The Buzz on Coffee: Caffeine
In college, it can be so hard to keep up with all the various tests, projects and homework assignments that are due. This often leads to late nights and early mornings so, we get through it with everyone's go-to, coffee. All of this stress often leads to a bit of caffeine overload. 78% of college freshmen drink more than the recommended amount of coffee according to a study done at the University of Kentucky. I mean honestly, who can blame us? It is ridiculously easy to get a cup of coffee on any given college campus. With 30,000 Starbucks locations and 10,000 Dunkin Donuts locations worldwide, chances are there is a coffee shop within walking distance of your next class. Walk into any given coffee shop in a college town, and chances are it will be littered with dozens of students, their noses buried in textbooks and eyes glued to a screen of some sort, studying or doing homework, and fueled by that glorious bean.
Coffee seems crucial to the survival of a college student, but in reality, there are some health benefits. Studies have shown drinking coffee in moderation can lead to a lower risk of cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, and even some cancers. According to Healthline, drinking a cup of coffee a day can also help burn fat. Caffeine could potentially boost your metabolism by as much as 11%. Coffee also has the power to enhance a person's mood and make them happier. In a study done by (insert group name) in 2011, researchers found that regular coffee drinkers had a 20% lower chance of becoming depressed. And to put the cherry on top, coffee drinkers tend to live longer than non-coffee drinkers.
Image courtesy: BuzzFeed
While it seems as though there are tons of benefits to drinking coffee, keep in mind a key factor in these studies was the amount of coffee consumed. Nearly every health benefit was related to drinking only one or two cups of coffee. Don't forget, caffeine is still a drug. It is the world's most widely used psychoactive drug. it is quite easy to develop a caffeine addiction, which can negatively affect a person's health. Over time, a person will need more and more caffeine to feel energized and alert. This causes them to develop a dependency on the substance because their body becomes reliant on the stimulant to feel aware rather than its natural abilities and chemicals. Let's say one morning you don't have time to grab your usual cup of coffee before running to class. Chances are, you are going to end up showing signs of withdrawal. This includes anxiety, headaches, and drowsiness. Perhaps the most important downside of caffeine use, however, is how it can negatively affect your sleep cycle. College students on average already don't get the rest they need, so consuming multiple cups of coffee to stay up late at the library will only worsen the quality of the sleep they do get.
Ultimately when drinking coffee, it all comes down to how much you decide to drink. Coffee can help keep you alert, while also promoting some potential health benefits. But all it takes is a few extra cups of coffee to end up with a bad addiction and horrible sleep cycle. Your daily cup is all about balance. So if you're studying for a test, go ahead and get the extra energy you need – but don't go overboard and sacrifice your health for it.
Strike Out,
Writer: Holly Wilson
Editors: Giselle Parks and Savannah Tindall
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