Graphic Courtesy of Tribune News Service – Weekly Personal Trainer graphic: Energy drinks.

By Alex Kirshner ‘18
THE ROUNDUP

Everyone reaches a point in their day where they struggle to keep their eyes open and would do anything to go home and go to sleep.

Sometimes, people turn to energy drinks such as RedBull and Monster to provide them with a boost of energy.

I have no problem with eating or drinking something that gives energy, but these drinks are very unhealthy, and in the long run aren’t worth the risks that they pose to the consumer.

A single 8-oz can of a Monster energy drink contains 27 grams of sugar and 86 milligrams of caffeine, not to mention a warning on the label against drinking more than 48 ounces per day, or four cans. An 8-oz cup of coffee, however, has 95 milligrams of caffeine, but no sugar, which makes it a healthier alternative.

There are over 100 flavors of monster, and their caffeine content can be as high as 190 milligrams of caffeine

Some side effects of a can of Monster include heart palpitations, nervousness and stomach irritability, amongst others.

There are other energy drinks that serve the same purpose as Monster, such as RedBull and 5 Hour Energy, and they all have the same effects.

When drinking an energy drink, the boost of energy that you get is artificial and short-lived.

The downside resembles a sugar crash, and once the effects of the drink wear off, the user is usually more tired than before the drink.

I have tried an energy drink before, and it felt as though I had taken a shot of caffeine.

I felt very jittery and had a stomach ache for around half an hour, and then I was just extremely tired and lethargic for the rest of the day.

There are several alternatives to these sugary beverages, all of which are healthier and provide more energy.

While it seems obvious, drinking water and eating healthy foods, such as proteins and vegetables, lead to a healthier and more effective energy boost that is completely natural.

For those that need some sort of artificial boost, a cup of coffee or tea will do the job with less sugar and caffeine than any energy drink.

At the end of the day, these energy drinks appeal to people who struggle to get through the day, but the long term and short term of these drinks are not worth the quick, ineffective boost of energy that they provide.