2008 Woodie Awards
Flying through early morning class, courtesy of caffeine
Holly Perry
Issue date: 2/6/07 Section: Arts & Entertainment
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People fly to class every day with "wings" provided by the popular drink Red Bull.
Many students depend on caffeinated beverages to give them energy throughout the day. 90 percent of all adults in North America drink a caffeinated beverage each day with an average intake of 200-280 milligrams, according to a study by Johns Hopkins University. This amount roughly equals 5 cans of soda or 2 cups of coffee. The use of 75-150 milligrams of caffeine elevates neural activity in many parts of the brain, postpones fatigue and enhances performance at simple intellectual tasks, according to the Alcoholism and Drug Addiction Research Foundation in Canada.
Fortunately for caffeine addicts, in 1987 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration found no evidence that normal caffeine intake produces any increased risk to health.
On campus, the caffeine craze is in full swing, with an array of outlets to keep students awake and alert for seemingly endless lectures, difficult exams and merciless homework loads.
Soft drinks, energy drinks, coffee and tea are filling up cups across campus.
The university bookstore even carries caffeinated mints such as Foosh Energy Mints.
Foosh's slogan is, "Foosh Energy Mints keep you going in a fast-moving world!" One mint contains the same "kick as coffee," but no need to worry about brushing your teeth afterward because they are sugar free.
"We have a whole rack dedicated to the energy stuff. It's big, and that's why we have it," said bookstore manager Sam Covington.
Starbucks' products, including various flavors of coffee, Tazo Tea and cold Frappuccinos, have found a home in students' hearts as well.
"I mostly drink espresso to get an extra little kick," said Parker Thompson, a sophomore Health and Human Performance major.
He is not alone. Coffee itself is a major industry on campus.
"Sodexho sells several hundred gallons of caffeinated beverages a week. On average, we sell about 50 gallons of coffee per day," said Bob Gilbert, the retail manager for UTM's Sodexho Dining Services.
"I wouldn't mind living in a Starbuck's. A pillow fort under one of the tables would be awesome. It would also be nice to have that fresh brewed coffee scent follow me wherever I go," said Bethany Hummer, a Visual and Theatre Arts major.
With caffeinated beverages being sold at such high volumes, it is no wonder that anyone looking in on UTM's campus will see coffee cups filling trash cans, soda machines on multiple floors of academic buildings - and students flying to class, courtesy of Red Bull.
Many students depend on caffeinated beverages to give them energy throughout the day. 90 percent of all adults in North America drink a caffeinated beverage each day with an average intake of 200-280 milligrams, according to a study by Johns Hopkins University. This amount roughly equals 5 cans of soda or 2 cups of coffee. The use of 75-150 milligrams of caffeine elevates neural activity in many parts of the brain, postpones fatigue and enhances performance at simple intellectual tasks, according to the Alcoholism and Drug Addiction Research Foundation in Canada.
Fortunately for caffeine addicts, in 1987 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration found no evidence that normal caffeine intake produces any increased risk to health.
On campus, the caffeine craze is in full swing, with an array of outlets to keep students awake and alert for seemingly endless lectures, difficult exams and merciless homework loads.
Soft drinks, energy drinks, coffee and tea are filling up cups across campus.
The university bookstore even carries caffeinated mints such as Foosh Energy Mints.
Foosh's slogan is, "Foosh Energy Mints keep you going in a fast-moving world!" One mint contains the same "kick as coffee," but no need to worry about brushing your teeth afterward because they are sugar free.
"We have a whole rack dedicated to the energy stuff. It's big, and that's why we have it," said bookstore manager Sam Covington.
Starbucks' products, including various flavors of coffee, Tazo Tea and cold Frappuccinos, have found a home in students' hearts as well.
"I mostly drink espresso to get an extra little kick," said Parker Thompson, a sophomore Health and Human Performance major.
He is not alone. Coffee itself is a major industry on campus.
"Sodexho sells several hundred gallons of caffeinated beverages a week. On average, we sell about 50 gallons of coffee per day," said Bob Gilbert, the retail manager for UTM's Sodexho Dining Services.
"I wouldn't mind living in a Starbuck's. A pillow fort under one of the tables would be awesome. It would also be nice to have that fresh brewed coffee scent follow me wherever I go," said Bethany Hummer, a Visual and Theatre Arts major.
With caffeinated beverages being sold at such high volumes, it is no wonder that anyone looking in on UTM's campus will see coffee cups filling trash cans, soda machines on multiple floors of academic buildings - and students flying to class, courtesy of Red Bull.
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