Caffeine consumption has become a massive part of many students’ day to day lives at Roosevelt. Most students use caffeine filled drinks to help them get through their busy and long school days. From coffee to energy drinks, it’s obvious that the youth have a strong relationship with caffeine, relying on it to maintain energy levels and improve performance.

Senior Chima Amadi explains that caffeine “makes my workouts easier and really gets my heart pumping,” showing how many students use it as a tool for physical energy. With caffeine use becoming so widespread, it’s important to take a look at how it affects students’ lives, both positively and negatively. Despite the temporary energy boost caffeine provides, it can have several negative effects when consumed regularly in larger amounts. Research shows that over 600mg of caffeine a day can lead to reduced bone mass and can negatively impact your sleep schedule. Not only that, but it can also increase anxiety, stomach acidity, and cause high blood pressure, which can be concerning for students already dealing with things like stress or existing health issues. Senior Kaden Ezzell admits that caffeine has become so essential to his daily life that he “honestly can’t function if I don’t have at least one monster (energy drink with caffeine) throughout my day.” This dependence on caffeine is not unique to just Ezzell, a lot of students experience similar feelings of reliance for caffeine. The addiction rates for caffeine in teenagers are scarily high, with 85.8% of teens consuming caffeine regularly, a figure that rises as they get older.

While caffeine can improve alertness, energy, and concentration, it’s important to consider its long term effects on the health and well-being of students. For other students, like 11th grader Xander Adona, caffeine is necessary for helping him sustain energy through his long days, saying it “not only helps me perform better when running, but it keeps me energized even until the end of my workouts.” All in all, caffeine has a mixed impact on students at Roosevelt. While it certainly offers some benefits in terms of energy, focus, and performance, its potential downsides cannot be ignored. Excessive consumption may lead to serious health consequences like poor sleep, increased anxiety, and even heart problems.

It’s essential for students to be mindful of how much they rely on it, ensuring that they balance their need for a quick energy boost with their overall health and wellness. Understanding both the positive and negative effects of caffeine will help students make more informed decisions about their daily habits, fostering a more sustainable approach to their routines.