By Ame Phitwong
Coffee has become a staple in many college students' diets and a quick fix for energy. But as more products are released and the buzz about coffee gets old, students are looking at other alternatives to the bitter-tasting refreshment.
"(Coffee) doesn't help for what I need it to do," senior Eric Pak said about his decision to not drink coffee. Pak explained that he needed a beverage that could keep him awake, especially for late nights so he could study or do homework.
"I like Monster, but I'll pretty much drink anything but coffee." Pak said he is not too concerned about the risk factors of consuming energy drinks and is aware that caffeine is bad. He compensates by ordering water when he goes out to eat at restaurants.
The Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse and Violence Prevention said that energy drinks become very dangerous when mixed with alcohol or exercise.
The center said the risk factors are dehydration, insomnia, headaches, nervousness, nosebleeds and vomiting. They also stated that there have been reports claiming that energy drinks have caused seizures, heart arrhythmias and even death.
According to an article from the Associated Press, more than 500 energy drinks were introduced worldwide this year. Some of these energy drinks promise weight loss, increased endurance and advertise "legal highs."
Last year, the energy drink industry increased by 80 percent and generated $3.4 billion a year. It also appeared that most brands targeted males who were in their teens and 20s.
Senior John Tagavilla is a big fan of the energy drink Amp.
"(Amp) actually keeps you going. There's lots of sugar and it gives you a lot of adrenaline. Coffee has a bitter taste, but the energy drinks have sweeteners so they taste better."
The Associated Press article explained the different origins of that extra boost of energy and adrenaline. It said that the caffeine in energy drinks comes from multiple sources, some with B vitamins that have been known to cause an increase in heart rate and numbness and tingling in high doses.
A study done by the University of Florida found two to four times more caffeine in energy drinks than Coke, even though some energy drinks were supplied in smaller cans.
Despite his love for the drink, Tagavilla said he had a bad experience because of over consumption.
"One time I drank three cans for PT (physical training for ROTC). It increased my heart rate dramatically and I ended up puking," Tagavilla said. Since that experience, Tagavilla has learned to not exceed his body's perceived limit of three cans of Amp.
Another alternative to coffee that has had reports of healthier benefits is tea. Senior Cherie Umeda prefers to drink chai or green tea for caffeine instead.
A study done by the Journal of the American Medical Association announced that drinking green tea provided protection from stroke. Green tea contains high amounts of a powerful antioxidant called EGCG.
Some antioxidants are known to stabilize free radicals in the body. This stabilization prevents DNA damage that could otherwise cause cancer.
Umeda doesn't drink coffee because of the adverse effects she's experienced.
"It makes me hyperactive and sometimes I'm just out of it," Umeda said. She said that drinking coffee made her dazed in class and caused her to have an "out of body" sensation. This sensation made her feel disconnected from her mind and made it difficult to complete tasks.
