It seems students may not know their “limit” when it comes to caffeine. Not alcohol, mind you, but caffeine.
“I drink about three to four cups a day,” business major Michael Wang said. “And I’m not going to stop.”
According to the Journal of Urology, excessive means about two cups of coffee a day, three for women.
The research, which was done in part by Georgia State doctoral student Nicole J. Davis, suggests that men, not just women, can also fall victim to urinary incontinence, or loss of bladder control.
Bladder problems would range from “mild leaking” to “uncontrollable wetting.”
“It tastes good and it’s not as sugary,” Arts and Sciences major Lia Guzman said, comparing Red Bull to coffee. “I drink about two to three cups a day.”
Women are more prone to develop urinary incontinence due in part to muscle weakness from menopause, childbirth and pregnancy, according to WebMd. Also, it is interesting to note that Urinary incontinence, or loss of bladder control, is not a natural part of the aging process in humans.
And it’s not just Red Bull. Caffeine sources also include tea, beverages, foods, and some pharmaceuticals.
“We’re hoping that clinicians can empower people to make more informed choices about their own health,” Davis said in an article published on the Georgia State website. “With the increasing use of energy drinks and caffeine consumption predicted to increase, the findings are timely and significant.”
Davis and the team of researchers she worked with hope to raise awareness about caffeine consumption for future study and reference by health care providers, nurses and doctors.
Guzman and Wang have said they will not stop drinking coffee despite the research. Yet, both students considered reducing their coffee intake.
