Gender Differences In The Consumption Of Caffeine

CAFFEINE
By:
Institutional Affiliation:
Caffeine
Abstract
This study seeks to examine the gender differences in the consumption of caffeine to establish an awareness of its effects on the population sample provided. To investigate this problem, a survey was conducted on a population sample of 500 young people (275 males aged 19.3 ± 1.5 years: 225 females 19.1 ± 1.2 years).According to the findings of the study, the consumption of coffee was significantly higher in males (51.8%) than in females (41.2%). Among the coffee consumers, no significant differences were noted as the reasons for consumption, its side effects, and the components of coffee. On the other hand, the non-consuming group clearly indicated that gender differences were notable as the reasons for avoiding coffee; females (64.8%) disliking its tastes compared to (39.4%) of males.
Most of the young groups of between both genders in the consumption groups remain aware that coffee contains caffeine (70.0%-82.5%) compared to the non-consumption groups (68.0%-82.0%). However, few people within both the groups were acutely aware of other reasons for consuming coffee and the adverse effects of coffee on their body (Paulus et al, 2015). The results of this study clearly demonstrate that young males are prone to drink coffee than their female counterparts. Among those established to avoid coffee consumption, females are found to dislike coffee compared to the males (Rossignol, 2014). Given this, the study proves that several people irrespective of their use of this product are fully aware of its components, with few having an idea about other ingredients in this beverage. Additionally, few people were found to be aware of the negative side effects of coffee on their body and health.
1 Introduction
Coffee is a luxury beverage widely consumed by people globally (70-85%). The primary rationale for the consumption of this beverage is based on its relaxing effect and its capacity to alleviate stress. Additionally, regular consumption of coffee has been found to reduce the risks of contracting diabetes mellitus, rectal cancer, hepatic cirrhosis, cardiovascular diseases among other illnesses. According to Paulus et al (2015), a majority of this products consumer found that tasting coffee remains pleasant in terms of smell, taste, and its texture. However, gender differences in the consumption of coffee remain an aspect that has not been determined in as much as this study reports on the differences in coffee consumption.
People, therefore, consume coffee for different reasons, with these reasons differing between males and females. James et al (2015) reports on gender as a factor that influences the consumption of coffee nutrients. Moreover, the author demonstrates that females have a higher interest in the consumption of these nutrients compared to males, thus establishing that the knowledge about coffee consumption may differ between these genders. Currently, the consumption of this beverage has widely increased in the U.S by close to 700 percent. Additionally, caffeine plays a significant role not only in the U.S but several cultures globally. Compared to the non-consumers, coffee consumers are more interested in and knowledgeable about the components in this beverage and its side effects. Additionally, there are proper sanative ties in the views that coffee is a luxury drink, this making its drinkers have higher expectations on its beneficial side effects on their health (James et al, 2015). This study, therefore, seeks to conduct a study on the consequences of coffee consumption as examined through gender differences among the younger population.
2 Caffeine Consumption
The history of caffeine in the United States of America dates back to the introduction of coffee in 1670 when the first coffee traders were granted licensure to produce and sell coffee in Boston. After the Boston Tea Party, this product slowly became the preferred beverage as a result of its caffeinated contents (Cobb et al, 2015). However, in 1820, one of the German chemists by the name of Friedlieb Ferdinand first made an isolation of the coffee bean and gave it the name caffeine, thus meaning something found in coffee.
Following the introduction of coffee in the United States of America, the per capita on the consumption of coffee increased from close to 3 pounds per annum to eight pounds per year between 1840 and 1860. During the civil war in 1860, coffee was widely rationalized by the US soldiers. In 1886, the first known caffeinated beverage was produced in Atlanta Georgia known as Coca-Cola (Cobb et al, 2015). The beverage was initiated as a reliever of headaches since it was made from natural caffeine. Coffee, therefore, led as one of the favorite drinks, thus suppressing beer that was initially the states popular drink.
Currently, the consumption of this beverage has widely increased in the U.S by close to 700 percent. Additionally, caffeine plays a significant role not only in the U.S but several cultures globally. An instance of this can be depicted within the Japanese culture where it has become common to have tea daily (Panek et al, 2013). Besides this, the British have made the drinking of tea and coffee a luxurious affair while Finland is described as the most caffeinated country, with its citizens consuming an average of five cups in a day. Americans, on the other hand, prefer morning and late night coffees at local shops.
In as much as this is detailed, it is significant to understand that there are links made on the long-term health issues related to the consumption of caffeine as studies have proven. Most of the common short-short term effects of drinking caffeine can be classified as the withdrawal symptoms since caffeine is viewed as a drug. According to research conducted by the National Geography, a day without the consumption of coffee among coffee lovers can cause irritabilities, headaches, sleeplessness, and the lack of energy (Malinauskas et al, 2012). Compared to the withdrawal from the use of serious drugs, with an instance of cocaine, the withdrawal symptoms of caffeine are viewed as much less intense and may only disappear within a period of two days.
3 Methods
To conduct this study, a survey was administered to 500 young respondents in a bid to gather data from the subjects. A survey table was therefore created as established in Table 1 below in reference to the questionnaires acquired from different studies.
Coffee Ingestion (Yes or No)


Reasons for Coffee Consumption

1 To Relieve Boredom


2 Engage in conversations


3 Avoid Eating


4 Stress Reduction


5 Improvement of Athletic Performance


6 To Reduce Sleep

Consumers

7 Suppresses Hunger


8 Mood Enhancer


9 Alleviate Anxiety


10 Overcome feelings of Jitteriness


Enhance Working Out


Alertness





Reasons for Coffee Non-consumption



1 Dislike of its Taste

Non Consumers

2 Harmful to the Body


3 Stopped by Doctor


4 Expensive



Awareness of Coffee’s Effects on Health



1 Dieting


2 Resolution of Stress

Consumers

3 Cancer Prevention


4 Diabetes Mellitus Prevention


5 Non-expectant





Awareness of Coffee’s Effects on Health



1 Unknown


2 Dieting

Non-consumption

3 Resolution of Stress


4 Cancer Prevention


5 Diabetes Mellitus Prevention


6 Non-expectant



Awareness of Negative Effects of Coffee on Health



1 Getting Jittery


2 Stress Reduction


3 Suppress Hunger

Consumers and Non-consu...