Which Is Better for Morning Energy?

Energy Drinks Usually Contain More Sugar

Plain, black coffee doesn’t contain sugar. Sugar in coffee drinks comes from added syrups, sugar packets, or sweetened creamers. Milk can also add sugar to coffee, but usually only in small amounts—unless it is sweetened.

Energy drinks, on the other hand, often contain a lot of added sugar unless they are purposefully low-sugar or sugar-free. One 8-oz can of Red Bull has 26 grams (g) of sugar, and one can of Rockstar contains 59 g of sugar. Many energy drink brands offer low-sugar or sugar-free versions of their products.

Energy Drinks Offer More of an Energy Boost

Thanks to their caffeine content, both coffee and energy drinks provide a perceived energy boost. Studies show that the high caffeine content of energy drinks increases alertness, memory, and mood. The sugar content of energy drinks may provide an additional (albeit short-term) energy boost. 

However, coffee may be better for sustained energy because drinkers sip it slowly.

Coffee is the Healthier Option

Plain coffee is a natural drink made of coffee beans and water. On the other hand, energy drinks are manufactured products to provide caffeine and often have additional ingredients, such as sugar, B vitamins, taurine, ginseng, and carnitine. 

Although plain coffee contains fewer ingredients, buying or preparing sweetened or specialty coffee drinks can quickly add to the list, including sugar, milk/cream, syrups, and other flavoring agents.

Coffee vs. Energy Drink Nutrition

The table below compares an 8-ounce serving of black coffee to the same-sized serving of an energy drink.

Nutrient	Black Coffee	Energy Drink
Calories	2 kcal	110-160 kcal
Caffeine	80-100 mg	70-160 mg
Sugar	0 g	24-37 g
Carbohydrates	0 g	28-40 g
Protein	0.3 g	1-2 g
Fats	0 g	0 g
B Vitamins	Minimal	High (B3, B6, B12)
Antioxidants	High	Low to moderate
Artificial Additives	None	Often present

Side Effects and Risks

For most adults, about 400 mg of caffeine a day generally doesn’t lead to negative effects. However, how much caffeine is tolerable can vary, and some people may be more sensitive to it than others.

Signs of having had too much caffeine include:

Mixing alcohol with energy drinks is a common and significant problem. Alcoholic beverages that contain energy drinks can lead to adverse health effects such as high blood pressure, dehydration, and irregular heartbeat, as well as increased risk of binge drinking, alcohol-impaired driving, injury, and unwanted or unprotected sex.

Risks for Children and Teens

Energy drink safety has been questioned for several years, especially for children and teens. Negative health associated with high caffeine intake and energy drink consumption includes:

• Serious cardiovascular problems, including heart attacks, in teenage boys
• Negative neurological and psychological effects, such as daily headaches
• Gastrointestinal and metabolic problems from the high sugar content
• Dehydration
• Dental erosion

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

By Emily Brown, MPH

Emily is a health communication consultant, writer, and editor at EVR Creative, specializing in public health research and health promotion. With a scientific background and a passion for creative writing, her work illustrates the value of evidence-based information and creativity in advancing public health.

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