Whether it’s the night of an exam or weeks before a really important test, you’re gonna wanna hit the books and review everything you’ve been taught. And during these nights of constant reading and memorizing, you’re going to need a trusty can of an energy drink by your side.
After all, studying can get a bit draining sometimes and you’re gonna need a way to get back all that energy. The question is: which energy drink can you trust to help you with studying?
For a quick answer, I’ve found that Red Bull, Monster Energy, and Coca-Cola Energy Drink are the drinks that help me the most when it comes to focusing, concentrating, and staying awake. Perfect for a late night of studying.
For more insight, keep going.
Contents
Why Do People Drink Energy Drinks?
People drink energy drinks because of the many benefits the drinks claim to have. Benefits like replenishing energy, and improving physical and mental performance. Also, some just like the taste.
In a fast-paced society where it’s becoming more of a norm to prioritize work and studies rather than health in order to not get left behind, energy drinks are a popular go-to for energy boosts.
It’s important for people to keep their energy up while they buzz around like the busy bee they are and not get tired.
Energy drinks serve as a lifeline for others to alleviate their tiredness and vitalize focus and energy for the rest of their day.
Do Energy Drinks Help You Focus?
It has been proven in studies that energy drinks like Red Bull can boost cognitive performance, thus better focus and concentration, so as long as you drink a healthy amount, energy drinks can help you focus.
When studying, it’s vital to keep your mind on one thing, specifically one topic, so you don’t end up overwhelming yourself.
Energy drinks are filled with ingredients like caffeine and taurine which can be helpful in keeping your brain on the road to focus on what needs to be done.
However, you don’t want to overdo it and end up getting the negative side effects of energy drinks like anxiety and jitters, both of which can hinder your studies, so you might wanna pace yourself and drink a reasonable amount.
If you’re interested in energy drinks that are least likely to give you the jitters, here’s an article I wrote listing the drinks that I think won’t give you that side effect. Check it out!
Do Energy Drinks Make You Smarter?
Energy drinks can improve your cognitive function thus making you ‘smarter’, however, this does not mean drinking energy drinks will turn you into Albert Einstein.
There are certain ingredients in these drinks that help your brain function but only to an extent. This does not mean that if you take an energy drink before a test, the answers of the universe start to present themselves to you and you miraculously ace said test.
It’s important to drink these drinks moderately while studying. Drink responsibly and stay in school, kids.
Do Energy Drinks Help With Studying?
Energy drinks can help you with studying by improving your focus and concentration.
The caffeine found in energy drinks stimulates your nervous system, which then gives you a boost in your energy levels and mental performance as long as you get the dosage right.
Always remember that the approved caffeine limit by the FDA is 400mg. Anything above that might be detrimental to your health.
Studies have proved that caffeine helps students improve brain function like memory, concentration, and reaction time, while also reducing mental fatigue.
Energy drinks might be a great pick-me-up when you’re pulling an all-nighter to study, but that doesn’t mean you should be dependent only on energy drinks and forgetting about other factors to enhance your mental performance better.
To know more about energy drinks, here’s a video by NutritionFacts.org:
Other factors that can greatly enhance your concentration include:
- Getting a decent amount of sleep
- Taking breaks
- Eating a balanced and healthy diet
- Trying meditation
- Eliminating distractions
- Using time blocks
Energy Drinks Notable Ingredients
Now that we’ve gone over energy drinks and where they are used, let’s go over the common ingredients found in energy drinks and how each helps and contributes to the revitalization and boosting of energy.
Caffeine
Caffeine is the star ingredient of most energy drinks. Why? Because it has the ability to prompt your nerves, particularly binding your adenosine receptors that reduces your drowsiness and makes you feel more awake and alert.
The caffeine molecules act as a stimulant that affects adenosine (a molecule produced by humans with various functions in the body).
As caffeine binds to adenosine receptors, it actually makes the neurons fire more. The pituary glands on the brain, which regulates the release of many hormones, takes this increase in in activity as a signal to release hormones to produce adrenaline or epinephrine. The adrenaline release leads to other common effects associated with caffeine, such as the heart beating faster or feeling excited.
– chem.ku.edu
That being said, caffeine can be beneficial from time to time when it needs to be. But overconsumption of caffeine is not good as how its benefits sound.
The FDA approved a daily limit intake of 400mg of caffeine. And going over the limit may cause you some adverse effects, especially if you have a low caffeine tolerance.
Some of these are:
- Anxiety
- Jitters
- Inability to focus
- Gastrointestinal discomfort
- Insomnia
- Irritability
- Heart palpitations
As such, it’s best to be mindful of your overall caffeine intake and avoid having too many caffeinated drinks in a short period of time.
Sugar
Sugar is also common in energy drinks. But some energy drinks nowadays use artificial sweeteners as they are much safer to use while it provides no caloric components.
The AHA recommends 9 teaspoons or 36 grams for men per day and 6 teaspoons or 25 grams for women per day.
Anything more than that might give your health adverse effects such as:
- High Blood Sugar
- Acne
- Irritability
- Increased Blood Pressure
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Heart Problems
- Weight gain/obesity
Taurine
An amino acid, taurine, has a long list of potential benefits that come along with it.
Because of its cognitive function advantages, taurine is increasingly being included in the composition of energy beverages.
Taurine is plenty in areas like the brain, heart, and platelets, and can be found in foods like meat, fish, and eggs. Despite the many rumors floating around about where the taurine in energy drinks is derived, it is actually synthetically sourced.
Among the potential benefits of taurine include:
- Promoting metabolism
- Protecting the eyes
- Protecting the heart
- Improved exercise performance
How can I get energy to study?
There are several ways to boost your energy and improve focus while studying. Here are some tips:
- Get enough sleep: It’s important to get enough sleep to avoid feeling tired and sluggish during the day. Aim for at least 7-8 hours of sleep per night.
- Stay hydrated: Dehydration can cause fatigue and decreased mental clarity. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated.
- Eat a balanced diet: Eating a balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains can provide the nutrients your body needs for sustained energy and focus.
- Take breaks: Taking short breaks during study sessions can help you stay focused and avoid burnout.
- Exercise: Regular exercise can boost energy levels and improve cognitive function, so try to incorporate physical activity into your daily routine.
- Use natural energy boosters: Certain foods and supplements can naturally boost energy levels and improve focus, such as green tea, dark chocolate, and omega-3 fatty acids.
Overall, it’s important to take care of your physical and mental health in order to maintain sustained energy and focus while studying.
Will Redbull help me study?
Red Bull and other energy drinks contain high levels of caffeine and other stimulants that can provide a short-term boost in energy and alertness. While this may be helpful for some people when studying, it’s important to note that the effects of caffeine can vary between individuals and can also have negative side effects such as jitters, nervousness, and difficulty sleeping.
Additionally, consuming energy drinks should be done in moderation, as they can be high in sugar and calories, which can lead to weight gain and other negative health effects over time.
Is it safe to drink energy drinks?
When consumed in moderation, energy drinks are generally considered safe for healthy adults. However, excessive consumption of energy drinks can lead to negative side effects such as jitters, nervousness, increased heart rate and blood pressure, dehydration, and difficulty sleeping.
Additionally, people with certain health conditions such as heart problems or high blood pressure should be cautious when consuming energy drinks, as the high caffeine content can be dangerous.
It’s also important to note that energy drinks are not a replacement for healthy habits like getting enough sleep, eating a balanced diet, and staying hydrated. While energy drinks can provide a temporary boost in energy and alertness, relying on them regularly can lead to dependency and negative health effects over time.
Best Energy Drinks for Studying
Now you have an overview of these common ingredients found in energy drinks, Let now go over to some of the best energy drinks suitable for studying.
But before that, we might want to remember the daily limit intake to make sure consumption is safe while still providing the concentration and boost you need.
Here’s a table of the daily limit intake of the following:
| Daily Limit Intake | |
| Sugar | 24g for women/36g for men |
| Caffeine | 400mg |
| Calories | 2000 kcal for women/2500 kcal for men |
Now that’s out of the way, enter the best energy drinks for studying…
Red Bull
| Red Bull (8.4 fl. oz) | |
| Sugar | 27mg |
| Caffeine | 80mg |
| Calories | 110 calories |
Red Bull is the most popular energy drink on the market and has long been recognized as one of the most recognizable brands in the business.
These drinks are designed to increase concentration for a short amount of time, making them ideal for studying. Furthermore, they can fit the task’s mental and performance needs at the moment.
Monster Energy
| Monster Energy (16 fl. oz) | |
| Sugar | 54g |
| Caffeine | 160mg |
| Calories | 210 calories |
Monster, with its 160mg of caffeine, is enough to keep you going during any hard physical activity, whether it’s working out, sports, or even a laser focus session of studying.
Coca-Cola Energy Drink
| Coca-Cola Energy (12 fl. oz) | |
| Sugar | 39g |
| Caffeine | 114mg |
| Calories | 140 calories |
The only energy drink with a delicious Coca-Cola flavor! Coca-Cola Energy is designed to complement your lively and busy life, with caffeine sourced from natural sources, guarana extracts, and B vitamins, and it is totally taurine-free.
If you’re a fan of Coca-Cola then this energy drink will surely help your morale while you trudge the pages of your textbook!
Alternatives to Energy Drinks
Now, these drinks are just some of my best picks, and I chose them based on their caffeine and calorie content. You see, I’m a person who has a low caffeine tolerance. That’s why I prefer energy drinks with less caffeine. Otherwise, I experience adverse effects such as being jittery and palpitations.
And of course, we have different reactions to caffeine, and you can always do your research on which energy drinks suit you based on your diet or health preferences.
Besides energy drinks, there are also foods that are rich in vitamins and minerals that are big factors in concentration and mental performance that you can munch on while you study. Here are some of them:
- Fatty Fish
- Blueberries
- Broccoli
- Pumpkin Seeds
- Chocolate
- Nuts
- Oranges
- Eggs
Final Thoughts
Studying takes a lot of mental and physical energy, which is why it is necessary to have an energy booster by your side when you’re preparing for an exam or simply just reviewing your notes.
Energy drinks can help with studying but if taken irresponsibly, they might bring negative effects to your health that may result in poor academic performance, so while energy drinks can be your best buds on a night nose-deep in textbooks, they could also be your worst enemy if you decide to abuse it.
Be wary of its contents, take note of the advised limits by health officials, and pace yourself when drinking energy drinks. It’s good to be awake for the study, but it’d be bad if you ended up crashing during the actual day of the exam.
I hope you find this article helpful! Happy studying and good luck!