Energy Drinks: Are they worth it?
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College students need energy. So, what’s a healthy option for a quick fix? An energy drink. A caffeinated and high sugar beverage that provides what students need most– an energy boost. The real question is… is it healthy? When you’re studying for finals and need to pull an all-nighter, ask yourself– is it worth it?
The main ingredients in these types of drinks are vitamins, minerals and caffeine. It may appear healthy at first, but in reality, added stimulants are present. When they’re combined with coffee, it’s not the best thing for your body. Other harmful ingredients include excessive amounts of B vitamins, taurine and synthetic caffeine.
Energy drinks cause additional health problems as well. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, energy drinks increase heart rate, and cause anxiety, dehydration and sleep problems. Most drinks are high in calories and sugar which can lead to diabetes or drastic weight gain.
Let’s talk about the most popular energy drinks. Brands like Monster, Red Bull and Bang are known to be the most unhealthy. They give you the quickest rush of energy, but it’s only temporary. Lately, there have been releases of new and more trendy drinks. Apps like TikTok have sensationalized brands like Celsius and Alani Nu, showing that only the trendiest people drink them. They have been described as healthy and made with only the best ingredients. Beverages like Celsius, V8 Energy and Alani Nu are the better option, but dieticians and professionals say to just cut out these artificial drinks overall. Having one Celsius is not going to hurt you, but if you become addicted, it will have negative effects on your body, just like coffee.
The question we need to ask ourselves is “do healthy energy drinks even exist?” We know it is all about moderation, and that makes sense. But why risk it when you can drink some other good options?
Healthy Alternatives:
Green Juice
Tea
Matcha
Kombucha
Water
Protein Shakes
All of these drinks listed above are great options for providing energy in a beneficial way for you and your body. They reduce stress, provide hydration, deliver less sugar and use anti-inflammatory ingredients.
We’re not saying to cut out energy drinks altogether, because we drink them too. Everyone needs a temporary pick-me-up on those long Monday mornings. Maybe, be a bit more aware of the health effects and pick up a healthier alternative. Continue to help your body, not hurt it.