Green Tea for Children

As a long tradition to believe what we consume will change who we are, is it the matter? Even in the early days some diet habits are found indispensable for keeping you healthy. Especially nowadays, we are trying to make healthier decisions on diet and for our children. However, we do come across a variety of healthy foods and drinks to have. So what about green tea for children?

As a Healthy Drink

Green tea is one of the drinks that many people are somehow aware of its benefits. It is a well-known and consumed drink around the world.  You may wonder if children can also benefit from green tea and have green tea to maintain or promote health or life. Along with that, it is not the only answer to it. However, how safe is green tea for children? 

What Makes Green Tea Healthy?

Many research studies have been conducted to relieve green tea and its association with health. It is that some nutrients and elements of eating and drinking habits would affect us.  These effects could create a problem or make you avoid them. Comparatively, intellectual and behavioral changes would determine to some degree1.

Green tea consists of catechins refers to high in antioxidants than any other drink. It is rich in minerals and vitamins, which make it healthy2.

Green Tea Benefits

Green tea’s benefits vary in different conditions like cancer, heart disease, obesity, type II diabetes, etc.3 It promotes oral health and physiological functions, including having green tea for weight loss, antibacterial, and antiviral activity1.

Green tea‘s effects on health and improving living conditions have been discussed the most. Rather than this emphasis on some research in it, there are other impacts as well.  It has been found that green tea supports children’s cognition, mood, and brain functions4.

Green Tea Has Benefits on Children?

You may ask “does green tea have caffeine?”. Yes, it does just like many teas. With the help of caffeine, anyone can increase attention, sports performance, brain function, memory.5 Caffeine is a stimulant, and excessive consumption leads children to end up with its side effects.

Side Effects of Green Tea

Results of High Caffeine

Overconsumption of caffeine probably following side effects will experience6:

• Headaches
• Nervousness
• Difficulty concentrating
• Fast high rate
• Higher blood pressure
• Trouble sleeping

If you are thinking about using green tea for your children,

• Aware of side-effects of green tea
• Ask a professional
• Choose the appropriate green tea type for your child. 
• Talk to your doctor if your children already have health conditions that would emerge side-effects7.
• It may cause severe side effects of green tea for children with no health issues. Some children are sensitive to stimulants such as caffeine in green tea, and they can react differently. You can try different types and amounts of green tea to adjust your child.

References

1. Bellisle, F. (2004). Effects of diet on behaviour and cognition in children. British Journal of nutrition, 92(S2), S227-S232.

2. Cabrera, C., Artacho, R., & Giménez, R. (2006). Beneficial effects of green tea—a review. Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 25(2), 79-99.

3. Chacko, S. M., Thambi, P. T., Kuttan, R., & Nishigaki, I. (2010). Beneficial effects of green tea: a literature review. Chinese medicine, 5(1), 1-9.

4. Kiyomi. (2018). Can kids drink green tea? Retrieved October 13, 2021, from https://groundgreentea.com/can-kids-drink-green-tea/

5. Nichols, H. (2017). What does caffeine do to your body? Medical News Today. Retrieved October 13, 2021, from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/285194

6. Brennan D. (2021). Are there health benefits of drinking tea for children? WebMD. Retrieved October 13, 2021, from https://www.webmd.com/children/are-there-health-benefits-of-drinking-tea-for-kids

7. CS Mott Children’s Hospital-Michigan Medicine.  (n.d.) Green tea. Retrieved October 13, 2021, from https://www.mottchildren.org/health-library/d04490a1