When 2 PM comes at job sites many people reach for aether more coffee or some kind of energy drink like for example Red Bull. While doing this is generally fine as long as you’re not hypersensitive to caffeine there lies a question which one is actually better for your health and better for increase in your energy.
The answer is without doubt – coffee.
8 oz of drip coffee without sugar contains about 150 milligrams of caffeine. That is usually enough to increase energy in every person substantially higher than Red Bull that has only 80 milligrams of caffeine.
Coffee in it’s natural form is rich in antioxidants and is generally considered good for your health. It is the N# 1 source of antioxidants for Americans, since many didn’t discover better one, like fruits and vegetables and imagining mornings without coffee is impossible.
There is some evidence that coffee drinkers are more intelligent people and those who drink coffee have less probability of being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and diabetes.
I don’t know how much true this evidences hold, but considering, that coffee is a natural product coming straight from nature and it is not abused, I agree that it is good for human health.
How about Red Bull and other energy drinks?
With only 80 mg of caffeine and loaded with 27 grams of sugar (diet one doesn’t have any sugar but contains artificial sweetener aspartame, which is a dangerous chemical in my world) and 1000 mg of taurine the chemical, that is actually prohibited in some countries like France or Norway and a whole bunch of color and taste enhancing chemicals, these Austrian made energy drink and others are among the worst things you could pollute your body with.
Yes taurine as well as glucuronolactone (also in red bull and other energy drinks) helps to improve firing between nerve synapses so you’re more alert, improves memory and concentration, but caffeine does the same thing. And there are some unanswered questions about high levels of taurine in human body and health dangers.
So when you need a energy boost and you’re deciding which one to go with – energy drink like Red Bull or coffee, go for coffee. Skip that shiny can of energy drink that says it will give you more energy , because in the long run it will probably take some of your life energy away.