It’s no surprise that early brain development has a long-term impact on a child’s ability to learn and succeed in life. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that the first eight years of a child’s life builds a foundation for future learning, health, and success in life.
One factor that may impact a child’s brain development is the foods they eat. This is why it’s important to know what foods can help with brain development, and which ones you’re better off avoiding. Here are five foods that may harm your child’s brain development.
Caffeine
While you probably aren’t serving your kids a cup of coffee each day, some common foods and beverages contain caffeine as the main ingredient. One of those drinks is sodas. For example, the average amount of caffeine in an eight-ounce cola drink is 22-milligrams (mg).
Mayo Clinic says excessive caffeine intake can lead to troubling side effects such as headaches, restlessness, and anxiety in adults. Kids are not exempt from these either. Some other symptoms that can be harmful to their mental development and overall health include jumpiness, nervousness, sleep loss, and hyperactivity.