In a World of Counter-Coffee, Count on These Drinks Instead

By Olivia Turner | Personal editor

Let’s be clear, I love it coffee. Most days I feel like I need have a coffee in order to gather the energy necessary to accomplish the missions of the day, and I am not the only one.

According to a study by the National Library of Medicinestudents tend to drink coffee to improve their concentration while studying and just for fun.

However, the results of the study prove that academic achievement “was found to have a negative association with caffeine consumption”.

Does that mean all those trips to Common bases and Starbucks interfere with my academic pursuits? Like I said, I’m a coffee lover, but truths like these make me want to put my cup down.

There is no doubt: coffee has resuscitating powers. After a long day with chapters to read and articles to write, a good old cuppa joe gives me the power to push through. However, there are several downsides to this drink, including yellowed teeth, a spike in anxiety, and a depleted bank account — and the health issues don’t stop there.

This begs the age-old question among serious coffee drinkers: to drink or not to drink?

Even after hearing this long list of coffee cons, the fact remains that I, and many other Baylor students, rely on the drink for energy. Walk past a table of students studying and there’s bound to be a metal cup or the Starbucks logo in sight.

I don’t think college students should have to go through all the side effects that coffee brings, though. There has to be a better way to stay awake during the day.

Luckily, there are healthier options than drinking coffee, and they’re right here on campus. Although hidden among the many coffee drink titles on the menuCommon Grounds barista Jonny Caraveo said there are plenty of alternatives to the usual coffee order, like their chai latte, matcha latte and loose leaf tea.

Matcha in particular has been shown to have significant health benefits, especially for the brain.

According to an article from Healthline, “researchers found that matcha caused improvements in attention, reaction time and memory.” Although lower in caffeine, I consider matcha a win for me as a coffee drinker because it still gives me the energy I need. Also, I find its earthy, green flavor to be more refreshing.

Even with alternatives, coffee remains a temptation for me. I still plan to have a cup every once in a while, but I’m glad to know there are other options available to me on the Baylor campus that are kinder to my body and mind.

Perhaps teas are the perfect break from a coffee drinker’s routine.