Whether you need that morning boost or that afternoon pick me up, we all reach for something to help us get through our day. Coffee & energy drinks are the most bought items to get that boost of energy, but which is more better for you? We have some pros & cons of both so you can decide.

Coffee

– Pros

• Coffee boosts your physical performance.  A cup of black coffee about a hour before working out can improve your performance by 11-12%.
• Coffee brightens your mood, helps fight depression and lowers risk of suicide. Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system and boosts production of neurotransmitters.
• Coffee protects your brain. High caffeine levels in your blood reduce the risk of Alzheimer disease. It also lowers risk of dementia.
• Coffee reduces risk of Parkinson’s disease. Studies have shown that regular coffee drinking decreases risk of Parkinson’s disease by 25 %. There’s evidence that coffee causes activity in the part of the brain affected by Parkinson’s.
• Coffee Improves Memory and Cognition
• Coffee reduces risk of stroke. Reasonable consumption of coffee (2–4 cups a day) is associated with lower risk of stroke.
• Coffee lowers risk of death. Studies have shown that coffee drinker’s overall risk of premature death is 25% lower than of those who don’t drink coffee.

Learn more about how coffee can help you.

– Cons

• Coffee can cause insomnia and restlessness.
• Don’t drink more than one cup a day if you’re pregnant. Studies on coffee’s effect on a fetus have been argumentative about whether it could cause problems. It’s better to stick with 1 cup of coffee a day  if you’re pregnant.
• Coffee Can Increase Osteoporosis. Coffee can cause the body to excrete calcium in urine which can be fixed with two tablespoons of milk or yogurt per cup of coffee.
• Coffee can kill you.  If you drink 80-100 cups (23 litres) in a session. This amount can be lethal.
• Coffee Causes Wrinkles.  If  you drink too much of it, it can cause wrinkling of the skin. This is a result of dehydration which is the worst thing for your skin.

Energy Drinks

– Pros

• Energy drinks give you an good energy boost one of the fastest methods for a pick me up.
• Vitamin B: improves mood and can fight cancer and heart disease
• Energy Drinks are Convenient Drinks you can easily pick them up on the go unlike brewing a cup of coffee or finding time for a nap.
• It Helps in Maximizing One’s Workouts.  Athletes are drinking energy drinks to maximize one’s workout as well as training.
• B12: Keeps your red blood cells and nerves healthy. Helps regulate the nervous system and maintain a healthy digestive system.
• Niacin: Helps relieve arthritis pains and lower blood lipids
• Pantothenic Acid: Helps with allergies, stress, anxiety and skin disorders.

– Cons

• Energy drinks carry a lot of sugar and sometimes be up to 13-14 teaspoons in amount.
• Energy drinks are NOT good for exercising. They will dehydrate you giving you less energy to workout.
• Can be very addicting
• Some reports of overdose have been found
• Jitters: Energy drinks can make you jittery and anxious