Caffeine: Harmful or Beneficial? You Decide

By: Erica Boshnack

According to current research, 90% of adults and male teens as well as 76% of children consume caffeine. On average, people consume about 200 to 300 mg of caffeine (about 2 to 3 cups of coffee) per day (J.G. Hunter, Clemson University). All kinds of myths are floating around these days, some saying that caffeine is good for you, and others saying it is bad. We’ll let you decide for yourself…

Pros
- Fights fatigue
- Boosts physical endurance
- Enhances mental abilities and coordination
- Enhances mood
- Helps to prevent gallstones, cavities, type II Diabetes, and Parkinson’s disease
- Reduces headache pain
- Decreases asthma attacks
- Treats breathing problems in babies

Cons
- May cause withdrawal symptoms
- May interfere with sleep and possibly cause insomnia
- May cause nausea and vomiting in combination with alcohol
- May interfere with other medications
- Consuming while pregnant may cause low birth weights in babies
- May interfere with iron absorption
- May contribute to irregular heartbeat

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