Energy Drinks vs Old School Coffee
Tags: energy, stimulants, energy drinks, coffee

Energy Drinks vs Old School Coffee Coffee has long held a monopoly over other caffeinated beverages, but now it's facing strong competition from an increase in demand and sales of energy drinks. Consumers are starting to ask: Which is better?, Which is healthier?, and of course Which will give me the most energy? Coffee is the original energy booster, containing enough caffeine to lift our energy levels and help jumpstart our days. Coffee goods are the second hottest item in the world market owing to these positive effects. Most of us feel as if we can not function without our morning companion; I know I can't go a full day without my Starbucks. But recent alternatives are tempting and getting more popular. Many friends of mine have done the trade-off and now require a Red Bull in the afternoon. I've been thinking of making the switch, so I did a little research. I decided to compare my Starbucks favorite, Iced White Chocolate Mocha, to my choice energy drink, Red Bull (Not the sugar free one, that's a different comparison). Grande Caffe Mocha Price: $3.69 Calories: 340 Carb: 55 g Sugars: 52 g Caffeine: 150 mg Red Bull Price: $1.99 Calories: 115 Carb: 28 g Sugars: 26 g Caffeine: 77 mg So what does this mean? The coffee is higher in cals, but also higher in caffeine. And caffeine is what we're going after, isn't it? So basically, it's split between the energy drink supporters and the old-school coffee drinkers. I'm interested to hear everyone's opinion.
on 2/27/2008

1 - 25 out of 25
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Mitch “ 2 to 3 red bulls and then go to bed? that's crazy ”
-  Mitch on 3/28/2008 in response to jules
jules “ I’m definitely a coffee girl – black with splenda. I get up early so I can have my coffee before running. I used to be a sugar free red bull fan, but it no longer has any effect on me (weirdly) I can drink 2 or 3 then go right to bed. (think my body adapted to it from consuming way too much during my thesis)
This is an interesting article on how caffeine can reduce muscle soreness post workout:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/01/070109172152.htm
This is an article on one perspective that caffeine in fact doesn’t really dehydrate you:
http://www.ific.org/foodinsight/2002/ja/caffdehydnbfi402.cfm ”
-  jules on 3/27/2008
Mitch “ I might look into 5 hour energy. I don't know much about it. I'm going to do some research and possibly post another blog. Energy drinks and coffee seems to be a hot topic. ”
-  Mitch on 3/2/2008 in response to Ron
kettlebell27 “ When I first drank coffee, I had to use a ton of sugar & creamer to get myself into it, but after a while, I grew to the taste of straight-up black coffee. I also believe that per ounce, coffee's got more caffeine than tea does. I think on a cup vs cup basis, tea is around 80mg and coffee's 200mg. ”
-  kettlebell27 on 2/29/2008 in response to Mitch
Ron “ I was hoping there'd be some info about 5 Hour Energy. I've been curious about that one. ”
-  Ron on 2/29/2008
Ron “ I believe that coffee has more caffeine that tea. However, I recently read (sorry, can't recall where) that tea will give a more gradual release and, thus, last longer...or something like that. ”
-  Ron on 2/29/2008 in response to LoiacanoA
Ron “ I used to put vanilla protein powder into Tazo "Awake" black tea. It wasn't bad. ”
-  Ron on 2/29/2008 in response to Mitch
Mitch “ I don't get how you do the black coffee thing, but more power to you. Yea, i need caffeine to get through the day too. I mix it up with energy drinks and regular coffee. I know, i'm weak, i put milk and splenda in my coffee. ”
-  Mitch on 2/29/2008 in response to kettlebell27
kettlebell27 “ I'm a black coffee guy for the most part. I will put in sugars & creamers now & then for a twist. I used to drink a lot of coffee at one time, but now its down to just my morning breakfast times, and maybe a cup later in the day. Where I work, pop is king on break time, so I am unfortunately getting hooked on Dew again. ”
-  kettlebell27 on 2/29/2008
Mitch “ Good research plucky. Breaking down the proteins before consumption might actually make it even healthier for you. ”
-  Mitch on 2/28/2008 in response to plucky
plucky “ Just in case you're wondering... I asked a PhD nutrition expert if I was somehow negating the value of the protein by adding it to the coffee, and she said worst-case the heat from the coffee might break down the protein into amino acids, but your body will do that anyway - so no harm done. ”
-  plucky on 2/28/2008 in response to Mitch
Mitch “ protein powder in coffee sounds interesting. I might experiment with that and try different flavors. ”
-  Mitch on 2/28/2008 in response to plucky
Mitch “ loi, coffee has more than tea. I'm not sure how much. ”
-  Mitch on 2/28/2008 in response to LoiacanoA
Mitch “ i agree beach babe, the diet ones taste better and are probably better for you. ”
-  Mitch on 2/28/2008 in response to fitbeachbabe
Mitch “ that is funny troy.. good lesson from your dad ”
-  Mitch on 2/28/2008 in response to tdotross3
plucky “ I think the coffee is getting a bad rap in this comparison. Sraight up black coffee like tdotross drinks has 0 fat, 0 carbs, 0 cholesterol, pretty much 0 nutritional value, except 2 calories per 8 oz serving. The trouble starts with the white chocolate, whipped cream, flavored syrup, ...

What I've been doing lately is mix a splash of milk with a scoop of vanilla-flavored protein powder, top off with coffee, stir, and enjoy! It might sound strange at first, but now if I have a cup of 'regular' coffee, it just doesn't seem right. ”
-  plucky on 2/28/2008
LoiacanoA “ how about coffee vs. tea? which has more caffiene? ”
-  LoiacanoA on 2/28/2008
tdotross3 “ nope, str8 up, i kinda took the mentality from my dad who would say "why put sugar and cream in coffee.. if you want a soda, have a soda"... kinda made sense to me ”
-  tdotross3 on 2/28/2008 in response to Mitch
fitbeachbabe “ Yes, the diet kind. It's less syrup-y tasting. I used to be addicted (like 3-4 a day), but now I only allow myself one every once in a blue moon...and I don't drink any other caffeine other than the occasional green tea, so it's effects are pretty crazy on me! haha. ”
-  fitbeachbabe on 2/28/2008 in response to Mitch
Mitch “ I agree beach babe, is rockstar your favorite energy drink? ”
-  Mitch on 2/28/2008 in response to fitbeachbabe
Mitch “ really troy? I've never understood those who drink that. Do you put sugar in it? ”
-  Mitch on 2/28/2008 in response to tdotross3
fitbeachbabe “ Well...since this is a fitness site, I would say...go with the energy drink based on the dramatic decrease in carbs (50%!). Plus, it may not have as much caffiene, but many energy drinks on the market have ginseng, gingko biloba, Taurine, and Gaurana...all energy boosters. I just had a Diet Rockstar this morning and I was jittery! I also am not a regular caffeine drinker though, so I'm sure the effects on me are a tad more sensitive. ”
-  fitbeachbabe on 2/27/2008
tdotross3 “ i prefer straight black coffee ”
-  tdotross3 on 2/27/2008
Mitch “ Yea, i'm an energy drink fan lately as well. ”
-  Mitch on 2/27/2008 in response to MleighS84
MleighS84 “ i personally work off natural energy :) but if i had to pick an energy drink is the way to go - less calories is the way to go ”
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