Coffee, caffeine consumption continues to rise

By Jordan Galloway, The Lantern (Ohio State U.)

(U-WIRE) COLUMBUS, Ohio - It is tiny, brown and millions of people wake up to it every day. It is commonly called a coffee bean.

The number of American adults consuming coffee as their caffeine fix has increased in recent years.

Americans consume more than 300 million cups of coffee every day, according to the Specialty Coffee Association of America.

"I drink five or six cups of coffee in a day," said Patricia Andueza, a linguistics graduate student. "I drink it not only for the caffeine but to break the rhythm of the day. I take a break, have a coffee."

Mornings are a popular time for caffeine consumption.

"What people look at in caffeine is that it tends to be somewhat of a stimulant," said Sharron Coplin, registered dietitian and program manager for the department of human nutrition and food management. "People use it as part of their wake-up routine."

Caffeine has medicinal properties as well.

"There are a lot of pharmaceutical manufacturers who combine caffeine with aspirin and stuff like that," Coplin said. "Caffeine sometimes can constrict the small capillaries. Some headaches are caused by a dilation of those capillaries."

More...