Santa Rosa Junior College’s Student Health Services team teaches students about caffeine’s effects on mental health, anxiety and athletic performance. [Photo courtesy SRJC]
gained a 1.1% penetration growth. The global market for energy drinks in particular is forecast for expansion, at a compound annual growth rate of 6.8% per year. The size in 2024 was $9 billion, with sales for 2032 set to be $15.3 billion. Still, consumers are increasingly looking for decaffeinated options in this category. This is because of the health risks associated with high caffeine intake. Of all categories, coffee is the one to watch most closely. It is the primary contributor to caffeine consumption across all age groups. A 2022 study indicated new consumption patterns formed during the early phase of the pandemic. Data indicated approximately 66% of Americans drink coffee every day, a two-decade high. They consume coffee more than any other beverage including tap water. This number rose by close to 14% since January 2021, according to data from the National Coffee Association (NCA), the trade association for the American coffee industry. The NCA’s 2022 study also showed Americans increased coffee consumption away from home by 8% since January 2021. Consumption of espresso-based beverages, which are often made away from home, rose 30% since March 2020. Further, at-home consumption is up, with 84% of coffee drinkers consuming coffee at home in the past day, compared to 80% in January 2020. Even though consumers buy and consume caffeinated drinks, they do not always finish them. When a person says “enough” and puts a drink down, they have not consumed the full amount of caffeine in the drink. This is why North Bay doctors and nutritionists may advise patients to keep a food and drink journal. They can note what
type of caffeinated drink they had, when in the day they had it, and how much of it they finished. “When someone says ‘caffeine,’ that word means so many different things to me. It could be anything from a cup of unsweetened green tea to a can of cola,” says Palomarez. She adds that caffeine stimulates the central nervous system. “It can worsen anxiety and impair sleep, especially when consumed later in the day,” says Palomarez. Academic studies and hospitals typically suggest that adults should consume caffeine before noon, with a hard stop at 3 p.m. Factors like aging, ADHD are important The three North Bay counties—Marin, Sonoma and Napa—are the first, second and third oldest counties in the San Francisco Bay Area, according to data from the 2020 U.S. Census. Caffeine can have mixed effects for adults over 55. “[Caffeine] can provide a nice mental boost, but it also has the potential to disrupt sleep, increase anxiety and can make some heart conditions worse. Older patients should monitor intake more carefully as they may be more sensitive to its effects,” says Bateman. Caffeine can interact with several types of medications, including stimulants, blood pressure medications and antidepressants. Caffeine also has the potential to alter these medications’ effectiveness and cause side effects like increased heart rate. A person can expect concerns to develop if they use caffeine to cope with stress or fatigue because caffeine may increase these problems in the long run. Norwick says a patient can work
February 2025
NorthBaybiz 57
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