Known to have a plethora of health benefits, tea is the second most-consumed drink in the world after water. Whether it is to soothe you when you are feeling under the water or just to kickstart your day, tea is the perfect concoction. Usually, these benefits are reaped by adults only and are not a popular drink among children. However if as a concerned parent you were wondering if tea is safe to be consumed by kids and has the same benefits, well rest assured it is. Tea can be given to your kids to alleviate symptoms when they are sick.
However, certain things need to be kept in consideration before you introduce tea to your child’s diet. Because of its caffeine content, child nutritionists tend to advise against giving tea to kids under 5 years of age. Caffeine is known to be a stimulant, drinking it will stimulate your nervous system and make you feel refreshed, but the same caffeine content, when included in a child’s diet, causes stomach and sleep issues. The nutrition in tea is also difficult for kids below 5 years to digest. Regular tea should not be consumed by kids below 6 months of age and only certain herbal teas are safe to consume.
The ideal age to introduce tea in your child’s diet would ideally be above the age of 5 and the recommended amount should not be more than 45 mg of caffeine in a day. Children younger than that can be susceptible to the adverse effects of caffeine, but once they are older than toddlers their bodies develop a self-defense strategy and can digest tea properly. So introduce tea to them when they are above the age of toddlers and they will be able to reap the benefits without facing any harmful effects.
Let’s look at the 5 types of teas that are not only good for little one’s health but they would enjoy it too.
Chamomile Tea – Good for digestion drinking chamomile tea after eating is known to activate the process of digestion. Chamomile tea will also aid to alleviate the discomfort caused by stomach issues in infants. It has anti-inflammatory properties making it an ideal herb for a child who is stressed. Frozen chamomile tea will also help relieve children who are teething.
Ginger Tea – The most commonly brewed herbal tea, ginger tea is known to have plenty of health benefits. It helps in soothing the throat if you have an infection and it's perfect for those terrible colds. We recommend using dry ginger rather than raw ginger to treat coughs. Ginger tea is also known to treat nausea, ulcers, and digestive problems.
Tea with fennel – When fennel is added while brewing black tea, it aids in digestion and helps in alleviating symptoms like stomach cramps, gas, and spasms, and because of its sweet tastes it's adored by children. Fennel tea is recommended for children who have low appetites.
Peppermint Tea – Peppermint tea is quite popular among tea consumers and has made its mark in the tea market for its health benefits. Consumption of peppermint tea helps in stimulation of the intestines resulting in the reduction of issues of the stomach. However, it's advisable not to solely depend on peppermint tea for persistent issues as drinking too much peppermint tea will lead to or aggravate reflux. It's advisable to stick to 2-3 cups in a day. Its minty fresh taste is a favorite among kids.
Rose tea – As the name suggests rose tea is made from rose petals. A fragrant and tasty beverage rose tea has tons of health benefits. Rose tea is helpful when it comes to treating the flu and sore throats. It also has properties that can build the immune system and is beneficial for the skin as well.
It's always advisable to monitor how a new diet is affecting your child’s health, the same applies when you introduce tea to your child. Look out for any reactions, headaches, or any kind of aggravation of existing symptoms. If any of these occur it's advisable to discontinue the beverage or even visit a doctor to determine any underlying issues. All herbal teas are safe to consume provided in moderation and your child will reap the benefits for years to come.