Caffeine is a stimulant that many students at HAHS use to stay energized throughout the day. While normally associated with coffee, it can also be found in tea, sodas, and energy drinks, even if the amount varies. However, though the right dosage of caffeine can significantly improve students’ ability to function, one should be aware of the different ways caffeine can affect their bodies.
Students who drink caffeinated beverages can benefit from increased wakefulness due to how easily caffeine is absorbed in the brain. There, caffeine molecules block receptors that increase sleepiness and relax the nervous system, causing a stimulating effect that releases chemicals that improve alertness, according to the EU Food Information Council. Moreover, it can last an estimated five hours before the body slowly breaks it down, so the energy gained from consuming caffeine can improve focus during the school day. Also, student-athletes who take caffeine often perform better in their respective sport. For example, the National Academy of Sports Medicine states that it can decrease reaction times, improve hand-eye coordination, and increase endurance capacity.
Despite caffeine’s benefits, there can also be downsides if it is misused or overconsumed. While there is always a risk when having too much of something, extremely high doses of caffeine can be dangerous or cause long-term harm. Still, those who take a normal or slightly higher amount of caffeine can experience side effects like sleep interference and restlessness, according to Mayo Clinic. As such, students who drink caffeine could experience problems sleeping, which could negatively affect their performance at school. However, if students recognize their body’s response to caffeine, they can mitigate the negative effects by changing the amount or time they consume it.
For more information, visit https://www.eufic.org/en, /www.mayoclinic.org/, and blog.nasm.org.
