The Observer, February 18, 2005
Volume XXXVII, Issue 18
Wake up and smell the adverse health effects of America's most s
More than likely, you probably drank something with caffeine today to provide you with a little pick-me-up. In fact, 90 percent of Americans consume caffeine every single day. It may very well be the most addictive drug used by young adults. It is certainly the most socially acceptable – so much, in fact, that very few people actually recognize it as a drug. However, as shown by the adverse effects on the body, withdrawal symptoms, and highly addictive nature, caffeine is certainly a drug.
Many college students rely on caffeine to stay awake and keep up with the heavy demands of an intense workload. This trend is evident at Case, where the workload provokes students to turn to almost anything to make it through the semester. Even students who would not have dared to touch caffeine during their healthy pre-college years are hopelessly addicted to the stimulant that can be found in coffee, tea, sodas, chocolate, painkillers, and over-the-counter pill form.
Few students actually think of what their coffee or Mountain Dew is actually doing to their body. The early adult years are a critical time to build up one's bone mass. The amount and strength of the bone built during this time period will influence one's risk for osteoporosis, a disease in which the bones become extremely porous, fracture easily, and can cause a severe curvature of the spine. Essentially, the bone begins to take the appearance of a sponge, with actual holes spaced throughout. Unfortunately, the use of caffeine has been found to be highly linked to an increased risk of osteoporosis and weak bones. Because of the excess acid that enters the bloodstream during coffee consumption, there is an increased calcium loss through the urine.
Additionally, many girls rely on caffeine-laden diet sodas as their sole beverage source. They use the rationale that drinking a 90-calorie cup of milk is pointless when they could just as easily drink as much diet soda as they wish with no caloric gain. This is extremely unfortunate because young women are drastically increasing their risk for developing osteoporosis. In fact, skim milk is one of the best drinks to consume – it is low calorie, a good source of protein, and full of calcium and vitamin D.
While students use caffeine to get through the day, the drug can pose major problems when trying to fall asleep. Many individuals continue to feel "wired" hours following their Starbucks run, and, as a result, are unable to maintain a healthy sleep pattern. At least we are all familiar enough with binary code now to bore ourselves to sleep if we find ourselves in such a situation.
Caffeine has been proven to cause abnormally fast, abnormally slow, and irregular heart beats. Caffeine consumption causes a greater flow of blood to the heart, but a decreased blood flow to the brain by constricting cerebral blood vessels. Therefore, caffeine consumption during studying should not be recommended since the brain is running with less blood.
Furthermore, caffeine has been linked to stunted growth, an increased risk for diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, and pancreatic and bladder cancers. In males, it can also lead to infertility, and it may cause birth defects when consumed by a pregnant woman.
Thirty percent of Americans actually qualify for the diagnosis of a drug addiction with their caffeine usage. Withdrawal symptoms can be present in individuals who do not presently have caffeine in their system, but routinely rely on the drug. Withdrawal symptoms can include headache, nausea, irritability, fatigue, drowsiness, difficulty concentrating, and depression. The best way to avoid these adverse effects? Don't allow yourself to get hooked on caffeine in the first place.
Now that you recognize the adverse effects of caffeine, it is important to make lifestyle changes to gain energy elsewhere. Rather than relying on caffeine, workout after class to give you that boost to get you going. Eat healthful meals at regular intervals throughout the day to keep your energy levels high. Replace your caffeinated beverages with herbal teas, milk, or decaffeinated coffees and sodas.
For best results, try cutting back on your caffeine consumption gradually, rather than quitting cold turkey. Still need motivation to quit? Imagine how attractive you'll be in 40 years about six inches shorter and with a hunched back – and put that cup of coffee down.
