The Impact of Arabic Coffee Consumption on Academic Performance in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Coffee is a globally consumed beverage that has undergone extensive research exploring its effects on human health and performance. Specifically concerning higher education students, the influence of coffee consumption on academic performance has garnered interest. Various research papers argued that intake of moderate coffee can positively improve student academic performance by improving awareness and cognitive ability. However, extreme coffee consumption can lead to adverse results for students' academic performance, including anxiety disorders, limited attention ability, and bad sleep quality. In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), Arabic coffee consumption spread beyond cultural and social practices; it is a common habit among university students. The culture of intake coffee is deeply rooted in students' daily lifestyle. For numerous students, this usual beverage delivers relief and a break from the academic stress they might face. It acts as a tool for university students to shape bonds with university peers and undertake useful conversations. The practice of making and sharing cups of Arabic coffee signifies relationships and plays a key role in university student life. While the Arabic coffee consumption is greatly embedded in Saudi Arabian culture, its probable influence on the academic performance of university students prevails an area of debate. The current study aims to fill this gap by investigating the impact of motives (i.e. cognitive enhancement, negative affect relief, reinforcing effect, weight control) to consume Arabic coffee on academic performance of university students.