What is coffee? Why is it such a cultural norm?

Is it safe for teens to consume?

Coffee is peddled everywhere and is obsessed over by our work-heavy, overly productive culture. It’s no surprise why everyone is obsessed with the stuff since it increases our alertness and wakefulness, which is particularly helpful when we’re starting off our work days and need an extra boost. It can also make for a good pick-me-up throughout the day while we’re grinding at our cubicles, cramming for that exam, or working to get that project done the night before. It’s also an addictive substance made from the brewed beans of a coffee plant which is native to African countries like Yemen and Ethiopia that can have varying effects on the brewmaster’s health. Before going over all of the positive and negative effects that caffeine can have, it is important to understand that these effects really all depend on you and your relationship with coffee. Coffee can give some people the jitters and an irritable stomach after a cup or two whereas some can drink it by the pot and feel perfectly well and good. If you’re worried about your caffeine habits, it may be a good time to review the pros and cons to having that second cup.

The Good

Despite the fact that it is an addictive substance, this coffee bean drink brings many health benefits with it. According to the National Institutes of Health, research from 2012 stated that older adults who were coffee drinkers had an overall lower risk of death from conditions like heart disease, stroke, respiratory disease, diabetes, infections, etc. The more common upsides to coffee is the alertness and focus that it brings to the drinker – effects that students would find particularly helpful as they’re trying to succeed in their studies. It’s not all peaches for the younger demographic, however, there can be a few downsides to grabbing too many cups of joe.

The Bad

Being a teen can be an overwhelming, anxious time in your life. Piling on a caffeinated stimulant could worsen your nerves and give you undesirable side effects such as: the jitters, an upset stomach, headaches, insomnia, heart palpitations, heightened blood pressure, etc. (according to KidsHealth). Excessive consumption can lead to issues like dehydration (coffee is a diuretic, which means that it causes the body to lose water through excessive urination) and withdrawal symptoms if the consumer decides to stop drinking abruptly. These side effects aren’t insignificant, especially for teens. Most health guidelines will recommend to keep caffeine consumption moderate in general and to stay caffeine-free if you’re a teenager or a child.

The Verdict

Little is known about the long-term impacts of caffeine consumption for younger people, though if you decide to be a full-time coffee drinker, you do so at your own risk. There are benefits to resorting to coffee and it can be tempting to take it cup-for-cup, especially on the night before a major paper is due. But like with anything else, too much of a good thing can be a bad thing.