Energy drinks and coffee are the two go-to drinks that you will see being toted around a college campus. With all the papers, tests and all-nighters, caffeine is a must have to make it to any morning class, or to stay awake throughout the day. Caffeine has become our generation’s drug of choice; it is no longer just our parents that need that cup of Jo to get going in the morning. So what form of liquid caffeine should you choose- coffee or energy drinks?
Did you know 54% of American adults drink coffee daily, and a staggering 74% of our daily caffeine intake comes from coffee alone? But what is better for your body, energy drinks or coffee? Caffeine from coffee affects the body in both positive and negative ways, which may be surprising. It makes you feel alert, pumps adrenaline through your system, and gives you energy. Studies have even shown that drinking caffeine before a workout extends your endurance. The negatives of ingesting coffee, however, are that it produces restlessness, headaches and irritability, as well as making you dehydrated. The longer you drink coffee, the more you need to get the same effect, and your body can become dependent on it. We all know that caffeine affects your sleep, but many of us don’t know that even if you are able to sleep after drinking caffeine, you may not be able to obtain the restful benefits of deep sleep. But that’s not going to make you ditch your morning 2-cup routine.
Consuming an energy drink such as Monster, Red Bull or Rockstar, increases your level of energy and mental alertness. Many of the newer drinks also contain vitamins and minerals to enhance your physical well-being. They even may increase your metabolism! Such drinks work within your central nervous system to improve the body’s metabolism. Cons associated with these products, however, are severe. Energy drinks have been known to cause seizures, heart attacks, and even death, although unlikely if drank in moderation. Dehydration due to the high amounts of sugar and caffeine is a common side effect to consuming these drinks regularly.
NUTRITIOUS FACTS
Coffee contains less than half of the amount of caffeine that energy drinks do, 50 grams compared to energy drinks’ near 300 grams.
Energy drinks have more sugar than a cup of coffee, about 30 grams compared to coffee’s 0 in a cup without creamer.
The consumer can adjust the amount of sugar in coffee, while an energy drink has a set amount.
The amount of sodium is far less in a cup of coffee, only about 5 grams, while energy drinks pack in the sodium at around 180 grams.
So ladies, make the decision for yourself, what is less harmful to your body but can still keep you awake through those boring lectures?
Sources:
Symptonfind.com
Overcaffeinated.org