Whether it is a homemade latte or an espresso from Starbucks, amber-stained coffee cups clutter students’ desks in nearly every classroom. Coffee has become a staple of student life — in the mornings during last-minute cramming sessions, during school to stay awake during classes or late at night to power through homework. Although coffee offers short-term benefits like alertness and energy, it also leads to many negative health effects, particularly on the teenage body.

“In the morning, I have the habit of waking myself up by having a cup of coffee,” junior Angelina Antony said. “I get tired after school when I’m doing work, so I just drink another cup. In the worst-case scenario, at seven, I’ll have another one. [I’ve noticed that] my eyes twitch a lot and shake a bunch, and sometimes I can’t sleep at night.”

Routine caffeine intake can cause long-term effects on physical health. Caffeine stays in the body for several hours before metabolizing, often disrupting sleep patterns by blocking receptors to the chemical adenosine, which regulates sleep and wake behavior. With decreased levels of adenosine, people become more stimulated and energetic. However, sleep deprivation caused by caffeine can create a cycle of dependency on coffee to compensate for the lack of rest.

“At first, [coffee] was working pretty well,” sophomore Colin Li said. “I stayed awake and I was able to pay attention, but I feel like over time, the effects kind of diminish. It still does keep me awake, but it doesn’t really help my attention span. I’m also more nervous and more anxious.”

Beyond sleep issues, studies show that caffeine intake may result in involuntary muscle contractions, including in the eyelids. Drinking excessive amounts of coffee also leads to increased blood pressure and heart rate, as well as a higher chance of developing cardiovascular disease in the future. 

To mitigate these risks, upper school nurse Tiffany Gelineau advises students to gradually reduce caffeine consumption, as abrupt changes in intake can cause withdrawal symptoms.

“My recommendation is just one cup of coffee, just straight up coffee,” Gelineau said. “No shots or anything like that because that [makes it] really concentrated. Just dilute it over the day, maybe with ice or milk, because caffeine headaches do happen if you don’t have it within a certain time.”

Coffee orders from popular stores like Starbucks and Dunkin’ often contain more caffeine than people realize. A typical 16-ounce Blonde Roast from Starbucks contains 360 milligrams of caffeine, while a 20-ounce Dunkin’ Coffee has 270 milligrams. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends solely 100 milligrams of caffeine intake for teenagers 12-18 years old per day. As the school year becomes busier, students need to start managing the amount of caffeine they digest on a daily basis and watch out for the consequences that follow.

In place of coffee, registered dietitian nutritionist Amy Archer suggests that students can consume healthier alternatives that provide the same energy boost.

“The question to ask is, ‘Why are you taking caffeine?’” Archer said. “Want a warm beverage, try an herbal tea. For energy and focus, I recommend eating a whole foods diet with adequate protein and fruits and vegetables. It’s especially important to eat an adequate breakfast with protein.”