Influence of coffee on the health and lifestyle of Singaporean youths

-choice of topic (munyen)

-reasons for choice of topic (wei kang)
-identify a situation (gerry)
-positive and negative impact of the influence (gerry)
-action plans (everyone)
-feasibility of the project (wei kang)
-manageability of the project (wei kang)
-accessibility of the information required (liling)
-methods used to gather information (everyone)
-steps taken to carry out the project (e.g time frame, task allocation) (munyen)

Choice of topic
Influence of the caffeine in coffee on the health of Singaporean youths

Reason for choice of topic
Coffee, one of the worlds most popular drinks, has been the subject of many
studies. In recent years, there has been a considerable increase in coffee
consumption worldwide. In addition, the number of coffeehouses has risen
dramatically due to a spike in global demand. More people also believe that
coffee brings about numerous health benefits and increased vitality. These
assumptions, however, have caused significant controversies. The effects of
coffee are often disputed and contentious. Caffeine, the main stimulant in
coffee, has been extensively studied. Despite this, the effects of the drug are
still questionable.

Accessibility

http://www.foodnhotelasia.com/index.php/2013/01/asia-gets-a-strong-dose-of-
coffee-and-tea/

Situation

Coffee Bean outlets with free and open wifi strategically located in
Singapore(53)
http://www.coffeebean.com.sg/coffeebean/store.cfm
Starbucks outlets located in Singapore(103)
http://www.starbucks.com.sg/store-locator.htmll



How much caffeine does decaf contain?
It must have at least 97 percent of the caffeine removed. That leaves
about 5 milligrams, compared to the 100 to 150 milligrams in 6 ounces
of brewed coffee. Tea starts with much less caffeine, so most decaf tea
has even less caffeine than decaf coffee.

Source: http://www.berkeleywellness.com/healthy-
eating/food/article/decaf-healthy-choice

Singapore Coffee Association (SCA)

Harmful Effects of Coffee
Excessive Caffeine
Caffeine is generally safe and provides desirable effects like energy and wakefulness for teens who
do not use more than 300 mg, or the amount found in up to four cups of regular coffee. Anything
above 400 to 600 mg is excessive and may cause physical problems, like stomach upsets, agitation,
increase heart rate, anxiety, muscular tremors and insomnia, according to MayoClinic.com. Teens
who inadvertently mix caffeine sources, like coffee and colas, or who use many energy shots or
beverages, may suffer from these effects.
Caffeine Withdrawal
Teenagers who regularly use at least 400 mg of caffeine subject themselves to addiction. Johns
Hopkins Medicine warns that addicted teens suffer from withdrawal symptoms if they decide to stop
taking any caffeine. Withdrawal means a bout with symptoms like achy muscles, headaches, fatigue,
sadness, vomiting and impaired mental focus. The effects are worse for the first two days, then taper
off completely by the ninth day. Symptoms are often avoidable by slowly tapering off caffeine intake
rather than stopping it abruptly, which lets the body get used to the reduced amounts.
Source: http://www.livestrong.com/article/512868-the-harmful-effects-of-caffeine-on-teenagers/
Negative Side Effects of Drinking Coffee Drinking coffee on an empty stomach, such as first thing
in the morning, stimulates hydrochloric acid production. This can be a problem because hydrochloric
acid should only be produced to digest meals. If your body has to make hydrochloric acid more often
in response to regular cups of coffee, it may have difficulty producing enough to deal with a large
meal. Many of the compounds in coffee like caffeine and the various acids found in coffee beans
can irritate your stomach and the lining of your small intestine. Drinking coffee can also irritate the
lining of the small intestine, potentially leading to abdominal spasms, cramps and elimination
problems, often alternating between constipation and diarrhea.
Source: http://www.healthambition.com/negative-effects-of-coffee/
Drinking Coffee Ruins your complexion Coffee impairs glucose metabolism and makes you
insulin resistant - Drinking coffee actually makes it more difficult for your body to process
carbohydrates effectively. Basically, coffee makes you insulin resistant, which can lead to systemic
elevated insulin and blood sugar, causing your skin to over-produce oil, your skin cells to replicate
too quickly, and your inflammation levels to go up. Coffee also boosts stress hormones, which
stimulate cravings for sweet, calorie dense foods and salty, high-carbohydrate snacks, which are a
recipe for acne.
In terms of acne, coffee essentially makes you pee out calcium, magnesium and potassium, which
are badly needed by the body for a wide range of critical processes, including maintaining a
functioning immune system and fighting off acne.
Caffeine consumption may raise blood pressure in those already
suffering from hypertension.
More than 4 cups of coffee linked to early death.
Caffeine linked to gout attacks.
Caffeine could cause incontinence.
Caffeine may cause insomnia.
Caffeine can cause indigestion.
Caffeine can cause headaches.
Caffeine could reduce fertility in women.
Caffeine may not be healthy for type 2 diabetics.
Caffeine Overdose.
Caffeine Allergies.
Caffeine causes more forceful heart contractions.

Positive effects of Coffee

When taken in moderate amounts, caffeine is relatively safe. A little caffeine can help you
concentrate, sharpen your thoughts, temporarily improve your motor coordination and help you stay
energized at work or school. According to the Mayo Clinic, most adults can safely consume 200 to
300 mg of caffeine per day, or about the equivalent of two to four cups of coffee
Source: http://www.newportacademy.com/caffeine/
Coffee can help you burn fat and improves physical performance.
Coffee may drastically lower Your risk of type 2 diabetes.
Coffee can make you smarter.
Coffee may lower your risk of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
Coffee may be extremely good for your liver.
Coffee may decrease your risk of dying.
Coffee is loaded with nutrients and antioxidants.

Source: http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2013-02/why-coffee-good-you-here-are-7-reasons
Caffeine increases memory.
Caffeine can ease depression by increasing dopamine in the brain.
Caffeine lowers risk of suicide.
Caffeine increases stamina during exercise.
Coffee can reduce risk of stroke as much as 22%.
Coffee decreases risk of type 2 diabetes.
Source: http://www.caffeineinformer.com/top-10-caffeine-health-benefits
Coffee contains many chemicals, including antioxidants and
compounds that can prevent mutations.
Coffee may also be good for the brain. Neuroscientists have shown
that coffee drinkers have a lower risk of brain disorders as they age.
Source: http://www.mnn.com/food/beverages/stories/why-coffee-drinkers-generally-live-longer
Decaffeinated coffee is better
Single cup of coffee contains around 85 milligrams of caffeine, decaf
servings ranged from 3 to 15.8 milligrams of caffeine.
Greatest benefits may come from black coffee where cream, sugar and
additives are not found in it may be detrimental to health.

3 Steps to Substitute Coffee and Effective Caffeine Withdrawal
1. Be conscious of your own addictions, and admit to them. But until you
can prove to yourself that you can go without drinking coffee for two
weeks, its fair to say youre still addicted to Americas favorite drug.
2. The adaptogenic herb Ashwagandha is particularly good at providing
adrenal support and helping to restore them to a healthy state, helps to
balance your bodys physiological processes, including adrenal gland
function, and is believed to enhance both physical and mental well-
being.
3. If youre using it for this purpose, it is important to have the tincture at
the largest recommended dose first thing in the morning. The ideal time
is after a big glass of water (perhaps with fresh lemon juice for its
detoxifying effects) and before a shower or breakfast, definitely before
you used to have a cup of coffee. Taken early, this adaptogenic herb
can provide its own kind of stable energy and help to counteract
caffeine withdrawal symptoms.
Source:http://www.healthambition.com/substitute-coffee-caffeine-withdrawal/

ACTION PLANS
1) Healthy meal plan (meal with less carbs) in the morning in the
form of brochures/posters etc in order to keep awake. People
often resort to caffeine to alleviate their sleep deprivation.
Eat low-carb, high-protein food for lunch. You will feel more awake. Post-
lunch drowsiness from a body flooded with insulin to process that carb-rich
lunch you just ate can be prevented by eating carefully. Kristie Leong, MD,
recommends avoiding potatoes, white rice, pasta, and any sugary foods (such
as candy and desserts) because these cause a rapid rise in your insulin
levels, which also increases the serotonin levels in your brain.
[6]
Since
serotonin is associated with sleep, it stands to reason that you'll soon be
feeling drowsy. Instead favor the following food types:
Low-carb vegetable choices include: Sprouts, green beans, lettuce,
mustard greens, radicchio, bok choy, sea vegetables, cabbage,
mushrooms, radishes, celery, avocado, cucumbers, broccoli,
cauliflower, bell peppers, summer squash, zucchini, bamboo shoots,
onions, tomatoes, artichokes, carrots, water chestnuts, pumpkin, etc.
[7]

Low-fat choices include: Beans, nuts, soy, and whole grains.
[8]

Source:http://www.wikihow.com/Avoid-Feeling-Drowsy-After-Lunch#_note-7

2) Like how NUS founded spinelli, ACJC could start running a
small coffee chain in the school itself, selling either
decaffeinated coffee, black coffee or tea to students.

3) Simple posters can be printed to show the amount of caffeine
in the chosen coffee (latte, frappe etc.) This action plan can be
combined with (1)


4) Exhibitions can be held to showcase the dangers of caffeine
addiction and methods to solve them. Combine with (1)?

Feasibility & Manageability:
Students can host the exhibitions
Exhibition can be done in school

5)Websites can be set up to increase awareness about caffeine
(designed by us)


Healthy meal plans
Objective Stop people from resorting to caffeine to alleviate their sleep
deprivation.
Procedure 1. Hand out brochures or paste posters on the walls to
inform the public of an alternative to alleviate sleep
deprivation.
2. Provide explanations with data from reliable medical
researches, to improve trustworthiness of this meal
plan, and convince people to abide by this.
Feasibility Funding needed for printing of brochures
Giving out of brochures can be carried out in crowded
areas (Orchard Road)
Manageability Carry out the activity on period of days we are free. eg.
June Holidays.
Example Eat low-carb and high-protein food for lunch to feel more
awake. Post-lunch drowsiness from a body flooded with
insulin to process the carb-rich lunch can be prevented by
eating carefully. Kristie Leong, MD, recommends avoiding
potatoes, white rice, pasta, and any sugary foods (such as
candy and desserts) because these cause a rapid rise in your
insulin levels, which also increases the serotonin levels in
your brain. Since serotonin is associated with sleep, it stands
to reason that drowsiness is experienced. Instead favor the
following food types:
Low-carb vegetable choices include: Sprouts, green
beans, lettuce, mustard greens, radicchio, bok choy,
sea vegetables, cabbage, mushrooms, radishes,
celery, avocado, cucumbers, broccoli, cauliflower, bell
peppers, summer squash, zucchini, bamboo shoots,
onions, tomatoes, artichokes, carrots, water chestnuts,
pumpkin, etc
Low-fat choices include: Beans, nuts, soy, and whole
grains.



ACJC Coffee House Like how NUS founded spinelli, ACJC
could start running a small coffee chain in the school itself,
selling either decaffeinated coffee, black coffee or tea to
students
Objective Promote consumption of decaffeinated coffee and black
coffee or tea to students of staffs of the school compound, so
as to reduce caffeine consumption.
Procedure 1. Draft a proposal to the school principal, suggesting to
set aside an area to open a coffee house, which is
open to all students and staff in school.
2. Request Singapore Coffee Association to work with us
with their aim of promoting coffee in Singapore, by
sending volunteers down to ACJC and mend the store.
3. Promote widely to ACJC students and staff, so that
they will patronise this new opened coffee house, and
stay healthy with decaffeinated coffee or black
coffee/tea.
4. Set prices of coffee at affordable prices.
Feasibility Funding needed for running store.
Requires a full-time worker to run the store.
Decaffeinated coffee and black coffee or tea may not
be appealing to different people of various tastebuds.
Manageability Shop worker is in charge of managing the store.
Students interested in making the coffee more healthier
and tastier, may do research and be rewarded a mini
ACJC entrepreneurship prize as a form of recognition.
Example



Attach posters that show amount of caffeine levels found in
different types of coffee around the school.
Objective To let students and staff of the school to be aware of what
they are consuming, especially harmful chemicals.
Procedure 1. Request spectra club in ACJC to help in designing an
attractive poster and print them.
2. Paste it on walls and pillars that are easy to spot.
3. Publicise widely through announcements in school.
Feasibility Require funding to print these posters.
Require assistance to stick posters in the school
compound.
Manageability Reward CIP hours to spectra students who have
helped.
Give recognition to spectra club for the poster.
Example



Hold exhibitions to showcase dangers of caffeine addiction
and methods to reduce caffeine consumption levels
Objective To raise awareness of caffeines harmful effects, and
persuade public to reduce caffeine consumption.
Procedure 1. Write up a proposal to Singapore Exhibition halls, and
ask to book a booth.
2. Invite interested students in presenting the exhibition to
research and prepare.
3. They will mend the booth that day and share all
relevant information with the public with a giant
descriptive poster which will attract audience.
Feasibility Need interested students
Need funding to rent a booth
Manageability Students will be rewarded CIP hours
Students will be provided with lunch
Example



Websites can be designed and set up to increase awareness about
caffeine by students
Objective Increase awareness about caffeine
Procedure 1. Invite a group of students interested in this topic of discussion
to help in designing the web page.
2. Extensive research regarding caffeine to be done by students.
3. Offer substitutes or alternatives on the web page for interested
netizens who wish to quit caffeine.
Feasibility Students need to update web page regularly
Manageability

Example