Fueling the Frontlines: Caffeine Use Among Healthcare Workers

Caffeine Use Among Healthcare Workers: Patterns, Benefits, and Concerns

Caffeine is one of the most widely consumed stimulants in the world, and healthcare workers are among the highest users. Long shifts, overnight duties, and the mental demands of clinical care often push nurses, physicians, and allied staff to rely on coffee, tea, and energy drinks to stay alert. Research into caffeine consumption among healthcare workers has highlighted both its prevalence, and its potential consequences for health, stress, and performance.

A cross-country survey of nurses in the United States, Italy, and South Korea revealed strikingly high rates of caffeine use. In the U.S., 88.1% of nurses reported drinking at least one cup of coffee daily, a prevalence far higher than the general adult population. The same study also examined the use of high-energy drinks (HEDs) and found that, although less common than coffee, they were still frequently consumed, particularly among younger nurses.

Energy drink use in particular has been linked to adverse outcomes. A review examining healthcare personnel reported that those who consumed energy drinks experienced poorer sleep quality, fewer hours of rest, and higher-perceived stress compared to their peers. Among nursing students, similar findings have been documented—students consuming energy drinks not only slept less, but also reported greater academic and emotional strain. These findings raise concerns about whether caffeine, when consumed in concentrated forms like energy drinks, may do more harm than good.

Beyond sleep, caffeine use is tied to quality of life and clinical performance. In one exploratory study, nurses described caffeine as an essential tool for combating fatigue and maintaining performance during long shifts. However, they also acknowledged drawbacks, such as jitteriness, increased stress, and disrupted sleep cycles. Some even questioned whether habitual use might negatively impact patient safety. These self-reports underscore the need for further objective research to determine whether caffeine enhances or undermines performance in critical clinical settings.

A study in Bahrain found that 18% of healthcare professionals exceeded 400 mg of caffeine daily, the threshold recommended by health authorities as a "safe upper limit" for most adults. More recent work has suggested complex effects of caffeine on sleep duration and well-being, with some studies even noting potential positive effects in certain populations. In the context of COVID-19, exploratory research has begun to examine whether heavy caffeine use among frontline healthcare workers might affect immune function, though the evidence remains preliminary.

Taken together, the research suggests that caffeine is deeply embedded in the culture of healthcare work. For many nurses and staff, it is not just a habit, but a perceived necessity for getting through long, demanding shifts. While moderate caffeine use can provide short-term benefits such as alertness and focus, its overuse—especially through energy drinks—appears linked to poorer sleep, higher stress, and possible safety concerns. More rigorous studies are needed to clarify how caffeine truly affects healthcare performance and patient outcomes. In the meantime, healthcare organizations may benefit from providing education on safe caffeine use, encouraging healthier alternatives, but most importantly addressing the systemic workload issues that make heavy caffeine reliance so common.

Sources

· Park, S., et al. (2021). Caffeine and high-energy drink use among nurses: A cross-country survey. Journal of Nursing Scholarship.
· Alsunni, A. (2021). Energy drink consumption and its association with sleep and stress among healthcare personnel. Brain and Psychological Research.
· Smith, J. (2019). Nurses’ perceptions of caffeine: Impact on quality of life, performance, and patient safety. Dominican University Senior Thesis.
· Al-Taani, G., et al. (2020). Caffeine consumption patterns among healthcare professionals in Bahrain. Migration Letters, 17(6).
· Nguyen, T., et al. (2025). Daily caffeine consumption and sleep duration among healthcare workers: A cross-sectional analysis. Sleep Health Journal.
· Rahman, M., et al. (2024). Coffee consumption and health perceptions among healthcare workers during COVID-19. ResearchGate preprint.