Pros & Cons of Caffeine

PROS AND CONS OF CAFFEINE

By: Susan Gazerro

There is so much controversy about caffeine. Is it good for you? Is it bad for you? Does it help you to lose weight? Is it bad for your heart? There are so many questions. I decided to do my own research, as I do drink one or two cups of coffee each day so I wanted to find the truth! The first article I came across was very positive. It clearly stated that caffeine can improve memory, decrease fatigue, improve your mental functioning, and study after study showed that coffee can improve your shortterm memory and speed up your reaction times. This was all according to a study presented in 2005, at the Radiological Society of North America.

Another article I read had more pros than cons, as is shown below:

• Pro: Energy • Con: Stopping caffeine causes withdrawal symptoms. • Pro: Caffeine is not addictive. • Con: Interferes with sleep • Pro: Long term health benefits • Pro: Not just for coffee lovers • Con: Caffeine has different strengths in different products. • Pro: Coffee is widely popular in social settings. Many students have used coffee, soda, or energy drinks to caffeinate themselves while studying and taking exams or just to stay awake for a long day of lectures. Coffee has become such a staple of everyday life that you can barely go a block before finding a coffee shop. This is especially true here in the Northeast. We have a coffee shop on every corner. Every other week, an article comes out either praising caffeine for its health benefits or criticizing its side effects. So, should you stop drinking coffee or should you invest in a coffee machine? Let’s go back to those previous pros and cons.

Pro: Energy

The reason most people are so dependent on coffee is because it gives them energy. This often translates to better performance at school and work, and moderate caffeine intake can even improve mental health.

Con: Stopping caffeine causes withdrawal.

Caffeine withdrawal is real and symptoms range from the “Monday morning blues,” to headaches and muscle pain.

Pro: Caffeine is not addictive!

I’ve read many articles proclaiming that caffeine is a drug controlling the sheeple of today, but the good news is, the widespread belief that caffeine is addictive is just a myth! While it shares some characteristics with addictive substances, caffeine does not lead to the harmful effects and behaviors associated with addictive substances.

Con: Interferes with sleep.

Consuming caffeine within 6 hours of your bedtime has been shown to disrupt sleep. Getting enough sleep is already a problem for many people and if caffeine isn’t already part of the problem, it certainly won’t help. (On the other hand, some claim that drinking a cup of coffee before a power nap has great results!) A power nap is only 10 or 15 minutes. This has been shown to give you more energy as opposed to taking an hour long nap or longer.

Pro: Long term health benefits.

Contrary to the belief that coffee causes long-term harm to your health, studies have found that regular coffee drinkers had lower risks of cardiovascular disease, liver cancer, Parkinson’s disease, Type 2 diabetes, and more.

Pro: Not just for coffee lovers

Caffeine now comes in many forms for those who don’t enjoy the taste of coffee. You can get your dose in teas, sugary lattes, and even chocolate!

Con: Not all caffeine is equal.

Most studies about the health benefits of coffee refer to black coffee. The sugar and fat in lattes, sodas, energy drinks, and caffeinated candy bars are not good for your overall health, especially on a regular basis. And while tea has its own benefits, it does not share all the perks of coffee and doesn’t contain nearly as much caffeine.

Pro: Coffee is widely popular in a social setting.

Getting a cup of coffee or tea is great low-cost activity for a short work meeting or getting to know someone. Cafes are also a convenient place to study, work, or hang out.

Con: The cost adds up.

If you’re buying a beverage every weekday, even if it’s a small black coffee, the cost will add up fast! Making coffee at home is often cheaper but, depending on what type of machine you have and what coffee you buy, your monthly caffeine allowance could surprise you. I once listened to a financial advisor discuss how to save money. One of the first things she suggested to cut out was buying coffee. She was saying “stop drinking coffee” because we don’t realize how much money we spend and could be saving if we didn’t buy it every day. Some fancy coffee drinks can run between $5 and $10 dollars. If you are buying these daily, that adds up.

I hope this has helped you make a decision (or at least justify what you’ve already decided) on how much caffeine you want to consume!