Let’s face it: College can be exhausting. From classes to clubs to hangouts with friends, it can be difficult to maintain a consistent amount of energy throughout the day. As college students, many of us have a simple solution to getting through these busy days: caffeine. More specifically, many of us reach for an energy drink to give us that extra boost we need.
How Much??
While they may taste like yummy soda, many energy drinks contain more caffeine than one cup of coffee. According to Mayo Clinic, most energy drinks contain between 100-300 milligrams of caffeine per serving, as well as added sugars.
On the other hand, Healthline states that a smaller 8-ounce cup of brewed coffee can contain 95-200 milligrams.
Mayo Clinic also notes that according to the Food and Drug Administration, up to 400 milligrams of caffeine per day is considered safe for adults. This means that if you drink more than one energy drink per day that contains over 200 milligrams of caffeine, you could be exceeding that recommendation.
Excessive caffeine intake can lead to adverse health effects such as headaches, heart palpitations, insomnia and more. The National Library of Medicine also states that concerns over energy drink consumption have risen, which include “cardiovascular problems, nervous system disorders and the potential for addiction.”
Let’s Get Energized
If you are an avid energy drink consumer, don’t worry (We didn’t mean to scare you.) VALLEY has composed a list of energy drink alternatives to help you cut back on the Celsius while still getting the energy you need to take on the day.
Commit To Some Coffee
A great way to get your energy for the day is with a good old-fashioned cup of coffee. Although coffee still contains caffeine, you can drink more than one cup without surpassing that daily recommendation.
According to Verywell Health, coffee is also the healthier option as opposed to energy drinks since coffee beans are a natural source of caffeine. Energy drinks, on the other hand, often contain manufactured products that contain additives such as “sugar, B vitamins, taurine, ginseng and carnitine.”
There are also many ways to customize your coffee to make it uniquely yours. Whether you prefer a latte, a macchiato or plain black, there are a multitude of ways to enjoy this caffeinated confection. Plus, did we mention coffee is delicious?
Try Some Tea
Another, more natural alternative to energy drinks is tea. There are also a variety of flavors to choose from, such as chai, Earl Grey and fruit-infused teas.
According to The Republic of Tea, a 6-ounce cup of black tea contains about 50 milligrams of caffeine. A similarly-sized cup of oolong has 30-40 milligrams, and a cup of green tea has 20-30 milligrams. This makes tea a much stronger (pun intended) alternative in terms of caffeine content.
Like coffee, you can also drink tea hot or iced, making it the perfect beverage for any day.
Make Some Matcha
Although an acquired taste, matcha is also another option to get an energy boost. In case you’re wondering what the heck is in this green stuff, here’s Harvard’s definition:
“Matcha is a vivid green, concentrated powder made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis tea plant.”
– Christina Frank, Health writer
You can enjoy matcha as a tea or add it to smoothies, and one 8-ounce cup contains only 38-89 milligrams of caffeine. It also contains phytochemicals and antioxidants, which may have additional health benefits.
Plus, with a matcha in hand, you’ll totally give off that mysterious it-girl persona you’ve always dreamed of.
Freshen Up With Some Fruit-Infused Water
This one might be a stretch, but if you’re feeling really healthy and ambitious, VALLEY recommends trying some fruit-infused water. Although this beverage doesn’t contain caffeine, the natural sugars and flavors of the fruit can give you an extra boost — and make your water feel fancy.
Try a citrus creation with oranges and lime, or go for a classic cucumber-infused water. It’ll be just like drinking fancy hotel lobby water every day.
Which energy drink alternative are you going to try? Let us know on X @VALLEYmag!
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