The Daily Grind

Are you a simple, classic Diet Coke kind of girl? Or are you more of a double-non-fat-extra-caramel-macchiato type? Either way you take it, caffeine often seems to be the only thing keeping collegiettes running these days.   
27% of us 18-to-24-year-olds rely on caffeine every day, according to a Mintel study group. And up to 40% use caffeine to improve concentration on schoolwork.

Whether coffee, or other caffeinated drinks, is the only thing that gets you out of bed, or you rely on it only occasionally, the perk-me-up benefits can’t be denied.  

It helps with those mornings after a late night of studying in Mugar or helps you power through the last pages of your paper that is due tomorrow (or through a Friday night). It gives you an opportunity to meet up with your friend at Espresso Royale, and beats the occasional nod-off in lecture.

And with an assortment of Starbucks, Dunkin’ Donuts and cafes scattered around campus, you don’t have to travel far to get your fix. A few on-campus locations even let you buy your java using BU points. It’s easy, it’s tasty and it’s accessible—but here comes the age old question: is it good for you?  

Yes and no, experts say.  Ever ordered a ventionly to feel nervously hyper? Drinking too much caffeine can cause your heart rate and blood pressure to rise, making you feel anxious and jittery. It can also make it harder for you to fall and stay asleep at night—who needs more time chipped away from our precious hours of sleep? Perhaps most seriously, caffeine comes with the risk of addiction.

If you are like me, who might as well have a “don’t speak to me until I’ve had my coffee” sign on my forehead, you can’t deny the pounding headache and irritability that accompany a lack of caffeine.  If you don’t have your drink everyday at a certain time, you just feel completely miserable. These withdrawals tell you the bad news: you’re addicted.

That said, your afternoon latte is far from evil. Caffeine intake is proven to improve alertness and concentration. It can put you in a better mood, and if you sip before a work out, it can even improve your athletic performance. The key, as it seems is the case with most things, is moderation. 

Doctor’s suggest around 200 mg of caffeine a day, which works out to be around two 8-ounce cups of coffee. Some of you may not even be aware of how much caffeine you are consuming. It lurks in soda, tea, and energy drinks. Being aware of that number can allow you to monitor how much you are drinking, so as to get all the perky benefits, but avoid all the jittery side effects.  

So, fellow coffee-lovers, breathe as sigh of relief: you don’t need to swear off Dunkin’ Donuts entirely. Feel free to reach for a cup o’ joe before an all-nighter or a FitRec sweat session—just make sure you don’t down the whole coffee pot!