Caffeinated Campus

By: Lauren Giordano
Posted In: News

NEWPORT, RI- Exhausted students roam the campus with coffee in their hands unknowingly making matters worse.

A long line forms at Jazzman’s café as students rush to grab their coffees before and after classes just to stay awake. While a student places an order she rummages through her purse to gather enough change to pay for her latte. Her distressed face comes to an ease as she sips her hot cup filled with an abundance of caffeine. She receives her quick fix of energy and proceeds to class oblivious to the risks of her actions.

Many students at Salve Regina University rely on caffeinated beverages to perform their daily tasks, but are actually causing harm to their health. Energy drinks and coffees are gulped to better prepare for an exam because students depend on caffeine. Today, it is more readily accessible to be abused than ever before.

“People turn to caffeine to keep up, but they are just falling further and further behind,” said Mary Kay Connell, director of Salve Regina’s health services.

The Risks

According to the National Coffee Association of U.S.A., young adults who drank coffee consumed an average of 3.2 cups per day in the year 2008 despite their awareness of health risks. People who drink an abundance of caffeine are at risk of developing constant headaches, sleep deprivation, increased heart rate and anxiety.

MIT Medical found consumers are in danger of Caffeine Intoxication, which is a clinical syndrome that consists of nervousness, anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, gastric upset, tremors and rapid heartbeat. This condition may be fatal and is caused by the overconsumption of caffeinated beverages including coffee and energy drinks. Caffeine intoxication is easily caused due to the abundance of caffeine content in beverages. Energy drinks alone contain between 50 milligrams and 500 milligrams of caffeine per serving. Some energy drinks have the equivalent amount of caffeine content as fourteen cans of Coke. It is considered excess use when a person consumes over 500 milligrams of caffeine in one day.

Caffeine on Campus

Connell explained that many students come to her with the symptoms of caffeine abuse without even knowing caffeine causes their problems. This is due to the many misconceptions about caffeine. People are unaware of how many things contain it. Connell said for example chocolate and medicines, such as Midol, have caffeine content and consuming anything with caffeine after lunchtime will affect sleeping patterns.

“If you want A’s get Z’s,” Connell said. As an expert, she strongly believes students must sleep in order to perform better in school because sleep is one of the most essential components for a healthy body. Sleep benefits students despite their mentality that pulling all nighters will get the job done.

Even as a non-coffee drinker, Connell does not believe that a coffee is harmful in a morning routine, but she does caution those who drink it in excess about the serious health issues they may develop. “Drinking coffee is okay when done in moderation, but when you’re dependent, it’s a problem,” Connell said.

Emily Munchbach, a Salve Regina sophomore, admits she needs a coffee to properly start her day and even considers herself an addict. At age ten, Munchbach started drinking coffee to be like her older brother and soon found her imitation to be addicting. “I drink coffee to curb my appetite and now I’m just addicted to the taste,” Munchbach said.

Munchbach said on average she drinks three cups of coffee per day along with one can of coke. The most she has ever consumed in one day was six cups of coffee. She also stated caffeine no longer has an effect over her energy level and it doesn’t make her feel as alert as it used to. She is aware of the health risks involved with abusing caffeine and does get headaches when she goes too long without it. “The longest I ever went without coffee was for three weeks when I got my tonsils removed and I was determined to save money and break my addiction, but I was addicted again after just one sip,” Munchbach said.

Stopping the Addiction

Some students crave caffeine like a severe addiction. For some, it has become a part of their morning routine, while others use it as an occasional energy jolt to get through an assignment. Either form of use can be difficult to stop. When people try to kick their addiction or habit, they will undergo some form of withdrawal including fatigue, headaches and shaking.

While breaking the addiction to caffeine, there are alternatives to receive energy and optimize performances. Connell suggests any form of exercise as an excellent source of quick energy. She believes exercise in the morning is important because the endorphins released give the body energy for the rest of the day. Exercise shouldn’t be done late at night because it will keep your body energized making it more difficult to fall asleep. Connell also advises students to graze throughout the day. Keeping healthy snacks nearby maintains the sugar level in the blood. Receiving protein all throughout the day keeps the brain energized. Coffee is not a healthy diet source.

Connell further states that being aware of items that contain caffeine is essential for sleeping purposes. It is vital to stop having caffeine after lunchtime to receive proper sleep at night. She suggests students log onto www. Medweb.mit.edu for further information on sleep deprivation due to the use of caffeine. The website also provides tips, music and relaxation methods for students struggling with sleep deprivation or caffeine addiction.