Coffee is perhaps the second most favorite beverage (next to water) among LU students. It has always been a favorite potion during dreaded examination weeks. People who work on the 11 th hour are the ones who are more likely to be coffee lovers. Coffee, however, does not appeal only to students. Even parents, grandparents and professors are hooked on the special aroma and taste of coffee.

But first, let us give you a little background on coffee. According to an Arab legend, even goats love coffee. As the story grows, around the year 850 B.C. in Ethiopia, a goatherd (a person who tends goats) was surprised to see his flocks awake during nighttime after eating small bites of berries and leaves of an unknown plant later known as coffee tree. Curious about the plant’s strange effect on the goats, he tried a few berries for himself and felt very good. Soon after, he rushed to tell his friends and the rest, they say, is history.

What makes coffee effective? Aside from the aroma and the ever-delightful taste, coffee contains alkaloid caffeine. This secret ingredient perks up a person and makes him feel alert. Caffeine is not just effective during nighttime but also during the start of the day because it stimulates our nervous system. Caffeine is used as a stimulant of the heart and nervous system in certain disorders and is found in a number off non-prescription analgesic preparations. It is also a remedy for poisoning by alcohol, opium, and other drugs that depress (slow down) the nervous system. Caffeine in other words, makes students alert and alive when they are busy burning their midnight candles especially during midterms and finals.

However, the World Book Encyclopedia stated that caffeine might have a disadvantageous effect if taken in large amounts. Too much caffeine may cause nervousness and loss of sleep. Excessive caffeine may also cause headaches and digestive disturbances. Caffeine has been linked to certain defects in laboratory animals. Pregnant women are advised to avoid excessive caffeine consumption for it may cause an ill effect on their babies. Therefore, we students should not drink coffee excessively because it may harm our health. We better study in advance so that we avoid cramming. In that way, we lessen our dependence on coffee.

Decaffeinated coffee also contains caffeine but in a very small amount 9About 2% only). If you crave for coffee but don’t want to stay awake all night, this may be the best kind of coffee fro you.