By Madison McManus
It’s not uncommon to see students toting around Starbucks cups or coffee thermoses at Ardrey Kell. In fact, it has become common practice. But is this “energy boost” an effective and safe combatant for early morning drowsiness, or is it worsening an already debilitating problem?
According to Health News, nearly 75% of children and teenagers drink caffeine daily, a statistic worrying many health professionals as it represents a direct link between sugar found in caffeinated beverages and obesity. Furthermore, excess caffeine intake can lead to insomnia, restlessness and muscle tremors, along with a multitude of other damaging side effects. Combine this with cereals that contain exorbitant amounts of high-fructose corn syrup and carbonated fruit juices, and some say that high school students are crafting a recipe for disaster. Yet others claim that there is a flip side to this concerned perspective.
According to Medical Daily, caffeine has its positives: it blocks the brain’s receptors that let you know you’re tired, keeping you alert and ready to learn at 7 AM. Caffeine has also been connected to the prevention of mentally degenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s. Although their retirement is the last thing on high schoolers’ minds, the temporary boost provided by coffee and energy drinks is a benefit that many would say outweighs the negatives.
So how are schools dealing with this rise in teenage caffeine consumption? In Texas, a Dallas-area high school recently became the fourth secondary school in the nation to feature an on-campus coffee house, called “Common Grounds.” The school’s sales reports indicate that the most popular beverages served at their in-house coffee shop are the drinks with the highest levels of sugar and fat. With more than 300 students making purchases at this school-sponsored Dunkin’ Donuts look-alike, many local parents are wary of keeping the shop in business. Yet some students and teachers claim to see positive results such as increased levels of alertness and focus in students, and many pupils claim that the coffee house provides them with an opportunity to increase their financial-management skills. In fact, some teachers see such positive results that they use gift cards to “Common Grounds” as incentives for their students.
Other schools have taken another route. Ardrey Kell High School does not permit students purchase caffeinated beverages on campus in any form. Of course, this does not prevent students from stopping at their local Starbucks for their morning jolt--which they are then asked to discard upon entry to school.
It remains to be seen whether caffeine in American schools is an innocent trend or a force that pulls high schoolers to the dark (roast) side.
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