The Need for Caffeine – is it really a necessity?

The alarm clock rings loud, waking her from her perfect dream. Pressing snooze, she rolls over and tries to fall back asleep. Just as she slips into a peaceful slumber, the painful ringing brings her back to reality.

It’s six o’clock in the morning, and whether or not she wants to accept it, her workday starts in an hour and a half.

Pulling herself out of bed, it’s time to begin her daily routine. With tired, lagging feet, she stumbles over to the kitchen to grab a cup of her best friend: coffee.

This is how most weekday mornings begin for Ms. Birge. An employee at Sylvan Learning Center, her day begins as soon as she glides through the company’s front doors. Desperate to stay awake, focused and productive, she has come to rely on caffeine to make it through her day. When asked about her regular caffeine consumption habits, she smiles and says, “[I consume] it about three to four times daily.”

In America, a societal dependence on caffeine has increased and many face an unknown addiction to this popular stimulant. Although it may provide instant energy to consumers, there are devout caffeine fanatics who have no knowledge of the health effects, both good and bad, that come in each beverage.

For Ms. Birge, getting the recommended eight hours of sleep per night can be difficult, considering she’s a student at Lane Community College and working full-time to pay the monthly bills she incurs. Her days, long and busy, don’t offer much time for napping. To solve her problems, Ms. Birge turned to caffeine – mainly soda, energy drinks and coffee – because “when I drink coffee I am more energetic and can get things done.”

Although coffee is Ms. Birge’s favorite beverage, she has given into the Monster™ inside and consumed a few energy drinks. Unsatisfied with the sweet, syrupy taste, she turned back to her favorite: the classic cup-o’-joe.

Ms. Birge’s story isn’t uncommon, attests Ms. Wilson, a local nutritionist. “I think unfortunately caffeine masks so much of what is actually wrong or going on with the person,” she says.

Caffeine can easily camouflage the many effects lack of sleep can have throughout the day for students. A common problem prevalent on many campuses, students have learned to get from cup to cup, relying on each buzz to keep going. Ms. Birge says, “usually towards the end of the day, I’m really tired. I just want to go home and relax – not do anything.”

According to Ms. Birge, caffeine consumption is a personal choice. The ultimate responsibility of whether or not to grab some java lies with each individual.

While the effects of caffeine are not heavily broadcasted in America, people who are concerned could take the initiative and read books, blogs and other websites for enlightenment. Until then, consumers will have to pay the costs of caffeine overconsumption.

The body can build a tolerance to this stimulant, just as it can any other drug. Ms. Wilson mentions that increased consumption will lead to an increased tolerance, causing the consumer to require more caffeine to get the same amount of energy. Drinking multiple caffeinated beverages throughout the day can have lasting repercussions, especially for your teeth.

Mr. Jensen, a local dentist, says the main problem with caffeinated beverages is not the caffeine itself, but the fact that “these beverages also usually contain large amounts of sugar and the beverages tend to be acidic.”

Dentists agree that after consuming sugar, brushing your teeth is the best course of action. If brushing your teeth is difficult to do, as it often is when you’re in a rush, jetting off to the next class of the day, the next best course of action is to rinse with water. Without rinsing, sugar is left in contact with the tooth enamel for long periods of time, making teeth more susceptible to decay.

But even with access to all of this information, an estimated 50% of Americans still consume coffee.

In some areas, a “coffee culture” has been said to have developed. In the Pacific Northwest, especially, java joints have become a popular sight on nearly every street corner. Ms. Birge, who has lived in Oregon for over ten years, invites her friends on “coffee dates” to catch up on recent happenings. For years now, caffeine has made a daily presence in her life, and laughing she says, “Oh! It’s very addictive.”

For Ms. Birge, with her consistently busy schedule, withdrawal symptoms have become inevitable. “If I skip a day or two, I get headaches, I start shaking, and I just get really really tired,” she says, adding that she gets jittery on days when she doesn’t drink coffee.

In addition to the growing coffee culture, the invention and establishment of energy drinks has become a subculture of its own.  Since Red Bull’s introduction in 1997, the energy drink market has been growing exponentially, from about 8 million dollars in 2001 to a 3 billion dollar industry in 2005.

Mr. Lassi, a Red Bull representative, believes that just like the coffee culture, energy drinks have established a culture of their own.  Like coffee, people drink energy drinks for a wide variety of reasons ranging from the boost of energy they receive from it to the taste of the drinks.

Although the variety of uses energy drinks has been a major contributor to the rise in popularity, much of the credit for the industry’s growth has to go to the advertising department of these products.  Energy drinks are everywhere now, from the decals on racecars to sponsoring sporting events to even inventing events such as Red Bull’s Flugtag.

Regardless of your beverage of choice, experts say that while 200-300 milligrams of caffeine per day is a moderate dosage, it really only takes 100 milligrams daily to create an addiction. Considering some 5 ounce coffees have 115 mg of caffeine, it’s simple to see just how easy overconsumption is.

Is there a solution for the caffeine craze?

For many, brushing up on caffeine’s health effects may aid in the process of making an educated decision. For others, who are reliant upon the stimulant to make it through the day, it comes down to change. As a nutritionist, Ms. Wilson says the key steps are good exercise habits, good eating habits and good sleeping habits. Once good habits are formed, “they realize how much caffeine they were drinking or consuming, and that they don’t need to [consume] as much anymore because they’re able to stay awake.”

If change isn’t your forte, then it’s important to keep track of how much caffeine and sugar you’re regularly consuming. Making yourself aware of your dependence on caffeine will not only help your teeth, but perhaps your wallet as well.

For more information, watch the multimedia video previously posted.

The Need for Caffeine Multimedia Video

A short video our group made to highlight both the prevalence of caffeine and the consequences of overconsumption.

the need for caffeine poster

A poster to demonstrate just what our website is about:

Caffeine: Falsely Accused Villain?

By: Kris Cantrell

For far too long I’ve depicted caffeine* as villainous.  A few weeks ago I wrote about the dark side of caffeine–the potential headaches, heart problems and dehydration, but I neglected to shed light on the benefits of this drug.  According to a recent study by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine caffeine can help shift workers stay safe by decreasing errors while working during normal sleeping hours.  In addition, ScienceDaily.com has reported that caffeine can help prevent memory loss due to Alzheimer’s disease.  This is the kind of news that could wake up caffeine critics across the nation.

*Fortunately, caffeine may help prevent Alzheimer’s disastrous effects on families in the future.  At the current rate, every minute a new victim of Alzheimer’s disease is being diagnosed.  According to ScienceDaily.com, there are “Multiple beneficial effects of caffeine to normalize brain function and prevent its degeneration”.  This is great news considering the millions of Americans that struggle with this disease every day.  *According to the study, caffeine can help both prevent and reduce the harmful brain effects of Alzheimers disease.

Another benefit of caffeine is a little more obvious.  When most Americans are groggy or tired they reach for a caffeinated beverage.  This is no different amongst the 14% of Americans who* work at times when most of us are getting some shut-eye.  *When these shift workers consume some coffee, energy drinks, or any other form of caffeine, they are much more alert and produce less errors.

It’s obvious caffeine isn’t as villainous as its given credit for.  Joe Jenson, a local dentist, would have to agree.  “There isn’t particularly a problem with caffeinated beverages, it’s just that these beverages also usually contain large amounts of sugar,” he says.  Sugar is the real villain because it usually comes in a package deal with the caffeine.  If Americans would simply rinse their mouths with water after their next energy drink then they won’t be likely to see the harmful side effects of the sugar, not the caffeine.

So next time you reach for an energy drink or some coffee, don’t feel too guilty.  Your brain is giving you a pat on the back and as long as the drink isn’t highly concentrated with sugar, there aren’t very many reasons to give up the “cup of joe”.  Caffeine consumers rejoice.

Caffiene-ology

By: Tommy DeVoe

Caffeine has become a more and more important ingredient for the recipe of studying.  The days of power naps and study breaks have been replaced by coffee and energy drinks.  Caffeine provides an effective stimulant which allows users to retain alertness and energy, allowing them to study longer; but there is a fine line between effective alertness and anti-productive hyperness. “Studies have shown that caffeine works best when taken in smaller doses…[they] are much more beneficial then indulging in one large cup of coffee immediately.” (answers.com)

The primary reason caffeine is so widely used in conjunction with studying is due to the fact that it provides a shortly sustainable energy boost throughout a long night of cramming.

For example, Kevin Gambee, a junior at the University of Oregon, states, “I drink a soda when I am hitting a wall when studying in order to give me an energy boost in order to help refocus and regain alertness.”

Alertness is the biggest benefit from consuming caffeine.  Contrary to some beliefs, caffeine is no wonder drug.  It doesn’t give students a special power when it comes to studying or test taking.  Caffeine does not help your memory or mental capacity; rather its benefits stem from the physical benefits it provides.

Caffeine provides a energy boost, the benefits of alertness are not as long lasting as it may seem.  The after effects often times mitigate the positive effects that caffeine provided in the first place. “Using caffeine to force yourself into activity is like flogging an exhausted horse (pe2000.com),” is a metaphor that effectively sums up the process of using energy drinks to study.  The fact that we use caffeine as an energy boost to help us sustain our alertness may be productive when we are in a time of need.  However, the after effects end up making users feel even more exhausted and tired after the effects wear off.

Moderation is key when it comes to caffeine intake.  Dependent on weight, a moderate consumption would be considered around 80-100 milligrams of caffeine in a day, around 2 cups of coffee or a 12-16 ounce energy drink.  Excess intake can lead to caffeine dependency and addiction.

In the end, caffeine can be a useful supplement at midnight when studying for that 8 am midterm.  The alertness and energy are useful, but it is essential to use caffeine in moderation and not over-indulge.  In addition, the after effects of caffeine end up mitigating the short-term benefits in the long-run.  However, moderate intake and effective use of caffeine can be beneficial and productive when warranted.

A Competitive Edge?

By: Lindsay Walker

Students sluggishly wake up after having little sleep, somehow managing to attend class and then power through hours of homework only to get up and do it all over again. But what if that student were also an athlete? Add at least a couple hours every day practicing and mentally preparing for an upcoming game and memorizing the newest play.

Caitlin Smith-Staines, a rower at the University of Iowa says, “The boost from caffeine can be similar to the adrenaline rush from competing and some athletes find that the little extra nervous energy is just what they need to feel ready to perform at their best level.”

Caffeine offers many specific benefits to athletes of all kinds. T.E. Graham conducted a study for his book  Effects of Caffeine on Metabolism, Exercise Endurance and Catecholamine Responses and Withdrawal. Graham hoped his study would explain the effects of caffeine throughout the human body. The study involved six regular caffeine users and monitored them while they exercised until exhaustion.  During Graham’s double blind, placebo test, the athletes were given pills an hour before the exercise trial.  The results concluded that those people who received caffeine before the exercise performed more efficiently than those who received the placebo. This study shows the importance of caffeine in endurance sports like cycling, running, and soccer which require a great deal of physical stamina in order to compete successfully. His study also showed that caffeine has almost no effect on athletes who require bursts of energy, like sprinters and swimmers.

Caffeine has also shown to decrease fatigue in athletes, which is often a handy perk when it’s a tie game in the final quarter.

Not only does caffeine have a strong physical effect, it has been proven to stimulate the central nervous system as well.  According to Graham’s study, “Caffeine gives people a greater ability of concentration for 1-3 hours.  For athletes competing in sports where quick thinking and rapid reactions are necessary, caffeine can provide a huge edge.”  What college student wouldn’t want to have a greater ability of concentration for three hours?

It is important that an athlete refrain from caffeine four days prior their competition or sporting event.  This will allow for an athlete’s tolerance levels of caffeine to decrease, thus making the body susceptible to caffeine when consumed.  It is also important for athletes to understand their caffeine limit. 

Caffeine can give some athletes a competitive edge; but according to Caitlin who chooses not to consume caffeine before competing, “The NCAA does have strict rules about the levels of caffeine the athletes can have in their system so as not to create any possible inequality.”

The Pacific Northwest’s “Coffee Culture”

By: Kasandra Easley

“Skinny Vanilla Latte!” “White Chocolate Mocha!” “Americano!”

The shouts of baristas echo through crowded coffee shops, *filled with people anxious to get their coffee drinks of the day. There’s something familiar about the smell and taste of coffee. The rich aroma wafts through the bustling doors as traffic moves in and out of the shop, lingering into the streets of many cities as coffee shops are popping up anywhere and everywhere. There’s a coffee culture *throughout the country that is easy for those who aren’t even coffee connoisseurs to pick up on.

Katie Paul, a current University of Oregon student from Hood River, Oregon, has noticed the prevalence of these java joints throughout her home state. When asked about the Northwest’s self-coined ‘coffee culture,’ she says, “When I think about coffee culture or groups associated with coffee, I think of Seattle’s Best and West Coast college campuses.”

Because Seattle’s Best, Starbucks, Tully’s and other Washington-based coffee companies are most commonly associated with the Northwest’s coffee culture, some assume that Washington has the best beans to brew the best coffee. Lately though, many coffee fanatics claim the real leader of the coffee movement is Portland, Oregon.

*Regardless of the specific town that boasts the best brew, the Northwest region has become known for its enthusiasm for coffee. Driving along Interstate-5, there are hundreds of little coffee shops, tucked into old trailers on the side of the road that have popped up for Washingtonians and Oregonians alike. While the definition of “good” coffee is completely relative, tasting opportunities have become available in nearly any place at any moment.

But what about those who aren’t coffee consumers?

Katie, who doesn’t drink coffee says, “It’s really hard because there aren’t many choices [at coffee shops]. There are so many options for coffee, but nothing else. We don’t really have ‘tea-shops.’ We don’t have drink places except for bars and coffee shops.” She’s found that when friends want to hang out in these coffee-serving establishments, her favorite drink is an Italian Soda.

Making accommodations for non-coffee consumers like Katie will only strengthen the presence coffee shops have in the Pacific Northwest. The coffee culture in the region is supported by college kids desperate for an energy boost, professionals looking for something to get them through the workday and the coffee connoisseurs searching for the perfect roast to complement their mood.

It seems like the sight of hands filled with coffee cups will be a permanent staple in towns and cities throughout the Pacific Northwest. As the rain pounds the ground, the enticing scent and flavor of the favorite shop’s “house brew” is proving to be enough to keep people moving through the day.

Wednesday’s Improvements to the Blog Assignment

Lindsay Walker – I added the RSS Widget and linked our blog to a couple other blogs containing relevant information. Some are serious, some involve statistics and one is just really funny. (Pg’s. 92-93)

Kasandra Easley – Using pages 89-90 from the text, I added the Blog Subscription Widget so people can easily follow the new information we post.

Kris Cantrell- Using page 165 I added a cool widget that helps us put cool related sites on the side bar.  Eventually, we might want to put our blog roll sites there to give our viewers easier access to helpful links.

Tommy DeVoe- Using the widget information on pgs. 89-90 I found a “Search” widget that allows readers to search by keyword for topics that are covered in our posts.  This will help later on when we have more posts to quickly find information on a topic/theme.

Caffeine’s Effects

By: Kris Cantrell

Re-Edited 6/3/10

I know you’ve been there before. We all have. The clock shows 12:17 A.M. and you’ve just finished your first of three chapters due by nine A.M. class the next day. You’ll be lucky if you get four hours of sleep tonight. Here’s the problem: You were up the night before with the same objective in another class and you’re running on three or four hours of rest. What’s the solution? Caffeine. Enough caffeine to make an elephant tap dance. When you head to the local 7-11, do you ever stop to ponder the health effects of this caffeinated lifestyle?

The Fresh Prince once said, “Parents Just Don’t Understand,” and he may have been on to something. Parents may not understand that students today are seemingly more busy than ever. A lot of students are forced to balance a five class schedule, a 30 hour work week, an internship, extracurricular activities, and a respectable social life while still managing to get a few hours of shut eye. The result? An army of caffeinated college kids on campus. What kind of health effects could students be facing?

Caffeine mainly affects the central nervous system. Despite the typical awakening effect, caffeine can also cause some short-term side effects. Use of this energizing drug can cause restlessness, jitters, higher blood pressure, headaches, dehydration, increased heart rate, and possibly an uneven hearth rhythm. This is why doctors do not recommend caffeine use to patients with heart problems. In addition, caffeine can also contribute to stomach issues such as heartburn because it helps to release stomach acid.

FDA studies have shown that long-term users can become dependent on caffeine and build a tolerance towards it. The tolerance contributes to users feeling less energized by normal caffeine intakes. This tolerance is often paired with caffeine dependency that can cause withdrawals if caffeine is removed from a person’s diet. These withdrawal effects can include depression, extremely painful headaches, and crankiness.

Caffeine does have some gnarly side effects, but sometimes it’s a necessary evil. What’s going to keep you awake when you need to pull an all-night cram session before a final exam? Caffeine. What’s going to wake you up before an eight-hour work day? Caffeine. What’s going to have a few minor side effects? Caffeine. Like any over-the-counter, legal, stimulant, caffeine is a good form of energy to be used in moderation.

Caffeine does have some gnarly side effects, but sometimes it’s a necessary evil. * What’s going to keep you awake when you need to pull an all-night cram session before a final exam? Caffeine. *What’s going to wake you up before an eight-hour work day? Caffeine. *What’s going to have a few minor side effects? Caffeine. Like any over-the-counter, legal stimulant, caffeine is a good form of energy to be used in moderation.

The Rise in Energy Drinks-Advertising

By: Tommy DeVoe

Twenty-five years ago, the concept of an “energy drink” would have been known as something of the future, something the Jetsons would have in their fridge.  When Pepsi introduced its Jolt Cola, there was no knowing that twenty-five years later there would have been a multi-billion dollar business catering to the instant energy concept.

Even though the modern day “energy drink” didn’t start until Pepsi’s Jolt, the concept of a performance enhancing drink came to fruition in the sixties from University of Florida professors providing the Gator football team with a drink that would prevent dehydration. Even though Gatorade is not considered a modern day energy drink, it was the first drink to give us insight of what was to come.

In 2001, the energy drink business, which had been growing since 1997’s introduction of Red Bull, had amassed a retail value of almost eight million dollars.  This was just the beginning, as today the same business is known to be valued at nearly eight billion dollars.

Some of the biggest reasons for the enormous jump over the last ten years has to do with advertising and marketing associated with energy drinks.  With three hundred different energy drinks on the market now, products such as Red Bull, Monster, Rockstar, and Amp have to give credit to their marketing departments for their success as the leaders in the energy drink world.

Products like Red Bull have gotten to the top due to the creative advertising associated with the business. Today, Red Bull is synonymous for two different reasons—its prevalence in action sports and its advertising/marketing concept of “Red Bull gives you wings.”  Red Bull is advertised on the sides of Formula 1 racecars, Nascar cars, and seemingly on the helmet of every snowboarder, skier, and skateboarder on the planet.  Red Bull has even created its own extreme competition known as “Red Bull Flugtag.”

Advertising for these companies has expanded immensely since the market was created.  One of the places energy drinks have become greatly prevalent is on college campuses nation-wide.  Energy drinks have representatives on seemingly every college campus whose primary duty is to promote and create awareness for their brand.  For example, Riley Fike, a former Rockstar representative at the University of California-Davis stated his obligations,  “ I was responsible for promotions, sponsorship, and marketing of Rockstar product at UCD.  This involved: sponsoring parties, free sampling events, integrating with the local bars to host events, and spread Rockstar Energy Drink brand awareness.”

In today’s society, the energy drink business has turned into a monster of its own, worth nearly ten billion dollars.  The market growth has a great deal of thanks to lend to its advertising and marketing departments, as well as celebrities such as Shaun White, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Dave Mirra.  Sponsorship and advertising are only getting stronger for companies in the energy drink business and there looks like there is no slowing down.