Some of the most widely consumed beverage nowadays is coffee. Caffeine, a mild stimulator that boosts energy, is an ingredient in it. Many individuals think that excessive caffeine use can stop you from getting taller.
A person’s height is determined by several factors. The primary determinant of an individual’s adult height is genetics. Genes related to metabolism, height, and weight are passed down from your parents.
Does coffee stunt your growth?
There is no proof that caffeine-containing beverages, such as coffee, can stunt your growth, but certain lifestyle choices, such as childhood eating habits, can affect your height.
Where Did the Myth Come From?
This myth’s origin is a little unclear. There are several historical and contemporary claims that try to control coffee consumption. In England, King Charles II outlawed the beverage in 1675, while the Ethiopian Orthodox Church prohibited its followers from consuming it before the seventeenth century. Regulations in more recent years have mainly been restricted to daily consumption guidelines, but there are numerous assertions about coffee’s possible health risks as well as its therapeutic advantages.
How Does Coffee Affect Bone Health?
The misunderstanding that coffee promotes osteoporosis—a disorder that may be linked to height loss—may have given rise to this notion.
However, it is incorrect to attribute height reduction from osteoporosis to coffee for at least two reasons:
Osteoporosis is not brought on by coffee.
Being short is not a common consequence of osteoporosis.
Caffeine and Calcium Absorption: Is There a Link?
Studies conducted decades ago suggested that coffee consumers may be more susceptible to osteoporosis. It was proposed that:
Caffeine might speed up the body’s calcium excretion.
A calcium deficiency may be a contributing factor to osteoporosis.
This, of course, generated a great deal of interest and worry. Since there are countless coffee drinkers, it stands to reason that they could all be in danger. However, coffee has little effect on the elimination of calcium. Furthermore, there was never any proof that coffee drinking was linked to osteoporosis. In fact, it was discovered that those who drank more coffee also consumed less milk and other calcium-containing beverages when the studies that suggested a connection were examined. Therefore, the probability of osteoporosis was likely raised by coffee drinkers’ consumption of vitamin D and calcium rather than by coffee itself.
Scientific Studies: What Research Says
Numerous studies have not found any significant health concerns linked to coffee use. Some people may experience jitters, sleeplessness, and a mild (and transient) rise in blood pressure after drinking coffee.
Although there are no conclusive studies, excessive coffee consumption—six or more cups per day—has been linked to decreased fertility and miscarriage. Moreover, increased caffeine consumption might exacerbate heartburn brought on by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), create migraine headaches, and cause withdrawal symptoms.
However, the majority of coffee consumers experience no unpleasant side effects. Additionally, other studies have “cleared” coffee as a cause of heart disease and cancer, among other major illnesses. Actually, studies have connected coffee drinking to a number of health advantages, such as a lower risk of:
Diabetes type 2
Heart rhythm abnormalities
A stroke
Parkinson’s illness
Alzheimer’s disease
Liver illness
Some types of cancer, particularly liver cancer
Gout
Caffeine may not be the only factor contributing to some of these possible advantages. For instance, coffee consumers might lead healthier lives than those who don’t. If accurate, the decreased risk of some diseases may be due to those lifestyle changes rather than the coffee. These possible health benefits might not be related to coffee, just as the “link” between coffee and osteoporosis was found to have another cause.
Does Coffee Impact Growth in Children and Teens?
Another issue with the “coffee stunts your growth” argument is that most people’s growth happens long before they start routinely drinking coffee. Most people have nearly attained their full height by the time they are in their teens. This often occurs for girls between the ages of 15 and 17; for boys, it occurs a little later. It is impossible to “undo” bone development once it has begun.
How Much Coffee Is Safe to Drink?
Coffee won’t necessarily have a detrimental effect on your health as long as you take it in moderation. A daily intake of less than 400 milligrams of caffeine, or around four cups of coffee, is the typical recommendation.
There may be minor health consequences if you consume more coffee than is advised each day. Caffeine overdose symptoms include heart palpitations, difficulty falling asleep, and irritability. Long-term overconsumption of caffeine can cause insomnia, a sleep condition that makes hard to fall and stay sleepy at night.
Caffeine of any kind should therefore be avoided a minimum of six hours before bed; this will promote restful sleep. Since coffee is usually consumed in the morning, you don’t have to fully stop drinking it to prevent sleep issues.
Final Verdict:
Coffee doesn’t slow down your growth, regardless of whether it turns out to have major health benefits. The height of your parents, the quality of your nutrition, and your general health during your formative years all have a significant impact on your height. You can probably reach the highest height “allowed” by your family history if you consume foods that are nutritious and take precautions against osteoporosis. I apologize: Avoiding coffee is not going to make you any taller, just as consuming it won’t make you any shorter.
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