Workplaces are constantly in search of ways to enhance employee satisfaction, productivity, and overall well-being. While these may seem like major goals, achieving them doesn’t have to be difficult. In fact, a workplace perk that’s stood the test of time is providing delectable coffee solutions to your teams, which might be just what they need to reach a new level of performance. However, before considering your options for providing this caffeinated beverage to employees, it’s critical to weigh the pros and cons of coffee in the workplace.
Read on to learn everything you need to know about the impact of coffee at work and how you can find a reliable coffee service provider to upgrade your current offerings.
Is Coffee Still an American Workplace Staple?
With so many beverage options available for workplaces to consider — ranging from plain water to energy drinks — you might be wondering if coffee is still a desired perk for employees. Let’s just say the answer is a resounding yes.
According to a recent report from the National Coffee Association (NCA), Americans are drinking more coffee than ever, with overall coffee consumption rising 5% nationwide since 2015. What’s more, findings from the NCA’s National Coffee Data Trends report revealed that:
- Seven in ten Americans drink coffee every week
- 62% of coffee drinkers across the U.S. drink at least one cup of joe every day
- The average American consumes just over three cups per day
So, why does the average coffee drinker enjoy a caffeinated drink at work so much? Not only does it provide a much-needed energy and focus boost, but it also offers your teams a well-deserved break throughout the day. Plus, a coffee area provides a valuable opportunity for socializing and relationship-building among colleagues. With this in mind, it’s no surprise that offering delicious caffeinated coffee to your workforce might be an important factor in providing a sense of comfort, recharging their motivation, and enabling them to tackle tasks with renewed energy.
The Key Advantages of Providing Coffee At Work
Employees that love drinking coffee will be glad to hear that moderate coffee intake not only supports a strong lifestyle, but also encourages several workplace and health benefits, including:
- Strengthened wellness: A large body of evidence suggests that drinking coffee doesn’t increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases and cancers. In fact, research from the Harvard School of Public Health reveals that caffeine itself may interfere with the growth and spread of cancer cells, and habitual coffee drinkers have a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. But, it’s worth noting that these potential health benefits aren’t likely for individuals with caffeine sensitivity or those with difficulty controlling their blood pressure.
- Boosted energy levels and alertness: When it comes to coffee in the workplace, it’s not only about the taste but also the caffeine content. Why? Because caffeine is a natural stimulant that helps employees amplify attentiveness and improve focus, inevitably empowering a more engaged and productive workforce.
- Enhanced cognitive function: Moderate caffeine intake throughout the workday helps improve cognitive performance, including memory, attention, and problem-solving abilities. This can be a linchpin for fatigued employees who need the extra jolt of energy to maintain optimal performance.
- Improved mood and motivation: Coffee has been linked to an increase in the production of neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, which are essential to help your employees sustain motivation and a positive attitude. Offering delectable java at work can help your teams feel more optimistic and ready to take on challenges as they come.
- Increased antioxidant: A cup of joe also boasts antioxidant benefits, helping protect the body against oxidative stress and inflammation. This means regular coffee consumption may lower the risk of diseases such as Parkinson’s and liver disease.
Does Coffee Hydrate as Well as Water?
The Mayo Clinic reports that while water is always the best drink to support hydration, both caffeinated coffee and green tea can help you meet your daily fluid needs — another win for coffee enthusiasts in your workplace! However, it’s important to note that this won’t provide the electrolytes needed for complete hydration, and excessive coffee consumption can have the opposite effect, increasing the risk of dehydration.
How Much Is Too Much Coffee? — Finding the Balance
The caffeine from a delicious cup of java at work might be the perfect jolt of energy your valued team members need to maintain energy levels, engagement, and productivity throughout the workday. However, it’s important to remember that there can be too much of a good thing. So, what’s considered a reasonable amount of coffee for employees to drink daily?
According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the Food and Drug Administration, individuals should consume no more than 400 mg of caffeine every day to avoid adverse effects. Let’s break that down a little further: If one eight-ounce cup of regular coffee contains approximately 95 mg of caffeine, then a moderate amount of coffee to take in comes to three to five cups daily.
The Fallbacks of an Over-Caffeinated Workplace
The advantages of providing coffee at work are clear, but overindulgent caffeine consumption, on the other hand, can also lead to a few negative consequences. Some of the most notable repercussions include:
- Enhanced anxiety: Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system and triggers uneasiness, which means excessive coffee intake leaves your employees vulnerable to increased anxiety. Too much java leading to feelings of restlessness, nervousness, and a faster heart rate can hinder the focus and operational efficiency of your workforce.
- Headaches: Adults who regularly drink more than three to five cups of coffee each day can anticipate headaches and irritability that influence their ability to focus and stay productive.
- Disrupted sleep patterns: Because coffee provides stimulating effects, it stands to reason that extreme caffeine intake interrupts sleep patterns — especially if consumed later in the work day. Poor sleep quality can negatively impact employee performance, cognitive function, and overall health, likely damaging productivity and increasing workplace fatigue.
- Energy crashes: Coffee effectively provides an energy boost, but, similar to sugar, it’s possible to experience a “crash” after the effects wear off. A sudden drop in energy levels could spell trouble for your employees as they try to keep their focus and motivation toward the end of the day.
- Digestive issues: Not only does coffee ramp up stomach acid production, but research reveals that it also has a diuretic effect. Essentially, this means employees can experience digestive discomfort as a result of immoderate coffee intake, manifesting itself as heartburn, indigestion, and even acid reflux.
- Tolerance challenges: Simply put, the more coffee your employees drink, the more they’ll need to consume to feel its effects. This often leads to a cycle of ever-increasing coffee consumption, and once excessive intake becomes common, its associated negative effects.
At the end of the day, too much of anything is not good, and coffee is no exception. Yet, introducing improved coffee habits at work and encouraging moderated intake can help you reap the various benefits of this workplace staple.
Choosing Quench as Your Coffee Service Provider
Whether you’re looking for a new office coffee machine or specialty coffee to brew the perfect cup, partnering with a reliable coffee service provider makes it convenient and cost-effective to provide employees with a great-tasting caffeinated beverage whenever needed. While seemingly simple, this might be just the delectable perk your team members need to not only make it through the day but ultimately boost their productivity and performance.
With a professional coffee machine from Quench, your business can access advanced filtration technologies, a robust, sustainable coffee selection, and two office coffee delivery options. Quickly upgrade your workplace coffee supply with our wide range of commercial-grade coffee machines — not to mention our exclusive menu items that make for an even better result. And when you order your coffee supplies from Quench, you can rent your commercial coffee machine for no additional cost!
What’s more, our Customer Portal streamlines the process of ordering new coffee flavors, break room supplies, and snacks online, all while helping you manage invoices and set up auto shipping for recurring orders. At Quench, our professionals can assess your coffee machine and supply needs and help you find the unique solutions that fit.
To learn more about our Office Coffee Service and brewers, schedule an appointment with a Quench Coffee Expert.
