Millennials and coffee: A complex relationship to explore

By Arni Goja 

The millennial generation is often described as stressed, blessed, and coffee-obsessed. In the present, almost everyone drinks coffee. Some of them may be addicted to it, but many others are not. Coffee works temporarily by blocking the sleep signal (adenosine) from its receptor sites in the brain. The chemistry and physical characteristics of a person’s brain change over time when they consume caffeine regularly. The brain attempts to maintain equilibrium by growing more adenosine receptors in brain cells. This tricks the brain into thinking you have just woken up after a nap, giving you a pleasant feeling of alertness. It is possible to become addicted to coffee and other caffeinated beverages quite quickly.

Caffeine adversely affects insulin sensitivity and impairs glucose tolerance, which can lower the risk of Type 2 diabetes. Additionally, coffee’s antioxidant properties protect and fight against free radicals in your body. Studies have found that those who consume coffee have a 25% lower risk of premature death than those who don’t. Drinking coffee is associated with a 30% lower risk of developing prostate cancer in men and an 18% lower risk of developing endometrial cancer in women. Coffee can reduce the risk of cancer.

Despite its many positive aspects, caffeine also has many negative facts. In the long run, it can cause serious insomnia because it blocks
sleep-inducing chemicals in the brain. Feeling jittery and anxious from coffee can be caused by the adrenaline it releases. Drinking excessive amounts of coffee can lead to negative side effects.

In 1999-2000, coffee accounted for 10% of caffeine intake in children aged 2-16 years old, but this figure more than doubled to a whopping 25% by the year 2000. Thus, it is not incorrect to suggest that many children today are dependent on caffeine. Teenagers studying at night consume caffeine with the perception that it will boost their memory and help them stay awake. The implications of caffeine consumption on sleep and learning may be more significant for students’ academic success than the perceived benefits of it.

In conclusion, caffeinating-filled determination plays a significant role in the education system, affecting more than half of students.