Coffee is awesome, and nobody knows this better than college students. Between classes, homework, social lives, and sleep, coffee appears the best solution to any fatigue or lack of focus we experience on a day-to-day basis. If you’re looking for reasons to retain those positive views on your favorite beverage—and reasons to stay cautious of overconsumption—you’ve come to the right place.
The Good
Energy and Focus
Sleep deprivation and lack of proper time management riddle the college life. When you find yourself stumbling to class in a heavy fog, take a few swigs of coffee. The caffeine will heighten vigilance, energy levels, and mood, making sure you start off the day on the right foot. Many studies also show that coffee consumption improves overall cognitive function, including reaction times, memory, and focus. What's up, ChemLab?
Antioxidants
Never have time for the gym? Exercise sucks? Never fear! Research has long suggested coffee’s high levels of antioxidants can lower the risk of Type 2 Diabetes, weight gain, and heart disease. While an active lifestyle is always beneficial, those who skip the gym can minimize that loss with antioxidants found in coffee, tea, and fruits and vegetables.
Liver Benefits
Alcohol is a prevalent trait of most college campuses. For those who partake in the indulgence, your liver may not have as many adverse effects with a daily dose of coffee. One study showed a lowered risk for alcoholic cirrhosis by 22% from moderate consumption. For students who don’t drink, coffee has still shown to reduce risk of liver cancer by an average of 40%. Whatever your drinking habits, any assistance for your liver is welcome and coffee is a fine way of showing some love.
The Not So Good
Dehydration
Coffee drinkers are not the only ones who forget to drink enough water, but they are more susceptible to dehydration. Some of the most common consequences are irritability, anxiety, and lack of focus. Dehydration is also the main cause of kidney stones, and trust me, you don’t want those. Make sure coffee doesn’t replace your daily intake of water, and you should be fine.
Addiction
Coffee addicts are a notoriously proud breed, but too much coffee can definitely put a damper on the enthusiasm. Restlessness, insomnia, rapid heartbeat, and muscle tremors result in overconsumption, while withdrawal can reflect symptoms of other addictive drugs. As in most areas of life, moderation is key. Try to stick to one or two cups per day, and if that's not possible, be sure to keep an eye on your body's response.
The Hangover Myth
Sometimes, a good party is its own reward--your liver and pounding headache might beg to differ the morning after. Contrary to popular belief, coffee will not cure a hangover. Although it is a vasoconstrictor and can relieve your headache by decreasing the size of blood vessels, dehydration becomes even more of an issue and worsens the hangover. Your best bet is water, a good breakfast, and sleep.
All in all, coffee is a great addition to a healthy diet and routine. It’s delicious, nutritious, and a far better choice than energy drinks and sodas. Best of all, with coffee as the world’s second most traded commodity after petroleum, coffee lovers don’t have to worry about it going away anytime soon. Just don’t overdo it :).
