The facts behind the viral appeal not to give tea to children, is it really dangerous?

Jakarta –

Viral on social media Instagram is a story template that advocates not giving tea to children. In the story template that was shared, there is a picture of a doctor’s order asking parents not to give tea as a drink to children because it can affect the absence of iron.

“Please do not give tea to children under the age of five. Because tea can interfere with iron ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ and can promote anemia,” wrote the order.

The template shared by content creator and pediatrician, Dr. Jati Kusuma, SpA, says that children need iron. This content is important for brain development, boosting immunity, muscle energy source, and preventing stunting in children.

Effects of Drinking Tea on Children

In connection with the widely shared upload, clinical nutritionist Dr Raissa E Djuanda, MGizi, SpGK, AIFO-K, FINEM confirmed that tea consumption in children can reduce the risk of anemia in raise children. This is caused by tannin compounds in tea that can bind iron from the food eaten.

If it is consumed with food, the body cannot get the iron ​​that children need properly.

“There is a substance called tannin in tea. This tannin can bind iron in the food we eat, so that the absorption of iron in our body becomes less,” said Dr. Raissa when detikcom contacted us, Wednesday (9/10/2024).

“Children are still growing and developing. So if they lack iron, they have the potential to be anemic and disrupt their growth and development,” he continued.

In addition to disrupting growth and development, Dr. Raissa said that the problem of iron deficiency can also affect children’s intelligence. In addition, iron-deficient children are also more prone to infections because their immune systems are weaker.

Next: Rules for drinking tea in children