February 19, 2025 | 09:05 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Drinking coffee has long been associated with various health myths, one of which is the belief that coffee can inhibit growth. Many people believe that drinking coffee at a young age can result in a shorter stature than it should be. But is this claim really scientifically based?
Separating Facts from Myths
As reported by Harvard Health, extensive research on coffee has examined its various impacts on health, including its relationship with cancer, heart disease, and even infertility. However, to date, there is no valid scientific evidence showing that coffee can hinder an individual's growth.
This myth likely stems from the misconception that coffee can cause osteoporosis, which is then linked to loss of height. In fact, coffee does not cause osteoporosis. Osteoporosis does not necessarily result in a significant decrease in height for an individual.
Most of the body's growth occurs before someone starts regularly consuming coffee. Typically, girls reach their maximum height at around 15-17 years of age, while boys reach it around 18-20 years of age. After the bone growth process is complete, coffee consumption will not affect height.
The Origin of the Myth
As reported by Cleveland Clinic, research once indicated that caffeine could increase calcium excretion through urine, leading to concerns about the risk of osteoporosis. This then gave rise to the assumption that coffee could cause individuals to become shorter.
However, after further analysis, it was found that coffee drinkers tend to consume fewer sources of calcium, such as milk. Therefore, the primary factor contributing to osteoporosis is more related to calcium and vitamin D deficiencies, not coffee itself.
The decrease in height in adults is often caused by factors such as natural aging resulting in slight compression of the spinal discs, spinal abnormalities such as scoliosis or kyphosis affecting body posture, and compression fractures due to osteoporosis commonly occurring in the elderly.
Although coffee does not hinder growth, caffeine has negative effects on children's health. Caffeine's side effects to be aware of include sleep disturbances, anxiety, high blood pressure, heart arrhythmia, headaches, mood changes, and digestive system disturbances. In addition, caffeinated drinks such as soda and energy drinks also contain high sugar which can increase the risk of obesity and metabolic diseases.
For adults, moderate coffee consumption can provide several health benefits, including enhancing focus and alertness, reducing the risk of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, and providing beneficial antioxidants for the body. However, excessive consumption can lead to side effects such as sleep disturbances, anxiety, and increased heart rate. Therefore, it is important to consume coffee wisely.
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