Coffee
coffea arabica



The New Health Food?
Children and Coffee

How does this brew affect growing minds and bodies?
Very nicely, it seems, says DePaulis. Coffee, as you probably know,
makes you more alert, which can boost concentration.

But claims that it improves a child's academic performance can be exaggerated.
Coffee-drinking kids may do better on school tests because they're more awake,
but most task-to-task lab studies suggest that coffee doesn't really improve
mental performance, says DePaulis.

But it helps kids' minds in another way.
"There recently was a study from Brazil finding that
children who drink coffee with milk each day are less likely
to have depression than other children,
"he tells WebMD. "In fact, no studies show that coffee
in reasonable amounts is in any way harmful to children."

On the flip side, it's clear that coffee isn't for everyone.

Its legendary jolt in excess doses
-- that is, more than whatever your individual body can tolerate
-- can increase nervousness, hand trembling, and cause rapid heartbeat.
Coffee may raise cholesterol levels
in some people and may contribute to artery clogging.

But most recent large studies show no significant adverse affects
on most healthy people, although pregnant women,
heart patients, and those at risk for osteoporosis may still
be advised to limit or avoid coffee.

The bottom line:
"People who already drink a lot of coffee don't have to feel
'guilty' as long as coffee does not affect their daily life," says Hu.
"They may actually benefit from coffee habits in the long-run."



Source(s)
Published Jan. 26, 2004 By Sid Kirchheimer
Reviewed By Brunilda Nazario, MD on Monday, January 26, 2004
WebMD Feature of caffeine based on this evidence."


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