Late nights dedicated to homework blend into early mornings and the struggle to wake up. How do students chase away that fog of exhaustion? Caffeine. 

“Caffeine personally boosts my mood and makes me more energetic. Without my morning coffee, I would probably fall asleep during class,” one student from DHS said.

That brings on the question of, is it healthy? Studies show that, in moderation, it is.

“Low to moderate doses of caffeine may cause increased alertness, energy, and ability

to concentrate,” according to a study by Harvard’s Nutrition Source.

Students would agree that they do better when caffeinated.

“My performance increases since caffeine is a stimulant, and I can focus better and fixate on my work rather than be dead tired throughout the day,” another DHS student said.

These elements lead to higher rates of productivity which can help students get through the school day.

“Recent studies found that coffee drinkers are less likely to die from some of the leading causes of death in women,” writers in a study for Johns Hopkins University said.

Caffeine has been found to reduce the risk of diabetes, heart failure, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s, strokes, and other various cancers like colon cancer.

Many of the benefits also apply to men including reduced risk of cancer and decreased risk of depression.

On the other hand, studies also show that higher consumption of caffeinated drinks can have negative effects like insomnia, high heart rate, and anxiety depending on the person.

“The extra calories, sugar, and saturated fat in a coffee house beverage loaded with whipped cream and flavored syrup might offset any health benefits found in a basic black coffee,” said Harvard’s Nutrition Source.

Is it the caffeine that’s the unhealthy part or is it the extras?

Statistics say that less than 3% of people drink coffee less than once a month and most of those who drink it more often, drink it with some form of sweetener or creamer.

The additives can often be the most unhealthy part of caffeinated drinks, making black coffee the healthiest form of caffeine intake. However, people crave sugar and doctored drinks.

Only 10% of Dallastown’s students reported not adding anything to their coffee. Most add a variety, especially cream and sugar.

“Consuming too much added sugar is linked to diabetes, heart disease, weight gain, and a number of other health problems,” commented writers for University Hospitals.

Numerous brands of energy drinks contain Guarana, ginseng, ginkgo biloba, taurine, L-carnitine, and glucuronolactone which are added chemicals to enhance the caffeine effect which seems great to students but not so much to their bodies. 

“Rich in antioxidants, coffee naturally contains niacin (vitamin B3), riboflavin (vitamin B2), potassium, magnesium and various phenolic compounds, among other nutrients,” said writers for University Hospitals.

The natural aspects of coffee make it a healthier option rather than the added compounds in various energy drinks.

“An Australian study investigating five popular types of coffee brewing methods has found that espresso contains the highest concentration of caffeine,” writers for University of Newcastle said.

Espresso and cold brew contain the most caffeine concerning types of brew which increases the impact of these forms of coffee over your typical drip brew or French press.

Studies show that lattes are the most popular form of coffee which consists of a shot of espresso, steamed milk, and a layer of milky froth.

“73% of Americans drink coffee every day,” said Emily Rodgers, a writer for Drive Research.

Those born between 1946-1964, or the Baby Boomers, drink the most coffee with 85% drinking it on a daily basis.

“92% of students said that they consume caffeine,” said Kate MacDonnel according to a study from the National Library of Medicine.

From Dallastown, 88% of students reported enjoying caffeine, with most saying they enjoyed 1-2 energy drinks or coffee a day.

Student reliance on caffeine makes coffee shops a popular place to study. Caffeine gives students more energy to do their assignments which benefits their academics.

Popular places for students to go to are Dunkin’, Starbucks, Restless, Seven Brew, Belmont Bean, and Common Grounds Cafe. However, students can also get their caffeine fix from Dallastown’s very own Wildcat Cafe.

“The caffeine in coffee has been found in animal and cell studies to protect cells in the brain that produce dopamine,” according to a study by Harvard’s Nutrition Source.

Coffee has correlation to the chemical dopamine that triggers happiness, therefore making people who drink coffee less likely to become depressed and more likely to be happy.

Those who drink around four cups of coffee per day have a 10% less chance of being depressed than those who don’t drink any.

“It’s positivity in a cup,” said a student at Dallastown from a survey. Others agreed and said it helps them focus and perform better.

When consumed in moderation, coffee has many long term benefits for health and short term benefits for productivity, energy, and mood.

Many people think that caffeine is bad for their health in general. Around 30% of people in the survey said coffee was definitely not healthy.

“I think it can be healthy in small amounts, but just like anything else, too much of it can be unhealthy,” said one Dallastown student. Most agreed that in moderation caffeine has its benefits.

Research and opinions continue to be compiled on the subject of caffeine, but regardless, the drink has a significant impact in the lives of many people, especially students.