In order to maintain a balance between homework, extracurriculars and social activities, many high schoolers deprive themselves of sleep. As a result, students feel tired throughout the day and struggle to focus. In order to keep up with all of these obligations and prosper academically, high schoolers need to be alert and attentive. Therefore, CHS should make coffee available in the cafeteria and vending machines for purchase. When consumed in moderation, coffee benefits a student’s academic performance and mental wellbeing.
Though there are some people who drink coffee solely for its rich taste, many students drink coffee because caffeine drives away fatigue and thus allows them to pay better attention in class. In fact, researchers at Seoul National University discovered that merely being exposed to the aroma of coffee reduces the effects of sleep deprivation. Furthermore, drinking coffee not only makes you more alert, but it can also increase your intelligence.
“When [one is] sleep-deprived and takes caffeine, pretty much anything you measure will improve: reaction time, vigilance, logical thinking,” said TIME reporter Michael Lemonick.
Coffee is scientifically proven to make people feel happier. In a study done by the National Institute of Health, people who drank unsweetened coffee were 10 percent less likely to be depressed than those who do not drink coffee. Also, according to a study done by the Harvard School of Public Health, drinking coffee daily can reduce the risk of suicide in men and women by about 50 percent. In high school, many students compromise their mental health in order to live up their obligations of being the perfect student, athlete or friend. In fact, according to a survey by Teen Help, one in five teenagers experiences depression before reaching adulthood. By allowing coffee to be sold on campus, schools can indirectly contribute to students’ mental well beings.
Many claim that caffeine stunts growth or causes hyperactivity. However, these effects can be avoided by simply drinking coffee in moderation. In fact, coffee actually yields many long-term benefits to a person’s health. According to a study by the American Society for Nutrition, coffee is actually the biggest source of antioxidants in the western diet, outranking both fruits and vegetables combined. At the University of California in Los Angeles, researchers found that increased coffee intake can also lower a person’s risk of Type II Diabetes by 11 percent.
“Coffee can be the best thing in a high school student’s life, whether it’s three in the morning and they’re trying to finish an essay or six in the morning and they’re trying to stay awake for school,” said junior Leonie Strehl.
After taking these points into consideration, anyone can recognize the many benefits of drinking coffee, including its contributions to a person’s happiness and overall health. Therefore, coffee, in moderation, would be a beneficial addition to the CHS cafeteria.