Java Trend

My teenage daughter has recently gotten into drinking coffee. This seems to be a trend with a lot of her friends and I am concerned that it may not be healthy. I would appreciate any information on the issue and some insight into the trend.

While coffee was once considered bad for general health, recent studies by Harvard University (2008) and BIDMC (2012) contradict the previous line of thought. The trend of teenage coffee drinkers is not new, however with the popularity of flavored coffee drinks the numbers have increased in the past decade. As in adults, excessive caffeine is the current concern regarding teenage coffee enthusiasts. Some well renowned psychologists consider caffeine to be the drug of choice for this generation. That being said, most research suggests that older teens can safely consume at least small amounts of coffee. As with any health concern, it is best to seek medical advice from a physician on the issue. They can address the amount of caffeine that can safely be ingested by your daughter. Most research agrees that age, weight and generally health are considerations in limiting caffeine.