat fever,croupⁱXA viral respiratory infection that causes inflammation of the upper airway, leading to breathing difficulty, andcolicⁱXPersistent crying in babies without any apparent reasonin children(7). According to the University of New Mexico Health Sciences,chamomile teamay help in reducing anxiety. It is even known for its calming effect on the stomach(8). But if your child is allergic to marigolds, ragweed, daisies, and chrysanthemums, then avoid this tea(9).
2. Gingertea: A cup of ginger tea could be a good idea to soothe a child’s tummy. It might even help in reducingnausea(10).”. Dr. Sarkar adds, “Ginger tea is generally safe for children over the age of 2, provided it is prepared correctly and administered in moderation. It can be beneficial for various issues such as digestion, nausea, motion sickness, inflammation, and cough. However, caution should be exercised when giving ginger tea to children with bleeding disorders, diabetes, or heart problems. Additionally, children taking blood thinners or other medications that may interact with ginger should avoid consuming it.”
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3. Fennel tea: It helps inreducing the symptoms of colic. It might also help in getting rid of gas byrelaxing the gastrointestinal tract(11).

You could consider the above alternatives or even consider not giving tea to the child at all.

Healthy Alternatives To Tea For Children

Instead of getting addicted to tea, children may consider healthy drinks such as freshly-prepared, homemade fruit juices, milk, yogurt drink, coconut water or lemon water or flavored water (made with natural ingredients and no added sugar). These sugar-free and caffeine-free drinks can help them stay hydrated and provide vital nutrients to the body.

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