Is coffee a part of your daily routine? Roll out of bed, get ready for school and on the way stop for coffee? Walking down the halls at VHS, one notices that many students and teachers start their day off with a cup of coffee, either hot or cold.

“It gives me energy for the rest of the day,” says junior Courtney Paganelli.

“Coffee is like a crutch, people start to rely on it,” says senior Jess Niler, who stops to get coffee every morning before school.

But while many depend on coffee’s caffeine for energy throughout the day, is drinking too much coffee a health risk?

Coffee has been blamed for many sicknesses through the years including heart disease or even cancer. It has even been said that coffee can stunt growth. Recent research however, suggests that there are more benefits of drinking coffee than risks

Studies have shown that drinking coffee could protect someone from Parkinson’s disease, Type-2 diabetes, and even liver cancer. Part of coffee’s value is its high antioxidant content.  But coffee isn’t necessarily the best morning drink either. Other drinks, such as skim milk or orange juice that have other vitamins and nutrients are a healthier way to start your day. But those who do drink coffee should know that it is healthiest if black, though very few drink it that way.

“It just tastes better with cream and sugar,” says senior Brian McMahon said. Most would agree, but when one starts adding sugar and cream, this is how calories and fats start to accumulate.

Another problem is the amount of coffee many people drink.  If a person drinks 7-8 cups in one day restlessness, anxiety, irritability, and loss of sleep can be the result. The issue is many drink this amount without realizing it. As an example, someone may believe they have had two cups of coffee when what they have actually done is fill a travel mug twice.  That travel mug may hold as many as 24 or more ounces.  If it does, that person has actually had 48 ounces, or six cups of coffee, not two.

Drinking coffee is a big part of many people’s lives, and can be an energy providing way to start off the day, but coffee drinkers will stay healthiest if they drink it black and in moderation.