Hannah, a mother of two from Poughkeepsie, asked us the following question:

Is Green Tea safe for children?

Now, research tells us that there really is no direct answer to this question, so it is still best to decide based on your own disgression. First and foremost, the only substance that seems to be preventing anyone from giving green tea to kids is caffeine, but then again, caffeine is found in most sodas.

We have scoured the internet for opinions and we have compiled the best ones below. Some, or a combination of quoted opinions below may give you the answer to what you’re looking for.

Actually, they say now that instead of using a.d.d. medication, a nice cup of espresso will have the same effect on kids, without the cost, or the chemicals in your childs system. I had tea every morning before school with toast or bread and jam, and my i.q. is very high, I’m a writer, a musician, and a chef, and artist so don’t go by my word –but it certainly didn’t hurt me. — Nancy (Yahoo! Answers)

I say so, in moderation. It beats giving them soda pop. Green tea is a wonderful drink, I drink it a lot. The green tea I use does not have a real high caffeine content. — Jackie Blue (Yahoo! Answers)

If you have young kids, it is advisable for them not to drink tea. This is because tea contains caffeine that may over-stimulate. It also contains tannins that may block nutrients absorption such as protein and fats in children. — amazing-green-tea.com

We therefore conclude that, like everything, giving green tea to children should be done in moderation (at most once a day) and, if your kids are really, really young (below 5 years), it’s best to wait a couple of years.