All About Caffeine
By Tia Chakrapani ‘27
Image courtesy of Tia Chakrapani
In September 2022, 21-year-old Sarah Katz suffered a fatal cardiac arrest a few hours following the consumption of Panera Bread’s “Charged Lemonade.”
“Charged Lemonade” is a highly caffeinated beverage with 390 mg of caffeine. To put this in context, this is close to the 400 mg maximum daily recommended by the FDA for a healthy adult. The recommended amount for 12-18 year olds is 100mg or less.
Although Katz’s case is an example of the worst-case scenario, there is data to show that even moderate caffeine intake can have adverse effects on children and adolescents. This recent tragedy has brought the health risks associated with caffeine to the forefront of the public’s attention. The health issues surrounding caffeine have sparked debate on Catlin Gabel School’s (CGS) campus concerning the free availability of caffeinated beverages in our cafeteria, the Barn.
According to The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, the short-term adverse health effects of caffeine can include anxiety, sleep disturbance, elevated heart rate, blood pressure, and acid reflux, and the long-term effects can include addiction and withdrawal symptoms. Of special importance to children and adolescents is the fact that the full extent of caffeine’s impact on the developing brain, cardiovascular system, and nervous system is unknown.
The Campus Health Team is currently discussing the types of drinks available in the Barn, “some of which contain high levels of caffeine,” Yokomizo said. Offering these drinks to people under the age of 18 goes against recommendations by the CDC, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the FDA because of the potential adverse side effects.
They are currently discussing the types of drinks available in the Barn, “some of which contain high levels of caffeine” Yokomizo said. These go against recommendations by the CDC, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the FDA for people under the age of 18 because of the potential adverse side effects.
There are many caffeinated drinks in stock at the Barn. The beverage selection includes coffee (containing 80-100mg of caffeine), tea (30-90mg), Celsius (200mg), and Yachak (165mg). These are available to both Middle School and High School students. The amount of caffeine in each serving is not readily apparent when purchasing the drinks at the Barn, making responsible caffeine consumption difficult.
Yokomizo and the Campus Health Team are still considering how they will address this issue at CGS, whether it will be a fully restrictive ban, a partial restriction, or better communication to students on the amount of caffeine they consume.
“Campus Health has not made a final decision and would like to reach out to Catlin Gabel Student Administration(CGSA), the Risk Management team, and SAGE Dining Services (SAGE) for input,” said Yokomizo.
Caffeine can be a dangerous and addictive substance, especially for children and adolescents. Still, many students rely on it to get through the day and aid them in the occasional all-nighters that are needed to finish homework and study for tests. It is what keeps them alive.
“I stay alive with my cawfee (sic), this ban will RUIN our society!!” ninth-grader
Atharva Deepak commented on a petition to keep caffeinated beverages in the Barn initiated by CGS senior Carter Alfrey.
Caffeine plays a vital role in the morning routines of many students and teachers. “This ban would mean the end of easily accessible energy that I rely on to keep me powered for the normal school day,” said Deepak in an interview.
Although caffeine in excess can be dangerous, no one doubts caffeine’s ability to provide a boost of energy. For many, it is the energy they need to stay productive during a long five-class day.
“We believe that allowing the sale of such beverages will contribute positively to our overall well-being and productivity,” said Alfrey.
Recent studies indicate that individuals who drink caffeine are less likely to succumb to major causes of death such as coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes, kidney disease, and other benefits. This demonstrates that drinking coffee in moderation may make you live longer than people who reach for decaf. Not only does caffeine have physical health benefits, but it also has social benefits.
A recent study published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology revealed that individuals who consumed a moderate amount of caffeine before engaging in group activities were more active participants and rated their performance and the performance of their teammates more favorably compared to groups where participants did not consume caffeine.
“My suspicion is that also here participants who drank caffeinated coffee just felt better about themselves and the whole group due to the mood- and sociability-enhancing effects caffeine has,” said Nadia Faber, a researcher in experimental physiology at Oxford University.
In other words, caffeinated drinks may be pro-social drinks that make us feel better about ourselves and others. These social benefits hold significance for CGS students. Alfrey said, “The availability of caffeinated beverages in the cafeteria can provide an opportunity for our community to engage in social interactions and informal networking.”
Students have offered many strategies the administration could implement to ensure CGS students use caffeine safely.
Alfrey argues for the beneficial use of caffeine with responsibility, asserting that a complete ban is unnecessary. He suggests, “The introduction of caffeinated drinks should be accompanied by clear communication and education regarding responsible consumption.”
This would ensure that CGS will do its due diligence in educating students on healthy caffeine consumption.
“Everything in moderation is a complete doctrine I follow; trust me, it does wonders,” said Deepak. These adverse side effects come from overconsumption, but research has shown that caffeine can be beneficial in moderation
Regardless of what the Campus Health Team and the CGSA decide, it is important for students who are interested in drinking caffeinated beverages to know both the drawbacks and benefits of caffeine. With this knowledge, they can make informed decisions on what is best for them. In short, if you want to consume these drinks, please do your research and enjoy the super-drug caffeine safely!