Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant. It helps make the person feel more alert and awake to help them through a long day. Caffeine for some people may not be the best solution to drink when wanting to wake you up or need that extra boost, but it also has its health benefits. Coffee drinkers, for example, are less likely to have type 2 diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, dementia, and even have fewer cases of certain cancers other than non-coffee drinkers. However, the more you take in the caffeine, the more addicting it will be to want more when your body runs low on that little jolt of energy, no matter what the of day.
“Around 90 percent of Americans consume caffeine every single day in one form or another. More than half of all American adults consume more than 300 milligrams of caffeine every day, making it America’s most popular drug by far,” said Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland.
“I am actually a coffee lover myself so I collect research that supports the benefits. I do think caffeine- it’s a stimulant, so too much of anything isn’t good for you, that would be my moderation in all things, so I do think too much caffeine on a regular basis is going to make you jittery and make your heart pound. Most people are pretty familiar with the feeling of being over-caffeinated, that is never good, and if it’s disrupting people’s sleep that’s another concern you know, especially high school aged students- that would be a concern I would have because sleep is a very important thing for your overall health, particularly at this age,” NHS school Nursing Supervisor Anne Dalton said.
Most NHS students agreed that caffeine does not have too many health benefits, and it is more of an addictive stimulant rather than a health benefit. Caffeine will elevate someone’s heart rate, increase blood flow, and raise body temperature. It can also increase someone’s blood sugar levels and act on behalf of a diuretic. The downfall of consuming caffeine everyday can make someone have frequent headaches, excessive sleepiness, and feeling like they cannot function without it.
“I really don’t think there are any health benefits from it, I just think that it can be good to give you the extra energy you need sometimes. I don’t think it’s a huge part of somebody’s diet but I definitely think it’s a small part,” NHS junior Cj Herde said. NHS senior Robin Rockwell has a similar viewpoint.
“I don’t think I know enough about caffeinated beverages to make a statement about the benefits or harmful effects they have. I think it definitely can be an addictive beverage but I also think it can help you wake up in the morning. I don’t think it’s a huge part of someone's regular diet because of the addictiveness caffeine can have but I think having it occasionally is fine, but having it in your regular diet can definitely affect you,” Rockwell said.
Caffeine has become a necessity for people to drink, whether it is in the morning or late afternoon to feel energized after a long day. It allows individuals to function in a very ‘rushed’ society, which is why it is the most popular stimulant people always lean towards and cannot live without.
Image Courtesy of caffeineinformer.com