Caffeine is a part of most teens' morning routines, be it a simple cup of coffee or a latte. Samantha Stouder, a 16-year-old sophomore at Greenbrier High School, claims she drinks her daily cup of coffee in the morning because of the taste.

Many teens are drinking coffee not just because of the taste but because of an added boost or alertness at school that is hard to get elsewhere when one wakes up around 5 a.m.

The National Coffee Association reports that teens and young adults are one of the fastest-growing demographics in consumption. In 2001, only 24 percent of people 18 to 24 years old drank coffee. In 2007, it was 37 percent.

Gourmet coffee businesses such as Starbucks also report an increase in younger customers frequenting their stores, with 13 percent of their total visitors younger than 18.

These customers often buy drinks which appeal to younger customers, such as the frozen milkshake-like concoction Frappuccino.

Samantha drinks on average only one cup a day.

Some teens, though, drink too much coffee, which can have negative effects on them, says Dr. Steven Jones, a pediatrician with Pediatric Partners of Augusta.

"Caffeine mainly interferes with your sleep cycle, so if you drink too much caffeine, you may not get enough sleep. Then, you are more tired when you wake up, which can cause you to take more caffeine and so on and so forth," he said.

A regular sleep cycle is important, according to the Sleep Foundation, because without it a teen's academic success can decrease. Lack of sleep also can cause an increase in a variety of illnesses.

John Klement is a sophomore at Greenbrier High School