Are energy drinks as bad as they seem?

With the hectic schedule that students endure to get through classes, students often turn to stimulants like coffee and energy drinks to get through the work, sometimes pulling all-nighters to study. This gives students an added boost of focus to accomplish most of the tasks they need.

Melissa Jimenez, freshman biology major, has started drinking energy drinks recently because of her schedule.

“I’m a college student and I’m usually tired. I started drinking them this year, but the main reason why is because I realized I was always falling asleep in my 8 a.m. classes. My last class is around 5 p.m. so I had to start drinking them,” Jimenez said.

PHOTO BY DANNA BERTEL. An NSU student grabs a Celsius from The Market in the Don Taft University Center.

These energy drinks, such as the commonly consumed ones on campus being Celsius, Monster, and Red Bull, typically contain high concentrations of caffeine and sugar to give that buzz feeling. Since caffeine stimulates the nervous system, it is classified as a drug.

But is it unhealthy as the connotation may make it seem?

Jose Antonio, Ph.D., professor of exercise and sport science, has 125 peer-reviewed published scientific papers on sports nutrition and exercise physiology. He recommends a safe threshold for daily caffeine consumption.

“Energy drinks, coffee, etc., it’s best not to exceed seven milligrams of caffeine per kilogram of body weight. Overall, energy drinks, like caffeine-based drinks, are safe,” Antonio said.

This means that for an individual weighing around 70 kilograms, or 154 pounds, a safe amount of caffeine to consume a day is around 490 milligrams. A 12-fluid-ounce can of Celsius HEAT contains 300 milligrams of caffeine per can, which is around 61% of a safe and recommended daily caffeine intake.

When consumed in moderation, energy drinks are fine.

This is a relief to some students who have made drinking energy diets part of their daily routine.

“I have heard that Celsius does something with your heart that isn’t good, but I don’t know for sure. People continue to drink it and so do I,” said Jonathan Covert, sophomore biology and pre-nursing major.