Caffeine as a Cure: An Argumentative Essay on The Medicinal Benefits of Drinking Coffee for College Students
A brief overview on the neurophysiology of caffeine, and the health benefits of drinking coffee opposed to other energy drinks.
"Each benefit of coffee perfectly caters to the demanding needs of university students."
College students are stretched thin, wracked with stress. Students are tasked with balancing social, emotional, and educational responsibilities, which is why most depend upon caffeine. Coffee provides many benefits beyond an energy boost: it is a natural stimulant, can help relieve mental and physical health disorder symptoms, and increases productivity. Each benefit of coffee perfectly caters to the demanding needs of university students.
Caffeine is the world's most popular drug, and on campus almost every student can be seen holding a caffeinated beverage. 70% of Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) students turn to caffeinated beverages to keep up with their daily tasks (Godsen). As an undergraduate at IUPUI, I am no stranger to the dependency on caffeine to keep up with balancing my course load, personal life, and job. As a nursing student, I have studied neurotransmitters and the workings of our brains. However, I wanted to dive deeper into how caffeine affects our physiology. Caffeine acts as a natural stimulant of the central nervous system, affecting brain function. A stimulant essentially speeds up the transmission of messages between the brain and the body.
In a research study done by neurosurgeon Dr. Brian Fiani and colleagues, it was found that caffeine “did play a role in enhancing processing speed." Caffeine acts against the adenosine receptors that make one sleepy. It binds to the adenosine receptors in our brain, which blocks adenosine from binding to its receptor. “The blockage of adenosine receptors indirectly affects the release of neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine, dopamine, acetylcholine, serotonin, glutamate, and gamma-aminobutyric acid” (Fiani). The increased release of these neurotransmitters increases alertness, and cognitive function. I, along with the majority of IUPUI students on campus, am familiar with the effects of caffeine on the brain. We are dependent on caffeinated beverages to get through our days, but this dependency is not completely negative. Consuming coffee leads to increased productivity and brain function among college students to get the most out of their education.
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Survey results of IUPUI students when asked how much caffeine they think college students drink daily
"We are dependent on caffeinated beverages to get through our days, but this dependency is not completely negative."
Coffee, because of the increased release of serotonin and dopamine, can help relieve symptoms of mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter, “a chemical in your brain that plays a role in pleasure, motivation, and learning” (AMA). According to the Harvard School of Public Health, “a moderate caffeine intake of less than 6 cups of coffee per day has been associated with a lower risk of depression and suicide” (Harvard). This was based on a study where non-coffee drinkers were compared to those who drank 2–3 cups daily. The coffee drinkers were at a 43% lower risk of being suicidal.
In addition, the release of serotonin stimulated by coffee can act as a natural way to decrease symptoms of anxiety. Most anxiety medications inhibit the re uptake of serotonin, which increases the amount of serotonin left in the body. It is commonly thought that coffee increases anxiety. This is because in a mentally well individual, the norepinephrine released activates the “fight or flight” response. However, for those with anxiety, it can actually provide a calming effect.
In a paper published via contemporary reviews in neurology and neurosurgery, Dr. Brian Fiani and colleagues agree, saying that the caffeine in coffee has been “found to lower the consumer’s anxiety levels and improve their hedonic tone when consumed in small doses" (Fiani). Hedonic tone describes a person's ability to feel pleasure, meaning that caffeine increases this ability and can give someone a more fulfilling life.
According to the National Education Association, there is a mental health crisis on college campuses as “the majority of college students (more than 60 percent) meet the criteria for at least one mental health problem” (Flannery). The most prevalent mental health disorders among college students include depression and anxiety. The NEA also reports that "specifically, 44 percent of students reported symptoms of depression; 37 percent said they experienced anxiety.” Coffee is a natural remedy for the prevalent mental health issues on college campuses across the country, improving students' mood and overall well-being.
It is important to choose a coffee that is best suited to each person's preferences and needs. There are many different types of coffee, including:
-light roast
-medium roast
-dark roast
-espresso
-decaffeinated
From the list of blends, the possibilities of creation are endless. Roasted coffee, regardless of the roast, all contain around 80–100mg of caffeine. One shot of espresso contains 64mg. For reference, a grande from starbucks has three shots of espresso, adding up to a total of 194mg. Espresso is not its own bean, it is a strategy of preparation where the beans of a certain roast, typically dark, are grinded very finely which increases the surface area. Then, water is pressed over the fine grounds at a high pressure, giving it a greater level of caffeine and a bolder flavor.
The image to the right shows some of the traditional ways to create an espresso based coffee drink. With the growth of the industry of gourmet espresso drinks, more combinations and creations are becoming available. Both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee contain beneficial compounds such as vitamin B2 and B3, magnesium, potassium, and antioxidants.
"The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends a safe daily dosage of 400mg of caffeine for adults"
In large quantities, caffeine can have profound negative effects. Drinking excessive amounts of coffee can, in some cases, worsen anxiety and insomnia. When caffeine intake is not continued, it can cause one to go through withdrawal. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends a safe daily dosage of 400mg of caffeine for adults, depending upon how fast each individual is able to metabolize it. Going above the recommended amount can cause an overdose and seizures.
According to the American Medical Association, it is wise to avoid energy drinks as a method of caffeine intake. Dr. Devries, cardiologist and executive director of the Gaples Institute in Chicago, told the American Medical Association that caffeine has heart health risks. He says that energy drinks are a supplemental form of caffeine that promotes anxiety and unsafe behaviors, especially in adolescents. He says how “High blood pressure, [heart] palpitations, and arrhythmias are other possible risks with high intake" (Berg). However, the Harvard School of Public Health presents evidence suggesting that regularly drinking coffee can lower one's risk for heart disease or stroke. “Among 83,076 women in the Nurses’ Health Study, drinking 4 or more cups of coffee each day was associated with a 20% lower risk of stroke compared with non-drinkers” (Harvard).
There was also a positive connection between decreased stroke risk and decaffeinated coffee consumption, at about half the percentage of caffeinated coffee. The risks associated with caffeine consumption mostly apply to overconsumption or intake in supplemental form. To receive full benefits from caffeine without the damages, it is best to drink coffee as opposed to energy drinks, and stay below the safe amount of 400 mg. Caffeine, when consumed safely and moderately, promotes the highest level of well-being.
The majority of college students rely on caffeinated beverages, but coffee provides the most overall benefits and is a lower health risk. Unlike most energy drinks, coffee provides many benefits beyond an energy boost. It is a natural stimulant, and can help relieve symptoms of mental and physical health disorders. Students should make the switch from energy drinks or similar beverages to drinking coffee instead. This way, students can maximize the benefits they receive from their daily drink. To find local Indianapolis cafes fit for college students like myself, click on the walking coffee cup to view some of the shops I’ve visited throughout the school year.
"The release of serotonin stimulated by coffee can act as a natural way to decrease symptoms of anxiety"
