1.

0 INTRODUCTION
According to the United States Department of Agriculture, the use of coffee comes from
the Kaffa region of Ethiopia in 850 AD (cited in Thorn, 2015). Consumption of coffee has spread
widely to a whole of world since then, but most users wondering about effect of coffee to health.
In year 1890, David Strang of Invercargill, New Zealand invented and patented the first instant
or soluble coffee. Instant coffee is a powdered form of coffee that is created either by spray
drying or freeze drying powdered coffee beans. While there is no evidence to show instant
coffee causes major health problems, but it does have some bad side effects to drinkers health
caused by the caffeine content in instant coffee.
According to Health Finder, a service of the Department of Health and Human Services,
instant coffee contains an approximate about of 54 mg of caffeine each cup (cited in Thorn,
2015). Caffeine can acting as mild stimulant, the drug that affects the central nervous system.
Regular users can experience adverse symptoms, such as a headache, when deprived of
caffeine. Caffeine that contained in coffee can cause short term side effect. Nowadays, the
wide vary of instant coffee products containing caffeine are easily available in market. Several
students may addict to instant coffee because coffee containing high amount of caffeine and
high coffee intake.

1.1 Problem Statement

Nowadays, instant coffee may have high content of caffeine than type of others coffee
and drink. Instant coffee containing high caffeine content may lead to various side effects to the
user. These side effects includes headache, nausea, nervousness, depression, anxiety,
insomnia, high blood pressure, shortness of breath, indigestion, diarrhea, difficulty in
concentration, hallucinations, bad breath, flu-like symptoms and others. However, not all coffee
drinkers experiencing these symptoms, and for some the symptoms will only occur after a
certain level of sustained consumption. For some people, any consumption of any caffeine will
lead to serious health consequences.

1.2. Study Justification

Consumption of instant coffee has increased than other drinks raises various issues
mainly related to human health. Instant coffee content consisting of high caffeine have led to
bad side effects to health drinkers. Therefore, this study aims to examine the percentage of
students who are addicted to instant coffee, instant coffee intake rate daily by cup and the
adverse side effects on their health.

1.3. Objective
1.3.1. General Objective
The general objectives of this study were to study the habit of drinking instant coffee
among student at UiTM Penang, Bertam campus.

1.1.1.3.2.

Specific Objectives

The specific objective of this study was as follows:

1.3.2.1. To investigate the percentage who are addicted to instant coffee drink among student in
UiTM Penang, Bertam campus.
1.3.2.2. To determine the rate of instant coffee drink intake by cup among student in UiTM
Penang, Bertam campus.
1.3.2.3. To evaluate the major adverse side effect of coffee drink intake among student in UiTM
Penang, Bertam campus.

1.4 Hypothesis
Based on the objectives of this study, we can assume here that the percentage of instant
coffee addiction among students may be low because the caffeine contained in coffee that
causes addiction only suffered to some drinkers. In addition, the rate of instant coffee intake per
day by cup among students may be 1-2 cup. Lastly, adverse side effects that may be
experienced by most students are headaches, dizziness, insomnia, nervousness, anxiety,
shiver, irregular heartbeat, difficulty in concentration, depression, indigestion, flu-like symptoms,
waking up feeling tired, blank mind, bad breath/halitosis and energy/mood swings.

2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW

3

United States Department of Agriculture states any kind of coffee does not cause and
increase the risk of developing cancer due to lack of evidence. However, coffee can actually
help prevent cancer, there is an inverse relationship between coffee and colorectal cancer
(European Journal of Cancer Prevention, 2000). Although there is no evidence of instant coffee
causes cancer, but it has some side effects to the health of drinkers. According to the United
States Department of Agriculture, regular coffee drinkers have a lower risk of developing type-2
diabetes than non-coffee drinkers (cited in Thorne, 2015). Uthus 2006 states that instant coffee
have some source of nutrients such as chromium, magnesium and other nutrients. Based on
studies in the Department of Nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health, cafestol in the
instant coffee are lower than coffee made in a French Press or Turkish coffee (cited in Dray,
2015). Cafestol is a substance that can raise cholesterol.
A cup of instant coffee contains an average estimate of 54 mg of caffeine (Thorne,
2015). Caffeine acted as stimulant that is a drug that can affect the central nervous system.
Many people experience an enhanced awareness and alertness when taking caffeine. Users
can still experience symptoms such as headache, when reducing caffeine intake. Caffeine
contained in coffee can cause short-term side effects such as headaches, insomnia, anxiety,
high blood pressure, irritability, gastrointestinal disorders, cramps, diarrhoea, irregular
menstruation, high blood pressure, shortness of breath, difficulty in concentration and others.
However, not all coffee drinkers experienced these symptoms, and for some symptoms only
occur after a certain level of sustainable consumption.
Instant coffee also caused a significant impact on cardiovascular health than non-instant
coffee. Those who drank five or more cups of coffee have lower rates of heart disease than
those who did not drink. There was a study found that people who drink several cups of coffee
daily is less likely to died of heart disease than other person (Lopez et al, 2008). Drinking coffee
alleged can reduce incidence of cirrhosis of the liver, where 80 percent less compared with
those who did not drink coffee (Klatsky & Armstrong, 1992). Instant coffee drinks that contain
caffeine almost equally hydrating as plain water, says The University of Florida, but depending
on the amount of body fluid intake levels (cited in Trembley, 2014). Maintaining hydration of
body helps get optimal body temperature, for digestion and removal of waste from the body but
the body still require plain water. A study by a Durham University team argues that people who
consumed seven cups or more of instant coffee a day are more likely to suffering from
hallucinations.
3.0 METHODOLOGY
4

3.1 Study Location

The location of this study was conducted in UniversitI Teknologi MARA Penang (UiTM),
Bertam campus, Persiaran Pendidikan Bertam Perdana, Persiaran Perindustrian Bertam
Perdana, 13200 Kepala Batas, Penang, Malaysia. The study group was 20 students include
both males and females that was student of UiTM Penang, Bertam campus consist the faculties
of Health Sciences and Pharmacy.

3.2 Study Design

The design of this study is a cross-sectional study. The purpose of the study is
descriptive because in the form of a survey. Cross-sectional study only carried out at only one
time or over a short period. It is usually conducted to evaluate the prevalence of the outcome of
interest for a given population, commonly for the purposes of public health planning. Data
collected on individual characteristics, including exposure to risk factors, alongside information
about the outcome of exposure. A lot of information can be collected about potential risk factors
in a cross-sectional study.
The advantages of cross-sectional study are it is inexpensive and takes up little time to
be conduct. It more useful for public health planning for understanding about disease etiology
and for the generation of hypotheses; there is no loss to follow-up. Lastly, many outcomes and
risk factors can be assessed. Disadvantages of cross-sectional studies are difficult to make
causal inference. It only a snapshot: the situation may provide different results if another timeframe had been chosen. Besides that, it is likely to cause prevalence-incidence bias.
Relationship between outcomes and exposures of long duration are particularly difficult to
establish using cross-sectional studies.

3.3 Sampling Method

The method of sampling used for this study is based on purposive sampling technique
that is a type of non-probability sampling technique. The respondent was selected based on
criteria that required in this study. The criteria are a student of Bertam campus that drink instant
coffee and student.

3.4 Data Collection Technique

The questionnaires were conducted from the period from 10 February 2015 until 14
February 2015 from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. The questionnaire prepared in a form that has 20 copies
for the purpose of the questionnaire. During that period, the respondents surveyed were
students who drank instant coffee only. Before giving the questionnaire, respondents were
asked permission to spend only 3 minutes to fill out the questionnaire. After obtaining consent
from respondents, questionnaires were given to be filled within five minutes. If the respondent
does not understand the questions contained in the questionnaire, the explanation given more
clearly and carefully in order to make it easier for respondents to fill it. After respondents
completed fill up the questionnaire form, appreciation and thanks to the respondents for their
cooperation and for taking the time to fill out the questionnaire. After finish the survey of
questionnaires, the data of survey was recorded to make result and analysis.

3.5 Study Instruments

6

Instrument used of this study is collected by questionnaire in the form of survey. A

questionnaire form was distributed to 20 university students at the UiTM MARA Penang, Bertam
campus. The questionnaire was designed specifically for this study and was composed of 3
parts. The first part is respondents background information that has four questions that
collected data on gender, age, faculty and course. The second part is habits respondent
information consists of five questions which collected data about the students habit of drink
instant coffee and specific habits related to the consumption of instant coffee.
The third part is health effect information that comprises three questions that collected
data about the possible side effects/symptoms on health that have experienced by students who
drink instant coffee. The survey also collected data on the symptoms such as headache,
nausea, nervousness, depression, anxiety, jitter, waking up feeling tired, insomnia, irregular
heartbeat, high blood pressure, and shortness of breath, indigestion, diarrhoea, blank mind,
difficulties in concentration, hallucinations, bad breath/halitosis, energy/mood swings, flu-like
symptoms and others.

3.6 Data analysis

The analysis of the study data is processed and analyzed using Microsoft Excel and
Microsoft Word. All of the data was recorded and presented in table, pie chart or graph in
Microsoft Word.

4.0 RESULT

4.1 Respondents Background Information

4.1.1 Gender of respondent

Gender
Male
Female

Number of respondents
10
10
Table 1

Table 1 shows the gender of respondents; number of respondents both male and female is
10.Total of respondents is 20.

4.1.2 Age of respondent

Age
18 years old
19 years old
20 years old
21 years old

Number of respondents
2
3
14
1
Table 2

Table 2 shows the range of respondents range which from 18 years until 21 years. Respondents
aged 18 years is 2, while respondents aged 19 years is 3. Respondents aged 20, the highest
number is 14 and respondents aged 21 years only one.

4.1.3 Faculty of respondent

Faculty
Health Sciences
Pharmacy

Number of respondents
17
3
8

Table 3
Table 3 shows that the faculty of respondent is from Faculty of Health Sciences and Faculty of
Pharmacy. Number of respondents from Faculty of Health Sciences is 17 people, while
respondent of Faculty Pharmacy is only 3 people.

4.1.4 Course of respondent

Course
Diploma in Environmental Health
Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology
Diploma in Pharmacy

Number of respondents
10
7
3
Table 4

Table 4 shows the courses of respondents which are student of Diploma in Environmental
Health, Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology and Diploma in Pharmacy. The number of
respondents from Diploma in Environmental Health is 10, while Diploma in Medical Laboratory
Technology respondent is 7 and Diploma in Pharmacy is 3.

4.2 Habits Information

4.2.1 Intake of instant coffee of respondents

Intake the instant coffee
Yes

Number of respondents
20
9

No

0
Table 5

Table 5 shows the number of respondents take the instant coffee is 20. So that, all of the
respondents drink the instant coffee.

4.2.2 Daily consumption of instant coffee of respondents

Daily consumption of instant coffee

18
16
14
12
10

Number of respondents

8
6
4
2
0

Yes

No

Daily consumption

Diagram 1
Diagram 1 shows the graph of daily consumption of instant coffee of each respondents. Number
of respondent consume instant coffee daily is 16 respondents and respondents that not
consume instant coffee daily is only 4 respondents.

4.2.3 Addicted of instant coffee of respondents

10

Addicted of instant coffee

12
10
8

Number of respondents

6
4
2
0

Yes

Maybe

No

Addicted of instant coffee

Diagram 2
Diagram 2 shows the graph of number of respondents addicted of instant coffee. Based on data
of survey, only 3 respondents tick Yes, while 6 respondents tick Maybe and 11 respondents
tick No.

4.2.4 Rate of consumption of instant coffee of respondents

Rate of consumption (cup)
1-2 cup
3-4 cup
5-6 cup
more than 7 cup

Total
20
0
0
0
Table 6

Table 6 shows the rate of consumption of instant coffee of respondents.

consumption of instant coffee all of the respondents is 1-2 cup.

4.2.5 Brand of instant coffee of respondents consumption

11

The rate of

Brand of instant coffee consumption

16
14
12
10
8

Total

6
4
2
0

Brand of instant coffee

Diagram 3
Diagram 3 shows the brand of instant coffee the most respondent drink. Based on the result,
total of 14 respondents drink instant coffee brand of Nescafe, followed by Old Town is 4
respondents, Kopiko only one, while other brands like Indocafe, Alicafe, Radix, Super and
Power Cafe is zero.

4.3 Health Effect Information

12

4.3.1 Symptoms experienced by respondents after drink instant coffee

Symptoms after drink instant coffee

12
10
8
6
4

Total

2
0

Symptoms

Diagram 4
Diagram 4 shows the total number of symptoms that have been experienced by respondents
after drink instant coffee. The significant symptom is waking up feeling tired is 10. Second
highest is headache/ dizziness, followed by insomnia, energy/ mood swings, and blank mind
that all is 4. Next, anxiety, bad breath/halitosis and difficulty in concentration/ weak in focus is
total of 3. Total only 2 for depression, irregular/rapid heartbeat and diarrhea and only 1 of the
total for nervousness, jitter/shiver, indigestion and others symptom. But, symptoms like
nausea/vomiting, high blood pressure, shortness of breath, hallucinations and flu is none.

13

4.3.2 Presence of symptoms after drink instant coffee of respondents

Presence of symptoms after drink coffee

Number of respondents

14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0

Presence of symptoms

Diagram 5
Diagram 5 shows the related presence of symptoms after drink coffee of respondents. Total of 2
numbers of respondents tick Yes, surely, while 12 respondents tick Yes, sometimes and 7
respondents tick No.

4.3.3 Diagnosed of symptoms of respondents

Diagnosed by doctor
Yes
No

Number of respondents
0
20
Table 7

Table 7 shows the numbers of respondents have been diagnosed by doctor after experienced
any symptoms above. Total of 20 numbers of respondents have not diagnosed by doctor.

DISCUSSION

14

This study indicated that the objectives of this study are achieved. All of the objectives
have been cover in result and findings of this study. The percentages of students who are
addicted to instant coffee have been investigated. The rate of instant coffee drink intake by cup
among student in UiTM Penang, Bertam campus has been determined. The major adverse side
effect of coffee drink intake among student in UiTM Penang, Bertam campus has been
evaluate.
The hypothesis of this study that had been made is accepted. The percentage of
students that addicted to instant coffee is low (15%) because the caffeine contained in instant
coffee that cause addicted only suffered by few students. Next, the rate of instant coffee daily
intake by cup among students only 1-2 cup. Lastly, most of the major adverse side effect of
coffee drink intake among students has been correct predicted includes waking up feeling tired,
headaches/dizziness, insomnia, energy/mood swings, bad breath/ halitosis, anxiety, blank mind,
difficulty in concentration/ weak in focus, irregular heartbeat, depression, indigestion,
nervousness, jitter/ shiver. Some of the side effect that not experienced by students are
symptoms like nausea/vomiting, high blood pressure, shortness of breath, hallucinations and
flu-like symptoms.
Based on the data obtained in the present study, the consumption of instant coffee may
cause waking up feeling tired, headaches/dizziness, insomnia, energy/mood swings, bad
breath/ halitosis, anxiety, blank mind, difficulty in concentration/ weak in focus, irregular
heartbeat, depression, indigestion, nervousness, jitter/ shiver. These results support those
reported by Hughes, concerning insomnia. This study found no evidence that the consumption
of instant coffee cause nausea/vomiting, high blood pressure, shortness of breath,
hallucinations and flu-like symptoms. These results contradict those reported by Hughes,
concerning hallucination.

When this study was conducted, there are several limitations that occur. One of the
limitations is confounding factor/variable. This is because, there may be has other factors that
are influencing the presence of sign and symptom that has been experienced by respondents
after drink instant coffee. That factor may include stress, diet, lifestyle, eating habit and others.
15

In addition, recall bias also present in this study. Respondents that contribute for the survey
questionnaire could be do not remember clearly about the some related information such as the
sign and symptom that have been experienced after drink instant coffee. Lastly, in this study
self-selection bias also occurs. This is because the sample for survey questionnaire was
selected by some criteria such as drinker of instant coffee and student of UiTM Penang, Bertam
campus.

RECOMMENDATION
There are several recommendations for improvement of this study for future research
and prevent the bias that has been occurred during this study conducted. One of the
recommendations is provide the questionnaire form with Malay language instead using only
16

English. It can be more easily for respondents to understand the questions to answer the
questionnaire. Questionnaire that only used foreign language for respondents among Malay
student must be avoided. When the questionnaire form provided with dwi-language, the
interviewer bias and respondent bias can be avoided and the result of data will be more
accurate and valid.
In addition, this study recommends further work to get appropriate total respondent when
survey using questionnaire.

Raising the number of respondent can obtain more data and

ensure the result more precise. The more respondent, the more data obtained, hence the result
of findings is better. Thus, total respondent that are too small, make it difficult to find significant
relationships from the data because survey using questionnaire normally require a large number
of respondents.
Besides that, the presence of sign and symptom experienced by respondents need
diagnosis by doctor. This is because, the sign and symptom that experienced by respondents
are not showed any evidence. The sign and symptom that have been experienced by
respondent after drink coffee may be influenced by other factors such as stress, academic
problem and lifestyle. It is also because most of the respondents that are students who
experience signs and symptoms after drinking instant coffee not take seriously about the impact
on condition of themselves.

CONCLUSION
It can be concluded that instant coffee can make the drinker experienced some adverse
side effect. However, signs and symptoms because drinking instant coffee do not contribute
hundred percent for the side effects that had been experienced by user. This is because the
side effect that experienced by user may be cause by other factor. In this study, all of the
objectives have been reached in result and findings. This finding shows that the percentages of
students who are addicted to instant coffee is low, while the rate of instant coffee daily intake by
cup among students only 1-2 cups.
REFERENCE
Agriculture, U. S. (n.d.). Ag History of Coffee. Retrieved January 3, 2015, from National
Agricultural

Statistics
17

Service:

http://www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/Puerto_Rico/Publications/Ag_History_of_Co
ffee/index.asp
Dray, S. (2015, January 28). Is Instant Coffee Bad for Your Health? Retrieved January 3, 2015,
from LIVESTRONG.COM: http://www.livestrong.com/article/478724-is-instant-coffee-badfor-your-health/
Durham University. (2009, January 14). High caffeine intake linked to hallucination proneness.
Retrieved

January

5,

2015,

from

Durham

University:

https://www.dur.ac.uk/news/newsitem/?itemno=7403
Klatsky, A. L., & Armstrong, M. A. (1992). Alcohol, smoking, coffee, and cirrhosis. American
Journal of Epidemiology , 136(10):12481257.
Tavani, A., & La Vecchia, C. (2009, August). Coffee and cancer: a review of epidemiological
studies, 1990-1999. Retrieved January 2, 2015, from US National Library of Medicine:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10958327
Thorne, R. (2015, January 28). Does Instant Coffee Affect Health or Cause Cancer? Retrieved
January 2, 2015, from LIVESTRONG.COM: http://www.livestrong.com/article/458509does-instant-coffee-affect-health-or-cause-cancer/
Tremblay, S. (2014, September 14). Instant Coffee Health Benefits. Retrieved January 3, 2015,
from LIVESTRONG.COM: http://www.livestrong.com/article/299580-instant-coffee-healthbenefits/
Uthus, E. (2006, November 1). A functional food with health benefits. Retrieved January 2,
2015, from United States Department of Agricultural ( Agriculture Research Service):
http://www.ars.usda.gov/Research/docs.htm?docid=14342
Volume 9 - Issue 2. (2000). European journal of cancer prevention, p.70-135.
Lopez et al. (2008, June 17). The Relationship of Coffee Consumption with Mortality. Ann Intern
Med.

2008;148:904-914.

doi:10.7326/0003-4819-148-12-200806170-00003

(Durham

University, 2009)
Hughes, J. R., McHugh, P., & Holtzman, S. (1998). Alcohol [[amp]] Drug Abuse: Caffeine and
Schizophrenia. Alcohol, 49(11).

18

APPENDICES

19

Figure 1: NESCAFE, the brand of instant coffee that the most students drink.

Serial No.

20

FACULTY OF HEALTH SCIENCES

DIPLOMA IN ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

TITLE: HABIT OF DRINKING INSTANT COFFEE

AMONG STUDENT AT UITM PENANG, BERTAM
CAMPUS.

This project paper is carried out by Part 4 students of the Environmental

Health programme in partial fulfilment of the requirements for subject
ENV275 (Technical Documentation for Environmental Health)
Confidentiality and consent
Thank you for your cooperation and consent in answering this
questionnaire. Your answers are completely confidential and are used
solely for the purpose of our study. Thank you.
PART A: RESPONDENTS BACKGROUND INFORMATION
1. Gender

Male

Female
21

2. Age

______ years old

3. Faculty

______________________________

4. Course

______________________________

PART B: HABITS INFORMATION

1. Do you drink instant coffee? :
Yes
No
2. Do you drink instant coffee every day? :
Yes
No
3. Do you addicted to instant coffee? :
Yes
Maybe
No
4. The rate of your instant coffee intake per day by cup:
1-2 cup

5-6 cup

3-4 cup

more than 7 cup

5. What brand of coffee do you drink THE MOST?

Nescafe

Radix

Indocafe

Super

AliCafe

Kopiko

Old Town

Others. Please specify: _________________

Power Cafe
PART C: HEALTH EFFECT INFORMATION

22

1. Do you have experienced any of these symptoms after drink instant coffee?
(You may tick more than one answer)
Headache/ Dizziness

Shortness of breath

Nausea/ Vomiting

Indigestion

Nervousness

Diarrhea

Depression

Blank mind

Anxiety

Difficulty in concentration/ Weak focus

Jitter/Shiver

Hallucinations

Waking up feeling tired

Bad breath/halitosis

Insomnia

Energy/Mood swings

Irregular/rapid heartbeat

Flu-like symptoms

High blood pressure

Others. Please specify: ____________

2. Do you think any symptoms above which you have experienced because drinking instant
coffee?
Yes, surely
Yes, sometimes
No
3. Do you have been diagnosed related to any these symptoms by doctors?
Yes
No

23