FACT CHECK #LRUQK-HP

EXHIBIT A

What you submitted

WHAT WE FOUND

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.

SOURCES

1. 1 · pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.govACADEMIC
   Caffeine Consumption in Children: Innocuous or Deleterious ... - PMC

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2. 2 · health.harvard.eduACADEMIC
   Can Coffee Really Stunt Your Growth? - Harvard Health

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3. 3 · smithsonianmag.comACADEMIC
   It's a Myth: There's No Evidence That Coffee Stunts Kids' Growth

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4. 4 · mcgill.caACADEMIC
   Coffee Doesn't Stunt Your Growth - McGill University

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5. 5 · phillyfairtrade.comACADEMIC
   How Does Coffee Affect Your Height? Science Weighs In

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6. 6 · nytimes.comNEWS
   The Claim: Drinking Coffee Can Stunt a Child's Growth

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7. 7 · webmd.comWEB
   Does Coffee Stunt Your Growth? - WebMD

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8. 8 · theroasterie.comWEB
   Myth or Fact: Does Coffee Stunt Your Growth? - The Roasterie

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9. 9 · justanswer.comWEB
   Does drinking coffee or using other products which contain caffeine ...

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10. 10 · cbsnews.comWEB
    Could caffeine really stunt children's growth? - CBS Boston

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11. 11 · akronchildrens.orgWEB
    For teens: Does Coffee Stunt Your Growth? - Akron Children's

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12. 12 · sprudge.comWEB
    Despite What Your Parents Told You, Coffee WON'T Stunt ... - Sprudge

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