Are Energy Drinks Stronger than Coffee?
It’s no secret that the world runs on caffeine. Whether it’s a cup of coffee, tea, or energy drink, caffeine is one of the mostpopular stimulants consumed by adults, worldwide. But with so many variations of caffeine-filled beverages, it’s time to ask ourselves: which has more caffeine, coffee or energy drinks?
As with many things, the answer isn’t always so straightforward. An eight-ounce cup of coffee can contain between 95-200 milligrams of caffeine – a vast range, relative to the 37 milligrams in a standard 12-ounce can of energy drink. Knowing the exact amount of caffeine in a particular energy drink is less convenient, since most brands list their caffeine content in ranges, rather than exact numbers. To further complicate the matter, caffeine concentrations vary across different types of coffee, based on the roast, grind, brewing method, and much more.
We can, however, narrow down our comparison by looking at specific brands. A can of Red Bull provides 80mg of caffeine, while an eight-ounce cup of Starbucks coffee can produce anywhere between 95-200 milligrams. It’s clear that in the case of Red Bull, coffee has more caffeine content; however, this gap widens significantly when it comes to Starbucks, depending on the chosen roast and brew.
With energy drinks, caffeine can also be fortified by further stimulants such as guarana and taurine. These ingredients can boost energy levels, but their long-term consequences have yet to be fully understood. Risks associated with energy drinks include excessive consumption and fast binges of caffeine, leading to potential health problems such as insomnia, nervousness, irritability, and heart palpitations. Coffee too, can have negative impacts on health – but the levels of caffeine consumed are generally much lower.
Eva Medvedeva, clinical nutritionist and registered dietitian, believes that energy drinks should not be thought of as healthy beverages. She warns that energy drinks are full of sugar and chemically-derived additives and recommends abstinence from them, where possible. She does, however, note that both energy drinks and coffee can have their place when consumed in moderation, reiterating the importance of acknowledging variables- such as the strength of the brew, or the size of the drink.
It’s clear that when it comes to caffeine content, coffee and energy drinks are not created equal. This doesn’t mean that one should avoid caffeine completely; rather, it is essential to consider the brand, type of drink and the quantity consumed, when looking to compare the two.
The Impact on the Body
Both coffee and energy drinks impact the body a number of ways. Coffee immediately makes its presence known, with a range of cardiovascular stimulant effects. Studies show that drinking a cup of coffee can temporarily increase heart rate and contractility, due to its high caffeine content. Energy drinks, on the other hand, tend to show a slower, more gradual elevation in heart rate.
Other physiological impacts resulting from the consumption of energy drinks and coffee include increased urine production, and higher systolic and diastolic blood pressures. It is important to note, however, that the impacts of caffeine on the body vary from individual to individual, and the effects are dependent on things such as age, gender and regularity of coffee and energy drink consumption.
Ryan Lum, Professor of Nutrition at Chico State University, explains, “Since coffee and energy drinks share a common ingredient – caffeine – they both have similar effects on the body. But, since there are many other ingredients added to energy drinks, such as high amounts of added sugar, their effects on people can vary significantly, based on how their bodies react to these extra ingredients.”
It is also noteworthy that while drinking a cup of coffee can generally be beneficial, there are significant negative repercussions involved when it comes to consuming energy drinks. Oftentimes energy drinks contain high levels of added sugars and fats, posing health risks from excessive consumption.
Physical and Mental Performance Benefits
On the other hand, caffeine can also have positive impacts on both physical and mental performance. Many athletes use coffee or energy drinks to help boost their athletic performance, although the downstream effects of caffeine on exercise extend much further.
Research has found that caffeine can improve reaction times as well as enhance cardiovascular endurance, due to the increased stroke volume of the heart. Other studies also suggest that caffeine can cause a feeling of inner-euphoria, allowing more positive motivation and focus during physical activities.
The same is true of mental performances, with studies finding that small doses of caffeine can result in an enhanced mental alertness and an increase in energy levels. The effects of caffeine on mental tasks, however, are believed to vary, depending on the individual and their metabolic sensitivity to the substance.
Coffee has also been associated with increased productivity and enhanced overall cognitive functions. While coffee does not have all the additives found in energy drinks, its stimulant powers remain undeniable. For athletes fo
