Indiana Caffeine Statistics

Caffeine consumption is a significant part of daily life for many Indiana residents, particularly among college students. 

Research indicates that caffeine intake often exceeds recommended levels. Students consume it primarily for taste, stress relief, and social interactions. Sleep deprivation is also a key driver of increased caffeine use, and some individuals experience withdrawal symptoms when they abstain. 

Indiana ranks among the 20 most caffeinated states with a thriving coffee industry and relatively low average coffee prices. Here are important statistics you should know about caffeine use in Indiana. 

Key Takeaways:

• College students in Indiana consume 2 times the recommended safe dose of caffeine, primarily from coffee and other caffeinated beverages.
• In a survey, 75% of college students consumed at least 1 caffeinated beverage daily, most of whom used caffeine for taste, stress relief, and social situations.
• 58% of participants in a survey increased their caffeine intake to compensate for lack of sleep, while 25% experienced fatigue when they did not consume caffeine
• Caffeine consumption frequency varies, with 25% of Indiana students drinking no caffeine, 61% consuming 1-2 drinks daily, 11% consuming 3-4 drinks, and 3% drinking more than 5 beverages per day.
• Indiana ranks 16th among the most caffeinated states in the U.S.
• The average coffee price in the state is $2.21, ranking 43rd nationwide.
• Indiana’s coffee industry is valued at $11.2 million. The state has 109 coffee establishments. 

Caffeine Usage Among Indiana Youth

• According to the Indiana University Journal of Undergraduate Research, college students consume 2 times the recommended safe dose of caffeine, primarily from coffee and other caffeinated beverages. 
• Bucher et al.’s 2019 study, “Caffeine Intake Habits and the Perception of Its Effects on Health Among College Students,” examined caffeine consumption patterns and perceptions among 120 college students from a campus population of approximately 2,000 in Northern Indiana. It found that:
  • 75% of the survey respondents consumed at least 1 caffeinated beverage daily. The majority consumed caffeine primarily for its taste, during stressful periods, and in social situations. Additionally, participants increased their caffeine intake when they experienced insufficient sleep and before driving long distances.

• 25% of participants reported experiencing fatigue when they did not consume caffeine.
• 58% of survey participants acknowledged increasing their caffeine intake to compensate for insufficient sleep.
• Only about a quarter of students stated that they could abstain from caffeine for 48 to 72 hours without experiencing withdrawal symptoms.

• Corner Coffee Store reports that the caramel macchiato is the most popular coffee drink in Indiana. A 2019 survey by Food & Wine identified Tinker Coffee Company, based in Indianapolis, as the state’s favorite coffee roaster. By 2021, Indiana had a total of 265 Starbucks locations. 
• Beek et al.’s study, “College Students’ Caffeine Intake Habits and Their Perception of Its Effects,” on participants aged 18 years and older in Northern Indiana found that:
  • 50.8% of students reported not consuming any caffeinated beverages on a typical day.
  • 40.8% consumed 1-2 caffeinated drinks daily.
  • 5.8% reported drinking 3-4 caffeinated beverages per day.
  • 2.5% consumed 5-6 caffeinated drinks daily.
  • Other student caffeine intake habits are reported in the table below:

• Students’ perceptions of caffeine intake were reported as follows: 

• Beek et al.’s study, “College Students’ Caffeine Intake Habits and Their Perception of Its Effects,” also reported the differences in coffee consumption among students of different college years: 

Coffee Industry in Indiana Statistics

• According to IBISWorld’s November 2024 report, the coffee production industry in Indiana is estimated to be valued at $11.2 million. The number of coffee industry establishments has increased to 109 locations. 
• The research team at BetKentucky.com analyzed menus from over 5,000 coffee shops across the United States to determine which states have the highest and lowest average coffee prices. It found that Indiana ranks 43rd, with an average coffee price of $2.21, compared to the national average of $2.51. 
• According to Zippia research, Indiana is the 16th most caffeinated state in the United States. 

Caffeine Research in Indiana Statistics

• According to research from Indianapolis ScholarWork, high caffeine intake has negative implications for oral health by promoting biofilm formation for Streptococcus mutans bacteria at concentrations of 200 and 400 μg/ml. Lower concentrations ranging from 31.25 to 100 μg/ml led to a slight but significant inhibition of biofilm formation. 
• A 2017 study by researchers at Indiana University identified 24 compounds, including caffeine, that have the potential to enhance an enzyme in the brain known as NMNAT2, which has been linked to dementia protection. 
• Naugle et al.’s 2018 study, “Effects of Caffeine on the Muscular Endurance, Perceived Pain, and Effort of Resistance-Trained Women,” examined the impact of caffeine via the one-repetition maximum (1RM) performance on the leg extension (LE) and chest press (CP) during a pre-assessment. The results found a significant effect for rating of perceived excretion on the chest press (p = 0.035), suggesting a potential influence of caffeine on perceived exertion for upper body resistance exercises. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Which State in the U.S. Consumes the Most Caffeine?

According to a 2022 study by Zippia, Vermont is the most caffeinated state in the U.S. However, a 2023 survey by Coventry Direct found that Delaware residents consume the most coffee, averaging 2.2 cups daily. 

What Is the Legal Status of Caffeine in the U.S.?

In the United States, caffeine is legal and classified as a Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) substance by the FDA. There’s no set legal limit for caffeine in coffee, tea, or naturally caffeinated beverages. But in soft drinks, caffeine is limited to 71 mg per 12-ounce serving. In 2018, the FDA banned the sale of pure and highly concentrated caffeine in bulk powder or liquid form due to the health risks of caffeine toxicity and overdose deaths.

What Is the Relationship Between Caffeine and Alcohol Addiction?

While caffeine is not classified as an illicit drug, it shares characteristics with alcohol in terms of tolerance, withdrawal, and reinforcement behaviors. Caffeine withdrawal syndrome (CWS) is recognized in the DSM-5. Caffeine also counteracts alcohol’s depressant effects, leading to increased alertness despite intoxication, higher alcohol consumption, and an increased risk of binge drinking and alcohol poisoning. Click here to learn more about Indiana alcohol abuse statistics.