“In this world, nothing can be certain, except death and taxes.” These are two inevitabilities noted by none other than Benjamin Franklin. However, for approximately seventy-five percent of high schoolers, there’s one more: a dependence on caffeine. Many have become reliant on some source of caffeine to power through their everyday lives. While many theories regarding how consistent caffeine consumption can impact high schoolers, there’s no distinct answer on its complete effects on teen and adolescent development. Some believe that regular consumption of caffeine is detrimental to the health of high schoolers and is a costly liability, while others argue for its benefits in enhancing attention span and overall well-being.
In this article, we discuss the following question:
Is regularly consuming caffeine harmful for high school students?
| Support: Yes, regularly consuming caffeine is harmful to high school students. | Opposition: No, regularly consuming coffee can have a positive impact on high school students. |
| 1. Negative Health Effects Generally, teens and adolescents are recommended to only consume a maximum of one hundred milligrams of caffeine per day. That means that the average cup of coffee has around double that amount, and a can of a Celsius energy drink has 2.7 times that amount. An overconsumption of caffeine has been associated with various effects such as poor sleep quality—a problem that most high schoolers struggle with. More immediate effects include increased heart rate, headaches, and anxiety. Dealing with these effects on a regular basis may also have long-term consequences in the future, making extreme caffeine consumption dangerous to high school students. | 1. Improves Attention in Class Due to an abundance of homework and other commitments, students often stay up late, leading to drowsiness and fatigue in the mornings. Caffeine is a good way to boost one’s energy and mind, making it easier to concentrate and stay awake throughout the day. This can help students learn more as caffeine helps them stay awake and attentive, versus tired and struggling to stay awake, especially in classrooms that are often too warm and dark. While it is important to not overconsume caffeine, having one cup a day in the mornings can help with fatigue and be beneficial to students whose busy lives cut into their ability to get a full night’s rest. |
| 2. Costs Too Much Money Depending on your order, your average cup of coffee probably costs at least five dollars. If you buy one every school day, that’s twenty-five dollars a week, then one hundred dollars a month, which then equates to over a thousand dollars spent a year, solely on your caffeine addiction. That’s enough to buy a TV, an iPhone 16 Pro Max, or even go on a short vacation. The point is that a large sum of money that could be allocated towards a greater use, is instead going towards caffeine, which only damages your health and bank account in return. | 2. Possible Health Benefits While caffeine is commonly associated as a risk to one’s health, countless studies have shown that caffeine can provide people with health benefits. Studies have shown that drinking one cup of coffee per day can decrease the risk of diabetes, stroke, kidney disease, and coronary heart disease in women. Furthermore, a moderate intake of coffee can help with protecting the liver, as many coffee drinkers show a healthier enzyme range in their liver than non-coffee drinkers. Thus, a regular yet moderate intake of caffeine can actually be beneficial rather than detrimental. |