Do you your children? The tea or enough drink? About the effects of this on children’s health and routines, Independent Urdu spoke to a nutritionist, head of pediatrics at a government hospital in Lahore and a mother of three children.
This article can help you to know whether tea is necessary for children or not.
Should children be given tea?
Lahore Shaughta Hadi has three children. Who are aged between five and nine years. Talking to Independent Urdu, Shaughta said that everyone in her house is fond of tea and coffee.
Shaughta says that ‘who has lived in Pakistan without tea? When someone tells us that he does not drink tea, we are surprised and worried that he does not drink tea. On this social media memes have become so much that tea flows in the veins of Pakistanis.
After saying this, he laughed openly.
Shaughta said that in her house, everyone, including children, must drink at least two cups of tea throughout the day. Also make as much tea as you like.
He said that ‘Absolutely our children drink tea. Especially in winter, I definitely give it to them, they like it, it keeps the children warm in the cold.’
He said that they also use coffee in winter.
He said that ‘since all the members of the house mostly sit together and drink tea, the children have also got used to it.’
Independent Urdu asked him that after using tea, did he see any change in his children? So he replied, ‘No, I have never considered it, yes, if children drink tea at night, especially on weekends, they make it difficult to sleep. Sleep is disturbed but this is a natural process because tea wakes you up anyway.’
According to Prof. Dr. Haroon Hamid, Chairman of Department of Pediatrics, MAO Hospital, Lahore, ‘Tea or coffee should never be given to children.’
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‘It’s theirs health It is extremely dangerous for Children’s heart rate is naturally faster than adults and the caffeine in tea increases the heart rate which is not good for them.’
What is caffeine?
Caffeine is a natural stimulant commonly found in tea, coffee and cocoa plants.
It works by stimulating the brain and central nervous system, helping you stay alert and relieve fatigue.
According to Professor Dr. Haroon Hamid, ‘Children don’t need tea, their stomachs are small anyway and if you fill them with tea and don’t give them food, it will affect their growth.’
According to Professor Dr. Haroon Hamid, ‘tea contains caffeine and other elements that prevent iron absorption in children. They are deficient in iron which also leads to anemia. Which has its own problems and it also affects the development of the mind.’
He said that tea has a bad effect on teeth, heart rate, brain, liver, kidneys and stomach.
Therefore, tea should never be given to children.
Independent Urdu also spoke to UK-based dietician Fareeha J in the same regard.
Fareeha is registered with the Healthcare Professions Council of Great Britain and is also present on social media as ‘Your Diet’ and is followed by millions of people from all over the world who seek healthy diet advice from her.
During an online interview with Independent Urdu, dietician Fareeha is talking. (screen grab)
Regarding giving tea to children, Fariha said, ‘According to the guideline for adults, they should not take more than four hundred milligrams of caffeine, which is five to seven cups of tea. It’s important to understand how much caffeine you’ve consumed, because if you’ve had cola or any other caffeinated drink, you’ll have to watch and research has been done.
But when we think of children, there’s no research yet that clearly shows how much caffeine you can give children?’
Fariha said that it is not that there are no benefits of tea, but these benefits are for adults and not for children. He further said that ‘Tea contains antioxidants that strengthen the immune system of adults. It contains ingredients that reduce inflammation. However, caffeine should not be taken too much.
At the same time, he said, ‘If we are thinking that we have to give tea to children, then we have to give it very carefully. The guidance is that tea should not be given to children under the age of 12 because there is not enough research to know how much caffeine will affect children’s health. I would say that if you have children, keep them away from the tea.’
He said, ‘Another thing to be considered is that there are tannins in tea that do not allow the body to absorb the iron found in plant foods.
Tannins, polyphenols are a type of chemical compound that belongs to a broad group of compounds.
That is, if you are eating pulses, spinach or vegetables that contain iron, the tea will not allow the iron to be absorbed by the body. Iron is very important for children at this age. Not only for the development of their bodies but also of their minds.’
Fariha further said that since iron carries oxygen to the brain and if you are giving tea to your child along with these foods, your child may be tired, his intellectual development may not be possible. , so why are you feeding your child tea?
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children under the age of 12 should not be given caffeinated coffee, tea, soda, sports drinks, or other products, while between the ages of 12 and 18, caffeinated beverages should be limited to 100 milligrams.
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#children #tea #coffee
**Interview with Nutritionist and Pediatrician on Caffeine and Children**
**Interviewer:** Welcome, and thank you for joining us today to discuss a crucial topic: caffeine consumption among children. With increasing cases of children drinking tea and coffee, what’s your perspective on this?
**Shaughta Hadi (Mother of Three):** Thank you for having me. In my household, tea is a staple. It’s customary for us to enjoy tea together, and our children, aged five to nine, drink tea daily, especially in the winter. They enjoy it and it’s part of our social routine.
**Interviewer:** That’s interesting! But have you noticed any negative impacts on their health or routines?
**Shaughta Hadi:** Honestly, I haven’t seen significant changes. Though I’ve noticed that when they drink tea too late in the evening, their sleep is disrupted, particularly on weekends.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for sharing. Now, let’s hear from Professor Dr. Haroon Hamid, Chairman of Pediatrics at MAO Hospital, Lahore. What are your thoughts regarding children consuming tea and coffee?
**Prof. Dr. Haroon Hamid:** Tea and coffee should never be given to children. Their hearts naturally beat faster than adults, and caffeine can significantly increase their heart rate, which is dangerous. Additionally, if children fill up on tea instead of food, it can hinder their growth.
**Interviewer:** That sounds serious. Could you elaborate on the potential health risks?
**Prof. Dr. Haroon Hamid:** Certainly. Caffeine can prevent the absorption of iron, which is vital for children as they can be prone to anemia. This deficiency affects their overall growth and mental development. Moreover, caffeine poses additional risks to their teeth, heart rate, brain, and organs like the liver and kidneys.
**Interviewer:** It’s alarming to hear that. Fareeha J, a UK-based dietician, what is your view on this matter, especially considering your extensive experience?
**Fareeha J:** Thank you for including me. While caffeine has some benefits for adults, such as antioxidants that can bolster the immune system, there’s no established safe amount for children. Given the lack of research on caffeine consumption in kids, I advise caution. It’s essential to remember that moderation is key, and perhaps it’s best to avoid caffeine entirely in young diets.
**Interviewer:** Lastly, what advice would you give to parents in light of this discussion?
**Prof. Dr. Haroon Hamid:** I would recommend that parents find non-caffeinated alternatives for their children, focusing on drinks that support growth and health.
**Fareeha J:** Absolutely! Engage your children in healthy living by introducing them to naturally caffeine-free beverages. That way, you can cultivate healthy habits from a young age.
**Interviewer:** Thank you both for your insights. It’s clear that while tea may be part of our culture, it’s crucial to consider the health implications for our children. Let’s prioritize their well-being above all.
**Shaughta Hadi:** Thank you for shedding light on this subject.
**Fareeha J:** Thank you for having us!
**Interviewer:** Thank you for watching, and remember, when it comes to children’s health, informed choices matter!