When it comes to getting your caffeine fix, there are multiple options. Coffee shops are in abundance while energy drinks can be found at gas stations and convenience stores. Many people question which is better: hot coffee or an energy drink. Both contain caffeine but energy drinks contain added sugar that could harm your health; additionally they may cause spikes and drops in blood sugar levels that are short lived before levelling off again quickly. In this article we’ll look at both drinks in depth in order to help you decide which is right for you.

Are Coffee or Energy Drinks Better for Staying Awake?

In terms of natural content, coffee tends to be safer than energy drinks for keeping awake. Since caffeine in coffee is absorbed slowly and doesn’t lead to sudden crashes like some energy drinks do; also up to 400 mg caffeine (roughly equivalent to five cups of coffee) has been acknowledged by the FDA as safe whereas many energy drinks contain over 400 mg.

Not only are energy drinks packed with high levels of sugar, they may also include other ingredients designed to increase focus and attention span. Common examples are guarana extract, taurine and ginseng which claim to boost attention and focus. While such substances may give an energy boost they’re often not necessary to stay awake and could have detrimental consequences for health.

If you’re seeking an organic source of caffeine, organic coffee beans provide a sustainable and delicious beverage without harmful additives found in most energy drinks. Furthermore, organic coffee may even provide longer lasting alertness; coffee inhibits adenosine receptors which promote sleep to extend its effects over time and give longer sustained alertness benefits than energy drinks can.

While coffee may contain more calories than energy drinks, there are ways to cut back on both its sugar and calories intake. You could try switching your creamer for something lower calorie such as almond milk. Light roast coffees or cutting down how much you add may also be helpful ways of cutting back. However, remember both options should be consumed responsibly; too much caffeine may cause jitters, headaches and anxiety while excess sugar consumption may increase obesity risk and diabetes risks.