Do you drink coffee? Research suggests that moderate coffee consumption may offer some cognitive benefits for high school students, but excessive intake or poor timing can lead to negative outcomes that may harm academic performance. Maintaining a balance and being mindful of how coffee affects sleep and stress levels for you personally can help you manage your caffeine consumption effectively.

Caffeine, the main active ingredient in coffee, is a stimulant that can impact high school students’ academic performance in several ways, both positively and negatively.
Caffeine can increase alertness and concentration for some students, and this can help improve focus and attention during study sessions or while taking tests. In addition, moderate caffeine consumption can enhance cognitive functions such as memory and learning, which might help students with short-term recall and problem-solving tasks.
As with adults, caffeine can improve mood and reduce feelings of fatigue for certain people. A more positive mood can contribute to better engagement in schoolwork and a more proactive approach to learning.
However, as a stimulant, caffeine can interfere with sleep, mainly if you drink your coffee later in the day. Poor sleep can lead to reduced cognitive function, difficulty concentrating, and lower academic performance. High school students are susceptible to these effects due to their natural sleep patterns and increased sleep needs.
And if you drink too much coffee — about one cup per day is generally considered okay for adolescents — it can increase anxiety and stress, which also negatively affects academic performance. Anxiety can impair concentration and memory, making it harder for students to perform well in school.
Coffee beans around the world come from two main types: Arabica and Robusta (also called Conilon). According to Felipe Ferrao, a scientist at the University of Florida, people usually like Arabica beans because of their special flavor and smell. Research is published in Crop Science.
Due to climate change, though, scientists think Arabica bean production will drop dramatically by 2050. So, Ferrao and his team from France and Brazil are looking for other types of coffee that might work better in this changing climate.
They’re exploring two options:
- changing how coffee is grown
- finding coffee types that can handle new conditions
Recent research suggests that Robusta coffee could be a suitable replacement for Arabica. “Right now, most coffee comes from Arabica beans, so the coffee industry is looking for other options,” Ferrao explained. “Robusta coffee might be a good choice.”
Robusta coffee production has grown by 30 percent in the last few years. Robusta beans are more productive and need less fertilizer and water than Arabica beans.
Ferrao and his team tested Robusta and Arabica coffee plants in three high-altitude locations in Brazil for five years. They wanted to see if Robusta could grow well in different climates and still taste good.
The results showed that Robusta coffee is adaptable and grows well in high places, producing high yields and good flavor. The researchers believe it can be a smart choice for future coffee because it is sustainable and good tasting for people to drink.
Now, they want to see if Robusta can also grow in Florida. They will test both Robusta and Arabica coffee in various places in Florida, like Homestead, Pierson, and North Florida, to see how well they grow and taste there.