In this blog post, we’ll explore how the “Bung Bung Drink” works in our bodies and the effects of caffeine on the human body.
Have you ever heard of “Bung Bung Drink,” which recently became a trend among middle and high school students? Even now, it’s not hard to find examples—especially online—of people mixing and drinking various types of high-caffeine beverages. “Bung Bung Drink” refers to a beverage made by combining one can of Hot Six, one bottle of Bacchus, and three packets of Lemona in a single container and mixing them together. This combination was also nicknamed the “Seoul National University Drink” among students, as it was believed to help them get into Seoul National University. So, how does this drink work in our bodies to earn such a nickname? Does it actually help improve learning ability without any significant side effects? To understand this, we first need to examine how our bodies function and explore the role that caffeine—the main ingredient in the “Bung Bung Drink”—plays within the body.
There is a Western proverb that says, “You are what you eat.” Taken literally, this might sound like a somewhat exaggerated expression at first. However, this phrase best illustrates the relationship between food and our bodies. Our bodies are composed of basic units called cells. Just as Lego blocks are stacked one by one to build a large castle, countless cells come together to form a single person. For these cells to function normally, they must be supplied with nutrients from external sources; food is broken down through various processes within the body and then utilized as nutrients. Since different foods provide different nutrients, our physical condition can vary depending on what we eat. In other words, consuming a balanced diet helps maintain good health, but continuing poor eating habits can have a negative impact on our health.
So, what role does caffeine—the main ingredient in “Bung Bung Drink”—play in our body’s cells? Caffeine is a representative stimulant belonging to the xanthine alkaloid group. Although it is not an essential nutrient for our bodies, it is a component that many people consume through recreational beverages. It is primarily found in coffee, energy drinks, tea, and carbonated beverages. Once ingested, caffeine undergoes metabolic processes in the liver, where most of it is broken down into paraxanthine, and some into theobromine and theophylline. These metabolites perform various functions in our body’s signaling systems, particularly in the central nervous system.
The central nervous system is a vital organ that transmits and regulates various stimuli in our bodies. For example, the process of feeling heat when touching a hot pot and quickly pulling your hand away is also the work of the central nervous system. Caffeine activates neural transmission in the central nervous system, which can help increase alertness and temporarily improve concentration. It also helps trigger various responses necessary for physical activity more quickly. However, along with these effects, caffeine can cause anxiety or tension, and it may temporarily increase blood pressure and heart rate or stimulate diuresis, leading to frequent urination. Excessive consumption may also cause symptoms such as heart palpitations, insomnia, dehydration, rapid breathing, and tinnitus.
Of course, these negative effects are often not a major concern when caffeine is consumed in moderate amounts. However, when adolescents—who are relatively sensitive to caffeine—consume large amounts of high-caffeine beverages like “Bung Bung Drink” all at once, various problems resulting from excessive intake can arise. In particular, adolescents tend to be highly sensitive to caffeine and may not fully understand the risks, making them more likely to consume high-caffeine beverages indiscriminately. The trend surrounding “Bung Bung Drink,” which became known as the “Seoul National University Drink,” is a prime example illustrating this reality.
The food we eat makes up the cells in our bodies and affects our health. Therefore, consuming sufficient amounts of essential nutrients is crucial for a healthy lifestyle. The habit of unconditionally turning to high-caffeine beverages to cut back on sleep for studying can actually be harmful to one’s health. Currently, labeling caffeine content on high-caffeine beverages is mandatory, and education and public awareness campaigns aimed at reducing excessive caffeine intake among adolescents are being carried out continuously. In addition, the food industry is steadily expanding the development and distribution of decaffeinated beverages that have had caffeine removed or reduced. Therefore, it is advisable for all consumers, including adolescents, to fully understand the characteristics and risks of caffeine, consume appropriate amounts based on their health conditions, and develop the habit of choosing decaffeinated beverages when necessary.
