By Emanuel Nader

Students are often faced with the dilemma of having too much schoolwork and not enough sleep. This leads many to turn toward energy drinks as a solution to their waning endurance. Energy drinks are very accessible as they are sold almost everywhere, and often are a fast and easy way to get a boost in energy throughout the day. However, that boost might not be worth it given the side effects.

First, it is important to understand that with any sort of caffeine (a stimulant that increases the activity of your brain and nervous system), consuming too much can result in various health issues. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), advises consuming no more than 400 mg of caffeine a day. Overconsumption of caffeine can result in high blood pressure, increased heart rate, anxiety, and insomnia.

But too much caffeine is not the only potential problem with energy drinks, such as Monster and Redbull, the large amounts of sugar in the beverages are also a concern. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), consuming large amounts of added sugars is linked to several health problems, such as diabetes, obesity, and heart disease. Added sugars may offer short bursts of energy, but they are often followed by fatigue. This is due to a consumer’s blood sugar level spiking, and then shortly after facing a steep drop.

Some consumers opt for a healthier energy drink alternative such as Celsius, which has 0 added sugars and instead uses artificial sweeteners such as stevia, erythritol, and sucralose. These are indeed healthier options with ingredients in each drink, such as B vitamins, taurine, and ginger root extract. However, with 200 mg of caffeine per can, consumers and students need to be wary of how much they are drinking.

Healthier alternatives to boosting energy are coffee or tea. But as most students are often in a rush, these drinks aren’t as easy to buy or bring to class. Energy drinks like Celsius can quickly be bought from the store, whereas tea and coffee take time to make at either Starbucks or at home. The authenticity of tea and coffee is much greater than energy drinks, as there is a lack of dyes and they are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Coffee and tea can provide many potential health benefits, including boosting your immune system, reducing the risk of cancer and diabetes, and many others. However, the risk of overconsuming caffeine remains.

As many students are expected to balance schoolwork, family life, extracurriculars, and relationships, having the energy and the right amount of sleep can be difficult to maintain. Caffeine is okay to drink in moderation, as long as you are not consuming over 400 mg a day. Getting a good night’s rest is the obvious right choice, but when that is not possible, be conscious of how much caffeine you consume.