Have you had your daily dose of caffeine today? For many, the answer would be yes; caffeine is the most widely used drug in the world. According to the Mayo Clinic an average teenager is only supposed to have 100mg of caffeine per day. Local research of high school students has found that many students are consuming upwards of 300mg a day. Many teenagers don’t even realize how much caffeine they are consuming.
Caffeine can come in many forms. It is not unusual for a high school student to get caffeine through an energy drink, a cup of coffee, caffeinated gels, soft drinks, chocolate, or pre-workout. Having reasonable amounts of caffeine can have health benefits, but having too much can be very detrimental.
To caffeinate or not to caffeinate goes through the minds of many high school students. Many of them choose to drink caffeine through an energy drink or a cup of coffee. For example, sophomore Jyles Zalbowitz drinks an average of 1000 mg of caffeine every day. Whether that be through energy drinks or coffee. Even to the point of saying that he has a severe addiction to it. His doctor said that he “could be risking a stroke or heart failure.” Zalbowitz feels that working out a lot balances out the amount of caffeine he has in a day.
Junior Ben Siebelhas a fairly conservative approach to using caffeine, understanding when it benefits him and when it hurts him. Pointing out that he tries not to consume any around 6-7 pm after experiencing that it can make his sleep much worse. He does not see it as a problem and not fully controlling him, but says he does “see it as a good assistant” to get through the day.
One of the teachers at DHS also recognizes that there are benefits to others when he has caffeine, Mr. Calhoun said, “No one wants a grumpy math teacher, so I almost always drink my coffee in the morning.” Adding that It does not have any adverse effects for me, it’s a habit that I have, and it’s a part of my routine and I really enjoy it.”
Freshman Maverick Balthazorstarted drinking coffee in sixth grade to improve his energy levels. Now, as a freshman in high school he feels that the absence of caffeine would affect his grades negatively. He drinks about 2 cups of coffee a day, which is a typical amount of caffeine in a day.
The principal of DHS, Jonathan Heorl, shared some helpful advice for students who drink caffeine daily. He points out that “Some studies have shown that caffeine, moderate caffeine consumption through coffee, can have health benefits. But obviously, you reach a point of diminishing return where it can be in excess.” He worries about kids who are drinking energy drinks like Monster Drinks, Celsius’s, and Red Bulls because of the heavy dosage of caffeine these energy drinks have. Showing concern for kids because of the risks of having heart problems.
Balance is key when it comes to caffeine consumption. Too much can be just that, too much; Drink responsibly.
