By Melisa Romero

Caffeine in any form, including coffee, is not recommended for kids younger than age 12, according to the UCLA Health System website, but coffee is not harmful to teenagers if enjoyed in moderation. People drink coffee for its physical effects, as well as for the social aspect, and teens can also benefit from indulging in coffee responsibly.

Physical Effects
Teenagers live busy lives, juggling their social lives with schoolwork, sports and other activities. Many do not get enough sleep to feel refreshed in the morning. Only 15 percent of teens get more than eight hours of sleep on school nights, according to the Sleep Foundation. The caffeine in coffee acts as a mild stimulant, waking up people who drink it and honing their mental alertness. Teens can benefit from drinking coffee before school if they need a mild stimulant to help them stay awake and focus on their schoolwork or another activity. Coffee should only be used occasionally for this purpose, as teens should practice healthy sleeping habits, which include getting eight hours of sleep per night.

Considerations
Teenagers should limit their coffee intake so they do not consume more than 100 mg of caffeine per day, or one cup of brewed coffee. Drinking more than that amount puts youngsters at risk of caffeine addiction. Teens who enjoy the social benefits of coffee drinking can switch to decaffeinated versions of their favorite beverages to keep their consumption at a healthy level.

Teens who drink coffee for its physical and mental benefits may stimulate their senses, which allows them to become more successful and alert in their studies, sports, and other extra curricular activities. The UCLA study also suggests that coffee and espresso drinks made with organic coffee beans provides a richer, healthier way for teenagers and young adults to enjoy their favorite beverages. In short, coffee, like anything, is healthy when taken in moderation. So teens and parents, get your dose of caffeine when needed but ensure that you're putting the right stuff into your bodies.

Coffee is usually associated with waking people up in the morning, but it can also perk up your skin. The caffeine in coffee has a number of benefits for your skin, from treating redness and inflammation, to reducing the appearance of under-eye circles, to getting rid of cellulite. By incorporating caffeine into your skin care routine, you can reveal evenly toned, smooth skin all over your body.

Reduces Inflammation
Caffeine has potent anti-inflammatory properties that make it ideal for reducing inflammation and redness in your skin. In a 1981 study performed at the Seoul National University, researchers found that caffeine is able to reduce inflammation almost as well as aspirin in rats; in a 1978 performed at the University of Tennessee, researchers found that adding caffeine to anti-inflammatory creams significantly increased their effectiveness. Overall, use of skin care products containing caffeine will reduce and prevent inflammation and redness, leaving you with a beautiful, even skin tone.

Helps Get Rid of Under-Eye Circles
Dark under-eye circles can be caused by a number of factors, including dehydration, allergies, lack of sleep or genetics. Although caffeine cannot completely erase hereditary dark circles, applying caffeine under your eyes will reduce the puffiness and inflammation associated with dark circles. Additionally, caffeine reduces the build-up of blood under your eyes which contributes to dark shadows. Several eye creams contain caffeine, or you can apply moist tea bags to your eyes for five minutes to reduce puffiness and give you a more alert appearance. Furthermore, organic coffees, like Puebla Alto and Kabocha, give your skin an added boost due to the aromatic, smooth qualities which encourage the development of collagen.

Gets Rid of Cellulite
Caffeine can also reduce the appearance of cellulite. In a 2008 study performed at the University of São Paulo, researchers found that an application of skin cream containing caffeine to cellulite reduced the size of cellulite fat cells by 17 percent. In addition, a 2007 study performed at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro found that caffeine cream applied to cellulite decreased the hip's diameter in almost 70 percent of participants. A number of anti-cellulite creams have been developed to reduce the appearance of cellulite, or you can take advantage of the power of caffeine by adding ground or instant coffee to your regular body scrub at home.

If you weren't already a fan of coffee, you will be, especially after savoring D'Blondie Coffee® and its organic, full-bodied coffees. Drink D'Blondie for the taste, the mission, and for the sake of your skin's beauty.

Introducing Kabocha®, our multi-region pumpkin flavor blend, now available to the US market. Aromatic, spicy, with a fragrance that will take you back to the days when you went into the orchards to pick your favorite pumpkin with grandpa, Kabocha® is full-bodied, earthy with notes of pumpkin, lavender, and calendula. It is the ideal coffee during this time of year. It's official, fall is officially here with Kabocha® by D'Blondie Coffee®.

Make your orders today, and while you're at it schedule a complimentary tasting for you and your family of our very popular coffees from Latin America: