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Illustration by Christopher Hernandez
Are we addicted to caffeine?
The Advocate
If you crave caffeine in your coffee or energy drinks to help get you through the day, you're not alone in this busy world full of deadlines and sleep deprivation.
According to the National Coffee Association, 68 percent of Americans say they're "hooked on coffee." What does that say for the other 32 percent? No one really knows.
At Mt. Hood Community College, there are close to 10,000 students enrolled each term, and the number continues to increase due to the economic turmoil that the country has been dealing with for a handful of years now.
That means an estimated 6,800 students are drink coffee at some point throughout the day.
Now consider this statistic: 65 percent of energy drink (Red Bull, Monster, Rock Star, Amp, etc.) users are in the 13-35 age group. The Mintel International Group, a market research firm, found out that since 2005, energy drink sales have increased 136 percent.
During an informal poll conducted over the past two weeks, The Advocate spoke with 153 students on campus to see where students were getting their caffeine. The survey indicated that 75 students (49 percent) prefer coffee for their boost and 36 students (23 percent) preferred energy drinks.
Forty-two students (27 percent) selected the "other" category: water, orange juice, milk, etc.
What are Mt. Hood students saying around campus?
• "Most days I drink in the morning," 20-year old student Bryan Crawley said of his coffee habits.
• "Mainly just water," 20-year old student Trina Shaw said. "I might go to Starbucks for a quick burst of caffeine (and) soda later in the day."
• "I usually drink in the afternoon," 45-year old student Angel Priest said of energy drinks. "Energy drinks at school, coffee on the way to school. I'm trying to avoid drinking them."
• "Sometimes I drink coffee in the morning," 18-year old student Edison Zhen said. "Usually just (with) breakfast."
In an interview conducted Wednesday night with Jody Babson, a registered dietitian from Mount Hood Medical Center in Gresham, she explained her experience in the research portion of her job.
"(When you) use in moderation, caffeine may help improve performance," said Babson.
Asked why she thought the use of caffeine as a pick-me-up is on the rise, Babson said, "The public is thirsty for health on the go."
She said that in excess, caffeine can interfere with normal sleeping patterns. When people have less sleep, they are often hungrier as well.
Babson suggested sleep, exercise, and healthy diet as better alternatives to boost your energy.
Many may not know an 8-ounce cup of black coffee contains no calories.
Comparatively, a 24-ounce can of Monster energy drink contains 324 calories from 16 teaspoons of sugar, and contains the same amount of caffeine as an 8-ounce cup of coffee.
"We shouldn't be drinking our calories unless it's a nutrient-dense beverage like 2 percent milk," said Babson.
"They (energy drinks) are marketed as having many benefits, many of which might not be proven," she said. "These on-the-go items further remove us from the idea of needing healthy options and sleep."
-Information was also gathered by John Tkebuchava
The Advocate reserves the right to not publish comments based on their appropriateness.