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Healthy Pick-Me-Up: Coffee Or Energy Drink?
As soon as “too early o’clock” strikes, many people turn to coffee or energy drinks for energy-boosting. Both contain caffeine but may differ in other ingredients that provide different energy-boosting benefits; energy drinks often feature flashy packaging with promises like helping burn body fat and clear mind fog; however they contain large amounts of sugar (up to 400 milligrams in one beverage), stimulants, and other ingredients which can increase heart rate, anxiety levels, and cause headaches if overindulged in.
Some energy drinks contain ingredients like taurine, guarana, green tea extract or creatine which have been linked with side effects like stomach upset, high blood pressure and even kidney damage. Many contain artificial sweeteners and preservatives and those consuming over five grams of sugar daily may increase their risk for health conditions such as obesity or diabetes.
Caffeine found naturally in coffee beans is an organic stimulant that can increase focus and alertness. Absorption into the bloodstream occurs more slowly, helping prevent an energy drink sugar crash as well as providing sustained energy boost.
While both coffee and energy drinks contain caffeine, coffee usually has about half as much as its energy drink counterpart – making it safer for most adults to consume. Caffeine tolerance can differ among individuals; those who are sensitive should limit how much they take in.
For optimal wellness, nothing beats a balanced diet, ample rest, and exercise as a pick-me-up. When selecting beverages to assist during your daytime workouts or meetings, go for ones that contain low sugar and no added chemicals; organic versions of coffee and energy drinks offer greater environmental sustainability, providing high-quality caffeine consumption with superior nutritional benefits.
When selecting an energy drink over coffee, only choose those which are organically produced with less than five grams of added sugar and no artificial sweeteners or preservatives. Be wary of energy drink serving sizes; many energy drinks contain large quantities of sugar even those labeled low-sugar. For a truly healthy energy boost, opt for natural plant-based options like black coffee or herbal tea as these contain natural components that provide energy without added additives or harmful effects on health. Add milk or creamer to mellow the flavor and rehydrate without increasing sugar intake! When selecting an energy drink, opt for one with natural sweeteners such as stevia or monk fruit to avoid artificial sweeteners that could potentially lead to digestive issues like diarrhea. Avoid mixing alcohol and energy drinks together as this could increase binge drinking and overall consumption of calories and alcohol.