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Volume 11
Issue 5
10.3390/beverages11050148
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Review

Biological Activities of Tea: Benefits, Risks, and Critical Overview of Their Consumption in Children

by
Mario Castillo-Ruiz
1,2,
Juan Pablo Espinoza
3,
Lisette Benavides
2 and
María Carolina Otero
2,*
1
Escuela de Tecnología Médica, Departamento de Ciencias Químicas y Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Bernardo O’Higgins, Santiago 8370854, Chile
2
Escuela de Química y Farmacia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago 8370146, Chile
3
Centro Integrativo de Biología y Química Aplicada (CIBQA), Universidad Bernardo O’Higgins, Santiago 8370993, Chile
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Beverages 2025, 11(5), 148; https://doi.org/10.3390/beverages11050148
Submission received: 12 August 2025 / Revised: 10 September 2025 / Accepted: 30 September 2025 / Published: 14 October 2025
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Abstract

Tea, derived from the leaves of Camellia sinensis is globally recognized for its cultural significance and potential health benefits. While extensively studied in adults, the effects of tea consumption in children remain underexplored. This review examines tea′s bioactive compounds, such as catechins, flavonoids, and L-theanine, and their cognitive, cardiovascular, metabolic, oral, and hepatoprotective benefits with a critical overview of its consumption in pediatric populations. Additionally, the review addresses potential risks, including caffeine-related effects, interference with iron absorption, and hepatotoxicity at high doses. Emerging evidence suggests that tea is a beneficial alternative to sugar-sweetened beverages for children when consumed in moderation. However, caution is warranted regarding caffeine content and the balance of bioactive components. This analysis underscores the importance of further research to establish safe and effective guidelines for tea consumption in children.
Keywords: cardiovascular benefits; catechins; cognitive health; pediatric tea consumption; tea cardiovascular benefits; catechins; cognitive health; pediatric tea consumption; tea

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MDPI and ACS Style

Castillo-Ruiz, M.; Espinoza, J.P.; Benavides, L.; Otero, M.C. Biological Activities of Tea: Benefits, Risks, and Critical Overview of Their Consumption in Children. Beverages 2025, 11, 148. https://doi.org/10.3390/beverages11050148

AMA Style

Castillo-Ruiz M, Espinoza JP, Benavides L, Otero MC. Biological Activities of Tea: Benefits, Risks, and Critical Overview of Their Consumption in Children. Beverages. 2025; 11(5):148. https://doi.org/10.3390/beverages11050148

Chicago/Turabian Style

Castillo-Ruiz, Mario, Juan Pablo Espinoza, Lisette Benavides, and María Carolina Otero. 2025. "Biological Activities of Tea: Benefits, Risks, and Critical Overview of Their Consumption in Children" Beverages 11, no. 5: 148. https://doi.org/10.3390/beverages11050148

APA Style

Castillo-Ruiz, M., Espinoza, J. P., Benavides, L., & Otero, M. C. (2025). Biological Activities of Tea: Benefits, Risks, and Critical Overview of Their Consumption in Children. Beverages, 11(5), 148. https://doi.org/10.3390/beverages11050148

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