Introduction

When waking up in the morning or feeling tired due to work, the first thing you will look for to recharge your body is a drink that boosts your energy. Coffee and energy drinks are the best choices for energy-boosting drinks. While all you might need is a hefty dose of caffeine, how you get that caffeine really matters. Coffee and energy drinks are rich in caffeine, but the way they are made is completely different.

Coffee - the Natural Energy Booster

Pure coffee has one ingredient: coffee beans. It is completely natural and has little to no preservatives or additives in it. It also has healthy nutrients such as vitamin B12 and B5, potassium, niacin, and magnesium. Pure coffee also has no calories. 

With coffee, you have complete control over how you want to drink it. You can have it light or strong according to your preference. If you are looking for a sugar-free drink, you can limit the amount of sugar you add to your coffee. If you are someone who doesn’t want to add dairy products to their diet, you have the choice of using soy milk or almond milk instead of whole milk. In short, you have complete control over how you want your cup of coffee to taste and what ingredients you want to add to it. 

Did you know? The caffeine content of your coffee can range from 50 to 400 mg. Many sources recommend that 400 mg of caffeine per day is the upper limit for healthy adults.

Energy Drink - for the Sudden Rush

An energy drink is any beverage that contains high levels of stimulant compounds, usually caffeine, sugar, and other supplements such as vitamins or carnitine. It is marketed as enhancing mental alertness and physical performance. It differs from sports drinks, which replace water and electrolytes during or after physical activity. 

Although some energy drinks can be considered beverages, others, especially those containing food additives (taurine or amino acids), may be considered dietary supplements. Some examples of energy drinks include Red Bull, Monster, Rockstar, etc. Some of the common ingredients used in energy drinks are;

• Caffeine
• Ginseng
• B vitamins (B12, B6, B3)
• Sugar
• Carnitine
• Taurine
• Green tea extract
• Guarana

Coffee vs Energy Drinks - A Comparison

Now that we have seen an outline of what coffee and energy drink is, it is time for us to compare them in certain aspects. Only by doing a thorough comparison can we decide which is better and choose the one that suits us best.

Caffeine Content

Caffeine is the world’s most commonly used stimulant. When ingested, it makes your brain become more alert and attentive. However, too much caffeine can disrupt your sleep patterns and cause jitters and anxiousness. So it is recommended that you do not exceed the 400mg per day limit. 

Caffeine in Coffee

On average, a regular cup of coffee has around 80-100 mg of caffeine. So, consuming 4 to 5 cups of coffee daily can be considered healthy.

Caffeine in Energy Drinks

The caffeine content in energy drinks differs from brand to brand. But generally, they contain approximately the same amount of caffeine as that of a regular cup of coffee.

Sugar Level

Sugar is arguably the most addicting substance on the market. There are very few people who don't like sugar in their meals. But, too much sugar intake can lead to obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. So it is essential to pay attention to the amount of sugar our favourite daily drinks contain.

Sugar Level in Coffee

The sugar level in coffee depends completely on the amount of sugar you wish to add to your coffee. Coffee itself is sugar-free. You can add sugar to your preference, and if you are someone who enjoys pure black coffee, you can skip sugar altogether. 

Sugar Level in Energy Drinks

Aside from caffeine, energy drinks usually have a ton of sugar, which will become harmful in the long run. A typical energy drink has up to 26 grams of sugar. Some drinks even have up to 54 grams of sugar. Even if they are ‘sugar-free’ energy drinks, artificial sweeteners like aspartame can still be somewhat harmful to you.

Calories

A calorie is a unit of energy that you consume through food and drinks. The more calories a food has, the more energy it can provide to your body. When you eat more calories than you need, your body stores the extra calories as body fat. We burn off calories through physical exercise. 

Calories in Coffee

Since coffee is mostly water, it has few calories. A shot of espresso has an average of 2 calories. A cup of coffee has about 5 calories. Of course, the calorie rate increases as you start adding milk and sugar. But at least you have control over the calorie content of the coffee. 

Calories in Energy Drinks

Energy drinks are basically calorie packed. Most energy drinks have a calorie count of up to 200 calories. It is worth noting that most of those calories come from sugar. 

Other Ingredients

Other Ingredients in Coffee

Coffee is packed with essential nutrients such as vitamins B12 and B5, potassium, niacin, and magnesium. Many types of coffee have little to no preservatives or additives. This is an excellent choice if you like to limit the amount of food and drinks you have. The coffee beans you buy and grind on your own often have zero additives or preservatives.

Other Ingredients in Energy Drinks

While energy drinks do have vitamins, they also contain many artificial ingredients. They include ingredients such as preservatives, artificial flavourings and even dyes, which are unhealthy for our bodies. Unlike coffee, energy drinks do have taurine and ginseng. However, your body doesn’t actually need those ingredients.

Taste

Taste is a personal thing. It differs from person to person. Some people love the taste of instant coffee first thing in the morning, while others wait in line to get a cup of latte and cappuccino. Similarly, energy drinks are also based on the preferences of the people. The taste of coffee can vary from bitter to bitter-sweet, and energy drinks have a bit of an acidic flavour to them. It all depends on whether your taste buds like them or not.

Price

Now, this depends on whether you are willing to spend your money on your preferred drink. Coffee has an affordable price and can be drunk every day. Energy drinks, however, are more suitable for occasional drinking.

Coffee price

Coffee is generally more affordable, and the price ranges between Rs. 50 and Rs. 200. You can buy coffee grounds from markets or go for readymade coffee in cafes. The price of coffee differs from one cafe to another.

Energy Drink Price

Energy drinks are generally more expensive than coffee. They have a fixed price and range between Rs. 100 to Rs. 500. Some drinks may even cost up to Rs. 1000.

Premium Coffee for a Premium Lifestyle:

So far, we have seen how coffee and energy drinks differ from one another and how they can affect your health. If you are a coffee lover and are looking for a coffee brand that provides quality coffee grounds, we at Levista are here for you. 

With over 60 years of experience in the coffee industry, we are a world-class brand aiming to produce fresh, high-quality coffee powders for our customers. Our 100% pure coffee powder is made from the finest Arabica and Robusta beans that go through an artisanal roasting process to give you the perfect coffee experience. 

We offer you three choices of classic, premium and strong instant coffee. Whatever type of coffee you find that suits your taste, Levista has it for you.

For further information and insights on our coffee history and products, visit here

Conclusion: Which is better?

Considering that coffee has less sugar and more natural health boosters, it is the best choice for those who follow a healthy lifestyle. However, if you want something to drink on the go and have a quick boost of energy, energy drinks are a better choice. It all depends upon your lifestyle and your personal preferences.

Is it okay to drink energy drinks instead of coffee?

According to studies, a cup of coffee boosts attention just as well as energy drinks. One 16-ounce energy drink has the potential to harm a healthy young adult by raising blood pressure and stress hormones.

What is healthier than an energy drink?

When consumed in moderation, caffeine is a totally healthy approach to boost energy. Even so, dietitians advise against using energy drinks and instead favour coffee and tea.

Who should avoid energy drinks?

Energy drinks should be completely avoided by pregnant and nursing women, young children and teenagers, and those with heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, anxiety, or insomnia.

Is coffee good for health daily?

Yes, it is. Moderate coffee intake (3-4 cups per day) has been associated with various health benefits, including a reduced risk of certain cancers, type 2 diabetes, and liver disease.

How much coffee a day is safe?

For healthy individuals, 400 milligrammes per day—roughly four or five cups of coffee—is a safe dosage with no harmful or hazardous side effects.