To Caffeine or Not to Caffeine

According to a new study, two cups of coffee (or other caffeinated beverage) a day helps prevent dementia. This isn’t the first time I’ve seen coffee make headlines — studies like this often claim that caffeine will either save you or ruin you. As someone who has yo-yoed across the caffeine spectrum, this pro-coffee report produces mixed feelings.

My parents are coffee hounds, and my siblings and I followed suit from a young age. Middle school Sarah loved the sharp taste of black coffee before getting started on a rigorous day of math equations. My younger sister, at the ripe age of 10, famously went to a dance rehearsal carrying a large, steaming to-go mug of black coffee. When asked by the teacher why on earth she was drinking coffee, she parroted my dad’s often-used expression: “coffee makes everything better.” Needless to say, the Shoens were locked in on coffee. 

I quit caffeine cold turkey at the beginning of 2025, much to my own surprise. For six blissful months, I was free from the shackles of caffeine headaches and $6 lattes. But like all yo-yos, I eventually went the other way and started drinking coffee again. Here are my takeaways from my journey:

Coffee is a beloved aspect of culture, and one of the most delicious flavors this world has to offer. It can also help with digestion and, obviously, kick start the day. Therefore, it’s great.

However, when I’m not drinking caffeine, I must admit that my energy levels are a lot more stable. It’s also an incredibly liberating feeling to not be “dependent” on something to get the day started. Therefore, maybe it’s not so great. 

Where do you fall on the caffeine spectrum? Are you pro or against? Let us know, maybe we can debate it over a cup of joe sometime! 

 - Sarah Shoen | Contact