Wednesday, December 3, 2008
It’s after midnight and Lindsey Williamson sits awake in her apartment, racking her brain as she studies for an upcoming exam. Pulling all-nighters isn’t Williamson’s cup of tea.
She prefers coffee.
Williamson, Paola junior, is part of a national trend of increased coffee drinking among college-aged adults since 2005. The National Coffee Association stated in its 2008 report that for adults aged 18 to 24, the average number of cups of coffee consumed per person rose to 3.2 daily, up from 3.1 last year and 2.5 in 2005.
KANSAN
Ann Chapman, dietitian for Student Health Services, said caffeine consumption increased students’ alertness, which added to its appeal during finals preparation. She said the Food and Drug Administration classified caffeine as “generally recognized as safe,” meaning its health risks for consumers were low.
Williamson, who consumes both coffee and energy drinks, said she sometimes failed to feel the effects of her caffeine intake.
Chapman said people reacted to caffeine differently depending on factors such as body size. Though some people felt the effects after one serving, she said, some people could consume several servings without achieving the same caffeine buzz.
break box
Caffeine content by the drink
16 oz. Starbucks Coffee Grande — 330 mg
1 NoDoz Maximum strength tablet — 200 mg
16 oz. Full Throttle energy drink — 144 mg
8 oz. plain, brewed coffee — 95 mg
12 oz. Mountain Dew — 54 mg
8 oz. Green tea — 30-50 mg
12 oz. Coca-Cola — 35 mg
16 oz. Snapple Iced Tea — 18 mg
1.45 oz. Hershey’s Special Dark Bar — 18 mg
— Source: Mayoclinic.com
Students can obtain caffeine in many ways, shapes and forms. Chapman said the substance could be found in the leaves, seeds and fruits of more than 60 plants. She said caffeine was used in making products such as tea, coffee, cola drinks and chocolate.
For most people, Chapman said, moderate consumption of caffeine was about 300 milligrams of the substance, the equivalent of three cups of coffee. She said side effects of too much caffeine included insomnia, restlessness, muscle-twitching and increased heart rate. She said the effects were not dangerous to people’s health, but they could sometimes be uncomfortable.
Chapman said energy drinks were often more potent than other drinks containing caffeine. She said many energy drinks also contained guarana, a substance almost identical to caffeine. She said the combination of the two ingredients often added an extra, unexpected jolt.
For people who consume caffeine consistently, Chapman said there was a risk of addiction. She said breaking away from caffeine often resulted in withdrawal symptoms including headaches and irritability.
Charlie Russell, Chicago senior, said he brewed his own coffee at home about four times each week. He said it was a necessary part not only of his study habits, but also of his entire morning routine.
“Caffeine plus flavor equals wake up,” Russell said.
Visit the National Coffee Association.
— — Edited by Brenna Hawley
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