Caffeine

Caffeine is one of the most widely consumed molecules in the world, and has been for centuries. It has remained popular because of its many positive effects on the body, which include stimulating the central nervous system, and making one more alert and giving one a boost of energy. About 90% of Americans consume caffeine every single day, and it has been estimated that over 120,000 tons of caffeine is consumed around the global per year. This makes caffeine America’s most popular drug by far. Caffeine is most commonly consumed in the form of coffee, tea, or chocolate. Although caffeine in the form of tea or chocolate have both impacted the history of the world significantly, this paper will focus on the major effects coffee has had on society and how the beverage has shaped many aspects of our collective history. Coffee has impacted the world socially, economically and politically over the centuries, influencing trading, colonization, and the development of countries as well as new industries.