UNVERIFIED

Extensive research into the physiological effects of coffee has found no evidence that caffeine consumption directly stunts a child's growth 3 4 6. High-credibility sources emphasize that a person's height is primarily determined by genetics and general nutrition 5 11. While one study found that maternal caffeine intake during pregnancy was associated with slightly shorter stature in offspring 10, and other experts note that caffeine's impact on child development remains controversial 1, there is no scientifically valid evidence linking childhood coffee drinking to reduced height 2 12. Because most scientific literature points to an absence of evidence rather than a definitive disproof, the claim is classified as unverified according to strict evidentiary standards 7 9. Readers are encouraged to review the Harvard Health analysis 2 to better understand why this myth persists despite lack of scientific support.