by Hugo Gonzalez and Cassidy Lucas
[singlepic id=55 w=150 h=150 float=left]It’s eleven PM on a Sunday night and you just lay down to go to sleep. You realize you have a paper due at the beginning of class tomorrow in first period and you’ve yet to start it. Reality sets in and you realize you need a quick source of energy since you’ll be pulling an all-nighter, hopefully completing your non-existent paper in time. You rush to the kitchen, throw on a pot of coffee, grab some food and grab an energy drink to fill your need of caffeine.
There are quite a few reasons as to why I condone the consumption of energy drinks and coffee. First of all, consuming either one is an instantaneous energy boost. When you are in a rush, we can’t lose time on alternatives. Second, they taste fabulous, and third, they’re completely convenient.
In Vancouver, you can’t drive five miles down the road without passing at least two coffee shops or gas stations. As high-school students, we seem to procrastinate rather often. If there’s a way to obtain energy fast in order to complete a task at the last minute, then by all means, take advantage of it. As far as health concerns go, it is completely one-hundred percent safe to consume energy drinks and coffee if you drink them in moderation. Of course too much of anything can harm your body but if you’re not drinking eight cups of coffee within a 3 hour period, you’ll be fine.
Drinking an energy drink is equivalent to drinking about four cans of soda, but the difference is instead of filling a can with carbonated water, caffeine, and sugar like soda does, energy drinks contain a significant amount of vitamin B which is a natural source of energy.
According to WebMD; coffee drinkers are far less likely to develop type 2 diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, dementia, less of a chance to develop certain types of cancer, heart rhythm problems, and strokes. Coffee is full of antioxidants, all positive nutrients to your body.
Energy drinks and coffee are two amazing resources of energy and should completely be utilized by people. Not only do I completely love the taste of coffee and energy drinks, but I also love the energy jolt it gives me Instantly perking me up when I’m tired. They’re great in all ways and have far more benefits than people think.
-Cassidy
[singlepic id=41 w=150 h=150 float=left]According to Dr. Joseph Mercola and Rachael Droege “American adult consumes over 10 pounds of coffee per year, which amounts to a total of 2.4 billion pounds a year in the United States alone.” I am not sure about everyone but I plan to live a long healthy life and at our age we shouldn’t needs stimulants to be energetic. “Most energy drinks contain at least as much caffeine as a standard eight-ounce cup of coffee” According to Dr. Edward group from global healing center; also that “caffeine can cause anxiety attacks, heart palpitations, and insomnia.” Its either you’re doing something you’re not supposed to be doing or you’re not prioritizing yourself and have to stay up, whatever way it may be I strongly disagree against these products.
I think the reason why most of our generation believes that we need energy drinks or coffee to stay up or accomplish anything, is because of the way it is sold to us in the media. For example look at the guy who jumped from the edge of space by slapping a giant red bull logo to the side of his helmet, it has given us the idea that we need more then ourselves to do something great and that is a lie. For example like Cassidy said “you can’t drive five miles down the road without passing at least two coffee shops or gas stations.” This is always giving us the option to go right ahead and use it as a reliable source of energy.
I believe then rather having a stimulant that gives you jitters to help you write that important paper that your grade relies on that a more in focus and clear head would prevail. Don’t quote me by it but I don’t believe Felix Baumgartner the guy from the space jump took a red bull before attempting his stunt, self motivation, determination and being organized is the best way to get things done Rather than waiting until half past midnight to remember an assignment. There are other things you can do to make sure your body is full of energy and ready for the day like consume more water or by getting more sleep!
“Although teenagers need an estimated nine to ten hours of sleep each night, many only get seven or eight hours of sleep on a regular basis” says Lily J. Tythan at live strong.com; I seriously believe the number one reason that these products are used is because of the lack of sleep. Difficulty waking in the morning, irritability during the afternoon, falling asleep during the day and having difficulty remembering or concentrating is the signs to sleep deprivation; oddly enough those signs are usual for the most of us aren’t they?
I am not saying that all people have time on their hands to waste but for the people who just take it for the taste and sheer rush and trend, learn to take care of your future self. All I am saying is that these products are damaging, not necessary and strongly disapprove of these products.
-Hugo