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Is Coffee Healthier Than Energy Drinks?
Coffee and energy drinks are among the world’s most beloved caffeinated beverages, providing instant energy boost and temporary mental alertness. Both can have potentially negative side effects; too much caffeine may cause heart palpitations, shakiness, anxiety, insomnia and acid indigestion while sugary energy drinks could lead to obesity, high blood pressure, tooth decay and diabetes if taken in excess. So which one would be better for your health?
To answer this question, it’s necessary to consider various factors including calories, sugar content and nutrient profile. Furthermore, many questions surround the safety of energy drinks among young children and teenagers – making coffee healthier than energy drinks a viable solution?
While coffee does contain high levels of caffeine, it does not cause the above side effects and is considered much safer than energy drinks. If you are worried about your coffee intake, lower doses or decaffeinated options can always be chosen as solutions.
Another key consideration in beverage selection is how much added sugar each drink contains. Traditional coffee contains relatively little added sugar while energy drinks often contain excessive quantities despite claiming to be “sugar-free”, including artificial sweeteners which may pose potential threats to health.
A typical cup of brewed coffee contains less than 10 grams of added sugar depending on how it’s prepared, while energy drinks often contain up to 80 grams. If your sugar intake concerns you, there are ways you can lower its impact in coffee such as adding milk or using natural sweeteners like honey or monk fruit that do not contribute any calories or calories.
Coffee and energy drinks both provide caffeine boosts, but coffee stands out as being healthier due to its other health benefits. Coffee has been associated with reduced risks of Parkinson’s disease and Type 2 diabetes and provides essential antioxidants such as chlorogenic acid that have anti-aging and cancer fighting capabilities.
If you need a boost of energy to get through the morning, a cup of black coffee could be just what’s needed to help wake you up. But if you’re on a weight loss diet or dealing with certain medical conditions, it may be better to go with something lower-cal like plant-based milk lattes as these offer fewer added calories and have no sugar added. Also be wary of excessive caffeine as too much may interfere with sleep and cause restlessness; speak to a registered dietitian or health expert regarding how much caffeine intake would be suitable based on individual conditions; generally recommended daily amounts are around 200 mg; any needing beyond this should consult a health expert or doctor.