Coffee to the Rescue

BY LISA RINO

On the run to class, probably late, book bag swinging over one shoulder, sweat droplets preceding down the forehead, IPhone in the left hand, textbooks in the other and… Wait, which hand will hold the venti iced caramel macchiato?

This is a typical scenario for busy college students who rely on coffee to get them through their day.

“I was never a big coffee drinker, but when I came to college I realized this is a thing that people do,” Monica Coniglio, a junior at Ramapo College says. “Now I get coffee two or three times a day without even thinking about it.”

Coffee Hot Spot

According to the latest National Coffee Drinking Study from the National Coffee Association, 40 percent of 18-24 year olds are drinking coffee each day.

 

Some of the big franchises around campus include Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts, as well as the Curtain Call Café, located inside the Berrie Center. Students drink about three to five cups a day, according to a majority of students here at Ramapo.

“I drink about three to four cups of coffee a day,” Ramapo College Student Sean Tracey says. “I get my first cup before I go to class, especially to get through the day.” A lot of students find that drinking coffee before class keeps them alert and awake, which comes from the sugar and caffeine.

Americans drink an average of 3.1 cups of coffee a day, and the average size of a cup is 9 oz.

According to National Coffee Drinking Trends 2010, National Coffee Association, about 65 percent of coffee drinkers drink coffee for breakfast and 30 percent drink it between meals.

The Cost of Coffee

According to Business Insider, Starbucks revenues about 10.7 billion in revenue, and has now expanded their brand into the supermarkets.

“I realized that a lot of my money goes to buying coffee.” Tracey says, when asked if he spends a lot on his usual cup. But beside the money and taste, is anyone concerned about the risks that come along with the hot drink?

Coffee: Risks vs Benefits

Research has shown that coffee has many health risks. Not only can coffee stunt the growth of a young adolescent, the drink can also increase levels of cholesterol. Two or more cups of coffee a day can increase the risk of heart disease.

Although there are many negatives to drinking coffee continuously, there are benefits to coffee that most people are unaware of!

Studies have shown that coffee may have health benefits, including protecting against Parkinson’s disease, type 2 diabetes and liver disease, including liver cancer. It also improves cognitive function and decreases the risk of depression, according to Mayo Clinic.

On Campus

While walking around campus, most students are holding a “Seattle’s Best,” or a “Starbucks” cup of their favorite coffee. The Curtain Call Café offers Seattle’s Best Coffee, which is owned by Starbucks.

Tracey says that he usually gets his coffee at the Curtain Call Café before class, or goes to a small deli near his house. No matter where it’s from, students need the caffeine.

“I get a Starbucks latte right after I go to Jersey Mike’s Subs for a sandwich,” Coniglio says, “and I reward myself with the coffee.”