A Look at the Pros and Cons for Drinking Coffee Every Day
September 29 is National Coffee Day!Law students and professionals alike often rely on coffee to power through long hours of study, class, or exam prep. Whether you’re an early-morning espresso drinker or a fan of that afternoon iced latte, coffee can feel like a lifeline. But how does your caffeine habit affect your productivity and well-being?
Today, let’s explore the pros and cons of coffee, pulling from EatingWell’s article, "What Happens to Your Body When You Drink Coffee Every Day," and focus on how it impacts law students.
Pros of Drinking Coffee
⚡️ More Energy for Marathon Study Sessions
Coffee’s primary ingredient—caffeine—is a natural stimulant that can help keep you awake and alert. Law students often face long hours of reading, writing, and preparation, and coffee provides that much-needed energy boost to power through late-night or early-morning study sessions.
Use coffee strategically during times when you need extra focus, like preparing for exams or studying dense legal materials.
😁 Improved Mood
If coffee is part of your morning routine, you know that feeling of joy when you take that first sip. According to EatingWell, a 2019 study shows that coffee can improve your mood within 30 minutes of consumption. For law students dealing with stress, an improved mood can make a huge difference in maintaining a positive study mindset.
Take your coffee break as an opportunity to reset your mood. Combine it with a short walk or meditation for an even bigger boost in productivity.
🧠 Memory Boost for Long-Term Retention
Law school requires you to remember a vast amount of information, especially when prepping for the bar exam. Coffee’s caffeine and bioactive compounds like polyphenols may enhance your brain health and long-term memory. This could help you recall key legal concepts when it matters most.
Incorporate coffee into your study routine when reviewing materials you need to memorize, such as for your bar exam subjects.
🩺 Reduced Risk of Alzheimer’s and Cardiovascular Diseases
EatingWell highlights that drinking coffee daily may lower the risk of neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer’s and cardiovascular diseases. While this may not directly impact your law school performance, it’s a great long-term health benefit to consider.
Cons of Drinking Coffee
🥺 Increased Anxiety and Jitters
Coffee can be a double-edged sword. Too much caffeine can cause anxiety, which is already a common issue for law students. Studies cited by EatingWell show that excessive coffee consumption may increase anxiety and even lead to sleep disturbances.
Limit your intake to avoid over-caffeination. If you’re already feeling stressed about exams, switch to a lower-caffeine option like tea or decaf.
💤 Disrupted Sleep
Sleep is essential for consolidating memory and staying sharp for long study sessions. EatingWell explains that coffee consumed too late in the day can interfere with sleep patterns, which can negatively affect your academic performance.
Stick to drinking coffee earlier in the day to ensure it doesn’t keep you up at night, especially before big exams.
☕️ Potential Dependency
EatingWell also discusses the risk of dependency and withdrawal. Regular consumption can lead to tolerance, meaning you’ll need more caffeine to achieve the same effect. And withdrawal symptoms like headaches can make it harder to focus.
Try alternating between coffee and caffeine-free alternatives like herbal teas to avoid developing a dependency.
🩻 Bone Health Concerns
There’s some evidence, according to EatingWell, that heavy coffee consumption might negatively impact bone health, particularly increasing the risk of fractures in some individuals. This is something to consider for those who consume multiple cups a day.
While coffee has clear benefits—especially for law students juggling long study hours—moderation is key. On this National Coffee Day, raise your cup to finding balance, both in your studies and in your coffee habits!
For more detailed information about the benefits and risks of coffee, check out the full EatingWell article.
