The Reality of Your Everyday Energy

As college students, we all need extra energy to get us through our long days of studying and classes. What better way to do that than a quick energy drink! VALLEY loves energy drinks just as much as the next person does, but are they worsening our health more than improving it? Today, we’re going to deep dive into some of the pros and cons of energy drinks and look at some alternatives to keep us at our best!

First, some pros!

Let’s face the facts: energy drinks taste delicious. There are so many different flavors and brands that take their selection in different ways! Energy drinks provide you with increased alertness and focus, along with an energy boost, which is perfect when you have to listen and take notes at your 8 a.m. class. Some energy drinks also have different vitamins included in them, such as B vitamins or electrolytes. These drinks are also very conveniently sized. They’re not too big and bulky to fit into your backpack or to carry around, making them accessible when in need!

The Cons

Although energy drinks may taste good, it’s likely from the amount of sugar in them. This sugar can be alright in moderation, but not every morning! Additionally, in order to feel the effect of an energy boost or heightened alertness and focus, there needs to be an extreme amount of caffeine in these small cans. Having too much caffeine at one time can lead to higher levels of anxiety, heart problems, headaches, trouble falling asleep and more long-term problems. Though these drinks do give you temporary energy, once that energy wears off, you tend to crash. This crash can cause you to feel even more groggy than you were before.

Alternatives

A fun drink to start your morning doesn’t have to be a bad thing! There are alternatives with a lower caffeine and sugar content to start off your day right!
Green tea: Green tea has a lower level of caffeine than energy drinks, but can still provide you with the energy boost you need! This amount of caffeine will be less harsh on your body and also won’t cause you to crash!
Matcha: The internet has been on a matcha craze recently, but matcha is a better alternative for sourcing extra energy! Matcha is a more concentrated form of green tea that normally is turned into a latte!
Coffee: Coffee is a classic form of caffeine that is customizable and also an easy grab! Although the caffeine content is similar to most energy drinks, there are not as many unknown added ingredients, which makes it better for your body! You can drink coffee black or add milk to make a latte!
Yerba mate: Yerba mate is a caffeinated drink that has a similar caffeine content to coffee, which is much calmer than energy drinks. Yerba mate also includes other antioxidants and nutrients that fuel your body!

What energy drink alternative is your favorite? Let us know on our Instagram @VALLEYmag!

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