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Abigail Jaquish

Professor Leonard

English 1201.2V7

6 May 2022

How Is Caffeine Consumption Affecting Consumers?

I have always enjoyed a steaming cup of coffee in the morning. For a long time now, it

has been one of my little pleasures of the day to enter the kitchen and find the coffee brewing,

filling the surrounding rooms with its rich aromas. Being raised in a family of coffee-lovers, I

naturally inherited my own love for the beverage; I realized, however, that my love for coffee

ends where its caffeine content begins. This realization made me curious as to why other people

drank coffee. Was it because of the caffeine, or a much simpler reason such as the flavor?

Thinking further about this topic, I began to wonder how caffeine affects people who drink it,

what the benefits and risks were, and why people chose to consume caffeinated beverages so

often.

In recent years, the consumption of caffeine has risen significantly both through

caffeinated beverages and certain caffeinated foods. An article on several topics all relating to

caffeine writes that the caffeine compound can be found in multiple different species of plants,

listing specifically that “cocoa beans, kola nuts, tea leaves and coffee beans are the most well-

known” (“Sources of Caffeine-Coffee and Health”.) Also mentioned in the same article are

several other natural products that caffeine is commonly found in, such as guarana berries and

yerba mate. For many consumers, caffeine is popularly coffee, tea, soft drinks and energy drinks.

With the ways in which to digest caffeine being so broad, the question of consumers properly

limiting their intake has risen among several demographics. Why has caffeine become its own
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culture in many countries and how are consumers being affected by its content? This essay will

be addressing just how caffeine is affecting the consumer in various aspects which include

demographics, side effects, and impact on personal lifestyle.

At the mention of caffeine, many people immediately think of the classic hot cup of

coffee or tea that provides them with a little energy-boost for the day. For years, coffee has been

looked at as being the go-to drink for a quick pick-me-up, a little energy boost, or temporary

fight-off for drowsiness and fatigue. An article about coffee statistics in 2020 showed that 146

billion cups of coffee were consumed each year in the US alone, averaging around 400 million

Fig. 1. This chart shows the exact caffeine content that has recorded in the volumes of the

beverages listed above (Heckman M.A. et al.)

cups being consumed every day (Nikolovska.) In recent years, the consumption rates of coffee

have increased significantly; this has brought attention to the caffeinated beverage and caused

many studies to be conducted in terms of its consumption. FDA scientists released an article
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addressing this topic, listing their studied data and statistics on the daily caffeine intake. One

sections states, “For healthy adults, the FDA has cited 400 milligrams a day as an amount not

generally associated with dangerous, negative effects” (FDA.) The article makes note of what

too much caffeine can do for a person, writing that going over 400 milligrams a day, which is

approximately 4 cups of coffee, could cause negative side effects (FDA.) Earlier in the article,

the caffeine percentages in popular beverages were listed, including the following: soft drinks,

tea, coffee, and energy drinks. Respectively, their caffeine content had been listed as 30 to 40

milligrams, 30 to 50 milligrams, 80 to 100 milligrams, and 40 to 250 milligrams. Total caffeine

intake is not always kept under watch throughout the day of many consumers. For instance,

coffee drinkers are likely to not only have a cup of coffee in the morning, but also midafternoon

during coffee breaks and even at night simply because it is a warm and comforting drink. In their

recent article, the National Coffee Association (NCA) wrote that coffee has become more than a

simple energy-boosting drink to its consumers but has also begun to provide a sense of security

and comfort to people who drink it on a regular basis. For this reason, coffee has developed its

own “culture,” as it has begun to attract consumers for reasons besides its caffeine compound. A

short article discussing the background of coffee culture writes, “…coffee has become an

important part of societal norms…” (Coffee Is Culture), and names a few settings that have been

heavily accustomed to the presence of coffee. For example, the classic “coffee break” during

work hours, or the complimentary cup of coffee handed out to guests in the home. Furthering its

reputation for gaining a use in the aesthetic and culture of society, airlines often serve coffee as a

hot beverage to weary travelers, and cafes can be found as the feature of many tourist magazines

and guidebooks. This vast promotion of coffee has furthered its popularity and growth in

consumption rates. As the previously mentioned article suggests, drinking coffee has become a
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form of entertainment and taken on a key role in social events, exceeding its original purpose of

being consumed solely for its caffeine content. Although many still drink coffee for an energy-

boost, certain demographics choose to drink coffee for trendy purposes, or simply just to have a

hot beverage to sip.

In a study analyzing caffeine consumption and uses among college students, researchers

found that 92% of college students consume caffeine through various forms, however most

popularly coffee (Mahoney.) The study also stated that among the college student demographic,

women were found to consume a higher percentage of caffeine than other individuals. Mahoney,

the writer of the article, goes further in her research article with information on why caffeine

consumption among college students is high. Not surprisingly, most students (79%) consumed

caffeine to feel awake and receive an energy boost. Other reasons given for consuming caffeine

were as follows: 68% enjoyed the taste, 39% for social aspect, 31% to improve concentration,

27% to increase physical activity, 18% to improve mood, and 9% to alleviate stress. In addition,

it was also noted that the attraction of caffeinated products based on their forms depended greatly

on the demographics of the consumers (Ágoston et al.) A separate study conducted on the same

topic includes specific percentages of the consumed beverages: around 69.8% preferred to

consume in the form of coffee or tea, 27.1% in the form of soft drinks, such as Coke or Pepsi,

and 3.1% as energy drinks (Ranjith Raj et al.) While caffeine is often taken for practical purposes

such as energy-boosts or to fight off fatigue, many people have found themselves consuming

beverages and foods containing caffeine for other reasons. According to this article, college

students explained that they did find caffeine helpful for boosting energy or improving their

physical activity, however many admitted that their consumption of caffeine was due to slight

addiction (Ranjith Raj et al.) Other reasons were given during the survey, helping to prove the
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reality of increased consumption rates with caffeine and how those rates related to more than the

caffeine content of the beverages.

In terms of caffeine addiction, consuming extreme amounts of caffeine has also led to a

build-up of caffeine dependency for many people. Consumers often keep within the limit of

appropriate caffeine dosages throughout their day, not exceeding the recommended 400

milligrams. However, others who consume caffeine regularly and frequently build up a natural

tolerance for the compound. Once this tolerance occurs, the usual amount of caffeine content the

consumer is used to will no longer provide its effects “physiologically, behaviorally, or

subjectively”, as stated by Steven E. Meredith in his research article titled “Caffeine Use

Disorder.” The built-up tolerance overtime will often cause consumers to gradually increase their

intake of the substance, leading them into a dependency of the caffeine and instigating several

other health issues to arise. In response to caffeine’s potentiality to become an addictive

component or health crutch to its consumers, the World Health Organization (WHO) officially

labeled caffeine as a “drug”. The WHO publicly recognized caffeine dependency as a clinical

disorder, or specifically a mental disorder. According to a research article on caffeine use, the

disorder was explained in detail to develop from repeated and frequent over-use of the caffeine

component, negatively affecting the “behavioral, cognitive, and physiological health of a person”

(Meredith et al.) Uncomfortable or even risky health issues can be developed from the

dependency of caffeine and could consequence in both temporary and permanent health

problems. Like many drugs, over-dosing on caffeine is a possibility, if limiting consumption and

taking precautions are not practiced appropriately by consumers. Along with caffeine

dependency, there is also the potentiality of experiencing caffeine withdrawals.

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In an article addressing caffeine withdrawals by Karima R. Sajadi-Ernazarova, a

professor of emergency medicine, it asserts the variance in levels of seriousness withdrawals

could have on an individual, and affirms that although withdrawals are more commonly minor,

they could potentially pose significant threats to one’s health (Sajadi-Ernazarova et al.) The

article also states that many factors are involved in terms of withdrawals, including the variance

of individuals, the severity of the side effect occurring, and how minor or severe the pain of that

side effect is (Sajadi-Ernazarova et al.) Consumers who have eliminated caffeine from their diet

or those who have simply decreased their total caffeine intake usually experience the signs of

withdrawal between 12 to 24 hours. Along with the short absence of caffeine before withdrawals

begin, the withdrawals were stated in the article to potentially last up to nine days. Among the

numerous symptoms included in her article, Migraines, extreme fatigue, insomnia, and

depression are the most commonly recognized, however their levels of severity are known to

differ from individual to individual.

Because of the growing concerns of over-caffeinating, certain people have chosen to

completely avoid caffeine. Decaf coffee or caffeine-free beverages are the top choice of many

for this reason, as they can receive the same pleasures of their chosen beverage without the

concern of negative aftereffects. The previously mentioned term, “coffee culture,” relates here,

as it shows that for certain consumer demographics, coffee or other like beverages are chosen for

reasons besides their caffeine content, such as flavor and taste. An article that surveyed

individuals on their reasons for consuming caffeine writes that the most repeated answer among

the surveyed demographic was taste (Ágoston et al.) With coffee culture providing ulterior

motives for consuming caffeine (or even decaffeinated beverages), consumption rates of caffeine

through coffee have grown, showing a 40% consumer increase among a demographic aged under
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40 years old (NCA.) Concerns of over-caffeinating have slowly become more prominent because

of this consumption increase, with the side effects of too much caffeine intake coming to the

attention of many.

Referencing the previous article from the FDA, both minor and serious side effects have

been listed relating to over-caffeination. Insomnia, nausea, and headache were found to be

caused when too much caffeine was consumed, including several other side effects such as

dysphoria, depression, and increased heart rate. According to the FDA, more serious side effects

from highly concentrated caffeinated beverages have consisted of seizures, addiction (previously

mentioned), and even death. Consuming high dosages of caffeine has also led to a build-up of

caffeine dependency for many people, which could be the cause for caution with consumers.

Both mental and physical health have been shown to be affected by caffeine. Negative

and positive side effects have been recorded in several articles, many of which heavily debate if

the benefits outweigh the risks of caffeine consumption. Gregory Marcus (qtd. in “Search”)

comments that although coffee is such a widely consumed beverage, the effects it has on the

health of consumers is not well studied. As the article title suggests, scientists have provided data

supporting both sides of the debate: that consuming caffeine can pose both beneficial and risky

side effects on health and wellness.

The two benefits most universally known to be provided by caffeine is its ability to

mollify fatigue and increase energy, which are both major motives behind its consumption for

many. However, it also has been shown to provide several major physical benefits relating to the

health and overall wellness of a person. Many studies have drawn specific attention to the

positive effects caffeine consumption has had on heart health and its abilities to decrease the

likeliness of various heart issues occurring in certain individuals. Harvard Chan School of Public
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Health conducted a study on the effects of caffeine and cardiovascular diseases, finding that

among the over 80,000 women involved in the study, the risks of any cardiovascular disease

occurring was lowered by 20% when up to 4 cups of caffeine were consumed. The study also

found that this only applied when the caffeine was consumed through coffee and not through

other caffeinated beverages such as tea or soda.

When combined with other pharmaceuticals, caffeine has been found to increase their

effectiveness. One article writes, “Caffeine is often added to over-the-counter medicines such as

pain relievers, over-the-counter diet pills, and cold medicines” (Medlineplus.gov.) Over-the-

counter drugs such as aspirin and acetaminophen are often taken by mouth with caffeine to help

alleviate migraines and headaches. For certain conditions involving post-surgery headaches and

troubled breathing in newborns, caffeine has been FDA approved as an accessible prescription

drug.

Other health benefits such as being a preventative for certain cancers and diabetes were

also mentioned in an article posted by the American Heart Association (AHA). Gregory Marcus,

mentioned earlier in this essay, declares that by consuming caffeine daily and regularly,

consumers increase their physical activity which is the reason for the beneficial effects on heart

health. Marcus continues, noting that caffeine consumption (specifically coffee) can also be

connected to greater longevity. Even with the several health benefits the caffeine compound has

been found to provide, concerns about the negative side effects from its consumption still cause

people to be cautious with their intake of caffeine.

The negative aspects of caffeine have also been cited by many research articles. Three

common side effects often experienced from caffeine, even if taken in moderation, are insomnia,

increased heart rate, and anxiety. In reference to the benefits listed previously, consuming a
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caffeinated beverage daily could increase physical activity which is, for most people, beneficial.

While the addition of more exercise throughout the day seen as a positive side effect for people,

the regular intake of caffeine also resulted in less sleep every night. This was found to lead to

conditions such as insomnia and sleeplessness in many studies. Danielle Pacheco, a writer for

Sleep Foundation, wrote a recent article in March of 2022 on the chemical processes of caffeine

as it moves through the body, or more specially, how it affects the brain. A section in her article

states that,

“…caffeine blocks adenosine receptors. Adenosine is a sleep-promoting chemical that is

produced in the brain during our waking hours. Normally, adenosine builds up in the brain the

longer we’re awake. The more it builds up, the sleepier we become. When caffeine blocks this

process, we remain alert and vigilant” (Pacheco.)

Consuming caffeine once or several times throughout the day decreases the amount of

time your body has to completely work the caffeine through its system. As a result, the brain is

deprived of adenosine which is needed to provide us with proper sleep at night and for this

reason, many people avoid consuming coffee at night in order to receive a good nights’ rest.

Although the regular intake of caffeine should not affect this process in the brain to a great

extent, over-caffeination could cause sleep to be hindered and is therefore cautioned for causing

insomnia with certain consumers.

The other top two side effects listed were increased heart rate and anxiety. For both of

these side effects, they are found to be a result of the caffeine’s energy boosting properties. Many

labels on caffeinated beverages and foods caution use with consumers who have disorders like

anxiety, since consumption could potentially increase the disorder. In an article written about

caffeine in the diet, it writes, “The American Medical Association Council on Scientific Affairs
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states that moderate tea or coffee drinking is not likely to be harmful to your health as long as

you have other good health habits” (MedlinePlus.gov.) The article also contains a list of several

other health conditions, advising people who suffer from them to avoid consumption of caffeine.

Included in the list of health conditions were chronic headaches, irregular heart rhythms, high

blood pressure and proneness to stress, anxiety, or lack of sleep.

A fact that is often looked over in many cases is that caffeine is not necessary in the daily

diet of a person. Unlike vitamins or other dietary supplements, caffeine contains no known

nutritional content. Because it is simply used as a stimulant, or in some cases just a pleasurable

drink with no respect to its caffeine content, the lack of any dietary or nutritional value will often

go unnoticed by consumers. As one article writes, caffeine is purposed for stimulating certain

body functions, specifically involving the brain and nervous system (Medlineplus.gov), however

besides its energy boosting abilities, caffeine is noted by many scientists and researchers to be

void of any other nutritious content. For the consumers who take caffeine for reasons besides

receiving a boost of energy or some other caffeine-related reason, the absence of this nutritional

value is of little importance, however this matter is addressed by a caffeine related article where

it asserts, “Caffeine can cause nutrient depletion of important nutrients…” (Wolde.) The research

in the article also mentions the risk of excessive caffeine intake interfering with the body

absorbing necessary minerals and nutrients. Some health specialists caution consumers on this

subject, informing the general public not to use caffeinated beverages as a substitute for

nutritional foods.

Overall, caffeine has been found to provide both benefits and risks, depending on the

individual consumer. Like many other digestible substances and compounds, it is important for

consumers to be aware of how much their general intake is. This could mean close and
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meticulous monitoring for certain caffeine consumers prone to over-consumption of the

compound, or for others it could be as simple as taking mental notes of the amount of caffeine

consumed through food or beverages. Since caffeine is easily accessible and not generally

considered a clinical drug, its administration and monitoring are not kept closely under the watch

of health specialists, leaving the limitations of its consumption to the individual. Over-dose, then,

is probable, along with many other health issues directly connected to caffeine intake. However,

caffeine has, for the most part, been declared harmless upon its consumption unless taken in

extreme dosages. In terms of personal health and wellness, it is always good to know what is

going into your body and just how it can affect you in your life, short-term and long-term.
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Works Cited

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Caffeine Consumption Questionnaire (MCCQ) and Its Relationship with Gender, Age and

the Types of Caffeinated Beverages.” International Journal of Mental Health and

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www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6096549/, 10.1007/s11469-017-9822-3.

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“CAFFEINE: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and

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