Energy Drinks to Replace Coffee as America's Pick Me Up?

in a world of starbucks and redbulls... i feel like i am one of the only people who does not resort to coffee or energy drinks to kick-start my drowsy mornings... if i am feeling tired... rather than down a can of redbull (or other energy drink) i'd much rather take a nap... and if time or circumstances require me to function at maximum capacity [even if i am feeling like i'm ready to pass out] i will simply drink a glass of Orange Juice or Apple Juice (or just some plain cold water)

I'm tired right now and am about to get a Starbucks. Would be cool to take a nap, but usually only have time to sleep when it is bedtime. I like energy drinks, but definitely choose coffee as the extreme carbonation in energy drinks totally corrodes teeth (and bones...)--even more so than sodas do. Also, coffee has antioxidants

I'm more of a coffee person in the morning, but i had no idea it had so many calories. And before practice I tend to down an energy drink for that extra lift I need to play my best. I wish I had enough time in a night and day to be well rested, ever! Energy supplement of some sort is an absolute necessity for my busy lifestyle. I just hope someone will just tell me what is the best, healthiest energy supplement.

http://www.wellsphere.com/viewActivityPosting.s?articleId=2160&activityTypeId=507 I love this post because this is a huge topic that has been over looked. Energy Drinks have become a billion dollar industry, and coffee... well duh! I personally really enjoy my energy drinks and despise the feeling coffee gives me after drinking it. The three B's (Buzzed, Blowded, and Burned Out) Well I also made a link to a group I just created for people that share my love for the Energy Drink. I'd love it if everyone would join! http://www.wellsphere.com/viewActivityPosting.s?articleId=2160&activityTypeId=507

http://www.wellsphere.com/viewGroup.s?id=113

Here's a group I made for all the coffee lovers out there... http://www.wellsphere.com/viewGroup.s?id=114

I prefer coffee, or just juice as Dmitriy suggested. I don't care for the taste of Red Bull - if I had to chose, I would go with Rock Star. I'm just not comfortable drinking them because there is so much hype around energy drinks and the harms. Nikki, mentioned coffee has antioxidants, so I did a little research. Quite a few sources, including the Coffee Science Information organization, stated that coffee, along with tea, cocoa, and red wine, contain antioxidants, but coffee contains 4x as much as tea.

Whatever. In any case, it's coffee all the way, baby! Or, water, too. Coffee is an ancient, earthy, smooth, comforting liquid that I enjoy not for the pick-me-up (caffeine doesn't effect me), but for the taste. I'm a bit of a coffee snob; we're spoiled here in San Francisco with great coffee choices, made locally and from around the world - and, with lots of fair trade options! SF is the true coffee capital of the US; Seattle learned their trade from us (ex. the Starbucks' owner worked and learned from the Peet's owner, though Starbucks still has a LONG way to go...). Thanks for the interesting post!

When i want a boost of energy and few (aka 0) calories, i reach not for coffee or red bull, but good ol H 2 the O. Thats right folks water is where its at! Altho i have noticed a ton more ppl goin for those energy drinks. As dumb as it sounds, Ive even heard of red bull parties haha, to get that red bull 'buzz goin'.

I would rather drink a red bull during the summer and spring when the weather is hot. It gives energey and also is a cold drink. i would probably prefer coffee during the winter times though.

By comparing the three you can find that coffee brewed from grounds is the most "natural" and healthy for you. Althought people may feel more of a buzz from an energy drink I believe it is somewhat a mental thing. When drinking a fancy drink from starbucks you are adding unwanted sugars and fats even if you order a sugarfree non-fat drink...the coffee beans are previously processed. Also, if you read the label of an energy drink you will find that there are many unknown ingredients that you have no idea what they are, or what they could do to your body. I think that brewed coffee is the healthies and best "pick me up" in moderation.

I love the article but I have to say, it isn't about the cost for those of us who are coffee drinkers first and foremost. I will pay double the price for the first cup of coffee, or I will drink watered down coffee or mud coffee - it doesn't matter. A hot cup of coffee first thing in the morning is what I have been doing most of my life. To change to a drink such as Red Bull? Are you nuts. I consider these drinks as just pure sugar - end of story. Am I old Fashioned? No. I won't even drink Red Bull if I were exhausted. I would never drink Red Bull - maybe taste it because I think I'm open minded, but I won't take a handful of sugar to swallow just because everybody else is doing it. So, I love coffee, and I think I don't like Red Bull. So, it is just preference for me.

as i sip my tall starbucks coffee as i type this, i have to agree with coffee aficionados and go for coffee over energy drinks. fantastic article -- interesting stuff!!

Coffee is better because its yummy, and you can make it at home for cheaper. And its yummmmyyy!!!

red bull is good for late night sessions of writing or doing things on your computer, but too much of it drives my brain crazy. coffee is my addiction, so i pick coffee.

I've always liked energy drinks more and plus they are cheaper

tea's my energy drink of choice, no artificial flavors and preservatives and it tastes better than coffee

You say you like energy drinks, but you shouldn't chose them over coffee because they're cheaper - that's like saying you would rather drink/eat something unhealthy because it's cheaper. Is that really a good way to decide what goes into your body?

For sure energy drinks like red bull. Who can go from a strenuous work out directly to an all nighter without a red bull? Its a shame that there are people out there who have no idea what exactly they put into their bodies, like the number of calories in most coffee drinks. Sure bottling plants, and energy drink companies employ basically indentured servant labor from developing countries and the global blue collar scene, but the coffee industry throughout its history which continues to this day to basically enslave a considerable portion of the earths population especially in the Caribbean, as well Central and South America to to the bidding of a company and forsake their families and communities interests and forgo financial independence. Of course Red Bull and Starbucks may be equally to blame for the economic dependence of foreign countries on American Corporate business. In my experience there has been a well defined direct link between coffee drinking and addiction to coffee, and I have not heard of anyone dependent on energy drinks to make it through daily life, energy drinks in my experience are used a a means of recovering what the human body naturally uses and losses in exercise or strain. Where as coffee is primarily used as a crutch for those who do not practice healthy sleeping habits, and struggle to wake up in the morning. Guess I have just been conditioned and programmed to be anti-coffee because if its impact on my family, and my experiences, and observances as a world traveler, but who knows, maybe it isn't so bad.

awesome topic Ben, i look forward to more of your posts.