Does coffee doesn't stunt growth

Question

The claim that coffee stunts your growth is a common myth, especially told to children or teens. However, according to several medical and scientific sources, there’s no solid evidence that coffee consumption affects height or growth in adolescents or adults. One reliable source is John Hopkins Medicine, which explains that while caffeine can temporarily interfere with calcium absorption, the effect is minimal and does not lead to stunted growth if you have a balanced diet. Here's a direct quote from them: “There’s no evidence that coffee or caffeine stunts a person’s growth. This myth probably began because caffeine can slightly reduce calcium absorption, but not nearly enough to affect growth.”

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-caffeine-question-myths-and-facts

Answer 1

I agree with the claim that coffee doesn't stunt growth. The sources you provided are reliable, and information from Johns Hopkins ' website is sourced from knowledgeable people! However, the second source you offered doesn't make as strong an argument for the claim. Since "The Roasterie Coffee Company" is a coffee company and of course, they will claim that coffee doesn't stunt growth. It also used sources from the Mayo Clinic, which is a highly credible website. However, the article itself did not make any claims about whether coffee stunts growth or not.

A better article to back up the claim is from the Harvard Health Publishing Website. It stated that there is no scientific evidence that coffee stunts growth. Coffee does not cause osteoporosis, and osteoporosis does not make you short. Additionally, coffee does not affect our ability to absorb calcium.

https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/can-coffee-really-stunt-your-growth#:~:text=There%20is%20no%20scientifically%20valid,associated%20with%20loss%20of%20height).

Answer 2

While coffee/caffeine consumption may not directly stunt a child's growth. The concern comes from the indirect impacts, such as disrupted sleep, if the caffeine is consumed later in the day. This article explains that if caffeine is consumed in the morning, there will likely be no sleep implications. But when consumed later in the day, it could affect their sleep schedule, causing sleep deprivation, and not allowing the child's growth hormones to work as they should.

https://www.verywellhealth.com/can-drinking-coffee-stunt-growth-in-children-by-affecting-sleep-3947784

Answer 3

I agree with your claim as through my research I found that there is no evidence that coffee can stunt growth or cause a loss in height. According to a article done by health.havard.edu, there is no scientific evidence that coffee contributes to stunted growth or causes osteoporosis. The article states that the misconception started with people believing that coffee causes osteoporosis, which can reduce a persons height. There has been evidence however that coffee can increase the body's elimination of calcium. However, the article argues this point by stating, "But the effect of caffeine on calcium excretion is small. And the link between coffee consumption and osteoporosis was never confirmed." Coffee actually has several health benefits as caffeine can enhance athletic performance and coffee can reduce the risk of many diseases. However, caffeine can cause a person to shift from normal sleeping patterns, which can promote growth. Coffee doesn't have a direct link to a loss of height but causing reduced sleep could lead to a person not recovering fully.

https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/can-coffee-really-stunt-your-growth#:~:text=There%20is%20no%20scientifically%20valid,associated%20with%20loss%20of%20height).

https://www.medicinenet.com/what_are_the_negative_effects_of_coffee/article.htm

Answer 4

The claim that coffee stunts your growth is definitely a popular myth, especially told to kids or teens. But when you actually stop and investigate the source, it doesn't hold up. One of the most reliable sources on this is Johns Hopkins Medicine, which is a well-respected medical institution. They state clearly: "There's no evidence that coffee or caffeine stunts a person's growth. This myth probably began because caffeine can slightly reduce calcium absorption, but not nearly enough to affect growth." So, they acknowledge where the myth may have started, but also clarify that it's not backed by science.

If you look for better coverage, other trustworthy sources back this up too- places like Harvard Health and the Mayo Clinic say the same thing. They all agree that while caffeine might reduce calcium absorption a little, it doesn't have a serious impact if someone has a balanced diet and enough calcium.

And if you trace the quote from Johns Hopkins back to its original context, it comes straight from their official wellness page-not taken out of context or twisted. On the flip side, sites like the Roasterie (a coffee company) also claim the myth is false, but since they sell coffee, their info might be biased, even if it's still accurate in this case.

So, when you apply that method of checking the source, comparing coverage, and tracing the original quote, it's pretty clear: coffee doesn't stunt your growth

Harvard Health Publishing. (2012, February). Caffeine and health. Harvard Medical School. https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/caffeine-and-health

Johns Hopkins Medicine. (n.d.). The caffeine question: myths and facts. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-caffeine-question- myths-and-facts

Mayo Clinic. (2021, March 6). Caffeine: How much is too much? https:www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/expert-answers/caffeine/faq-20058459

The Roasterie. (n.d.). Myth or fact: Does coffee stunt your growth? https://theroaterie.com/blogs/news/myth-or-fact-does-coffee-stunt-your-growth