Whether it’s cramming for an exam that you had all semester to study for (guilty!), or having only one day to write your 6-page essay, students are always looking for something to help them while studying.
Energy drinks are often the answer, but do they really help? Well, I have good news. REIZE is your perfect buddy for studying for a major exam!
Find out the best energy drinks for your late-night studying in this article. You can thank me later.
Do energy drinks actually work?
Yes, they do.
In fact, energy drinks are darn good when it comes to providing you with an energy boost. Most energy drinks contain a large amount of caffeine, which provides you with an energy boost.
However, the extent of the energy boost depends on your unique psychological makeup.
Different people will have different reactions depending on their tolerance to caffeine and the other ingredients in an energy drink. But, with the average energy drink packing around 100mg of caffeine, you’re almost certain to get some kind of a boost after drinking one.
Of course, it’s not only the caffeine that contributes to the energy boost that you get from energy drinks. Other ingredients, such as sugar (in many cases), taurine, ginseng, B group vitamins and more all influence how you feel after drinking an energy drink.
I prefer energy drinks that help me to study instead of leaving my thoughts scattered and my brain racing, unable to focus or concentrate. Make sense, right?
I find that energy drinks that contain between 50mg and 100mg of caffeine are usually best for focus and alertness.
Anything more than 100mg of caffeine often leaves me unable to focus on anything, and therefore, unable to learn or retain information either – not exactly ideal if you’re in the middle of a very important study session.
The effects of energy drinks usually last about 3-4 hours. It could be longer or shorter depending on your unique physiological makeup.
Do energy drinks help with studying?
Yes, energy drinks do help with studying by improving your focus and concentration.
The caffeine in energy drinks stimulates your nervous system and gives you a temporary boost in your energy levels, and if you get the dosage right, your mental performance too.
Studies have shown that energy drinks improve students’ cognitive functions.
This is great for you if you’re trying to pull up an all-nighter to study for your exam, or if you’re doing some last-minute cramming – energy drinks might just help you power through AND absorb the information that you are studying.
However, that doesn’t mean you don’t still need to rest. Nothing helps more with your studies than a good night’s rest.
In fact, not getting enough sleep can have a negative effect on your memory and impair your ability to retain new information.
If you really have to drink energy drinks and pull up an all-nighter for your studies – my advice is don’t make a habit of it. Energy drinks might help you survive for a day or two, but sooner or later you will need to get some good quality sleep.
Is Red Bull good for studying?
Yes, Red Bull is great for studying.
If you’re tired and finding it hard to power through your study sessions, Red Bull might be just the drink to help you pull through.
As far as energy drinks go, Red Bull is on the smaller side, at 8.4 fl. oz compared to other energy drinks which are often 12 fl. oz or more.
It does, however, contain 80mg of caffeine and 27g of sugar, which I consider to be an ideal amount of caffeine. Personally, I try to limit my sugar intake, so I’m not a fan of the original Red Bull for studying.
In addition to being unhealthy if consumed in excess, sugar can also lead to a sugar crash which is the enemy of productive studying and comprehension.
You should drink Red Bull (and all energy drinks) in moderation during your study. Drinking an excessive amount can have negative side effects that you certainly want to avoid.
Keep in mind that energy drinks are only suitable for adults – that is, if you’re over 18 years of age.
If you’re under the age of 18, you shouldn’t be consuming energy drinks at all.
Furthermore, here’s a quick rundown of what goes inside a can of Red Bull.
| Ingredients | Amount |
|---|---|
| Caffeine | 80 mg |
| Glucuronolactone | 600 mg |
| Niacin (Vitamin B3) | 5.1 µg |
| Pantothenic acid (Vitamin B5) | 5.1 µg |
| Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6) | 5 mg |
| Cobalamin (Vitamin B12) | 5.1 µg |
Is Gatorade good for studying?
In theory, yes.
Gatorade is marketed as a sports drink with minimal sugar. The sugar in sports drinks like Gatorade can give you a temporary boost especially when had not grabbed a bite just before your study session.
Still, keep in mind to consume Gatorade in moderation!
Is caffeine good for studying?
Yes, caffeine can be beneficial for studying because it improves your mental alertness and focus.
However, the benefits are likely to be limited if you don’t also get enough sleep. Research has shown that sleep deprivation has a negative effect on your mental performance and also impairs your ability to learn.
If you’re planning to go on a marathon study session, it’s always best to make sure you get the rest you need in between each session and only use caffeine as a temporary study aid, not as a substitute for sleep.
What is the best energy drink for studying?
If you’re considering using energy drinks to help you study, price and effectiveness are the two main factors that you should focus on.
Considering these factors, I think REIZE Energy Drink is the best energy drink for studying. It’s very affordable and also super effective – perfect for students on a budget looking to make the most of their study sessions.
Students are renowned value-seekers. I guess that’s a nice way of saying “on a budget”. But, let’s be honest, who doesn’t like saving a little money here or there if you can?
Most of the well-known energy drinks brands like Monster and Red Bull are generally too expensive for the average student, costing somewhere around $2 or $3 per can. They might be fine for an occasional treat, but $3 a day adds up to a lot of money very quickly.
If the price is something that you’re concerned about, try powdered energy drinks because they tend to be more affordable (and versatile) than most of the leading brands.
REIZE is especially well-priced for the average student, shipping right to your door for around $1 per drink.
If spending $3 per day quickly adds up to a big number, saving $2 per day also quickly adds up to big savings.
Rather than being packed full of caffeine and sugar, REIZE is sugar-free and contains 50mg of caffeine – enough to keep you awake without the negative effects of caffeine. The combination of ingredients – caffeine, taurine, ginseng and B group vitamins make it perfect for studying and it gives you an ideal energy boost that won’t leave you feeling like you’ve had too much caffeine.
Also, since it’s sugar-free, you’ll be able to study for much longer periods without experiencing any productivity-killing sugar crashes.
Potential Side Effects of Energy Drinks
Energy can cause some side effects if you consume them over a long period of time or in excess.
If you’re thinking about consuming energy drinks during your study sessions, make sure you know the possible side effects before drinking them.
Keep in mind that the effects of energy drinks vary from person to person depending on your tolerance to their individual ingredients.
Ingredients like sugar, sucralose, and caffeine are some components of your favourite energy drink that can be detrimental to your health.
Let’s discuss this below!
Sugar
Sugar often helps to give you a quick energy boost after drinking an energy drink.
However, the effects are usually short-lived and you’ll frequently experience a sugar crash afterwards. There’s nothing wrong with consuming a little sugar in my opinion, but if consumed frequently, over time and in excess, it can cause a range of negative health issues.
Some possible side effects of too much sugar:
- premature ageing
- constant cravings
- low energy
- bloating
- weight gain
- increased risk of type 2 diabetes
Sucralose
Sucralose is an artificial sweetener that is commonly used in energy drinks to replace natural sugars.
Although sucralose has been deemed safe by the FDA and many other government health agencies around the world, there are still concerns about the side effects of this sweetener.
Sucralose has been found to reduce the good gut bacteria in your body. These gut bacteria are the ones that help to improve your digestion. In this study, there were still no clear signs of the good gut bacteria returning 12 weeks after consuming sucralose.
As with many modern chemicals, there hasn’t been enough data for researchers and scientists to come to a clear conclusion on the side effects of these ingredients yet.
Caffeine
Caffeine is the most important energy-boosting ingredient in an energy drink. If you’re considering pulling an all-night cramming session, caffeine might make the difference between succeeding or falling asleep in your books halfway through the night.
I don’t recommend an all-nighter, but let’s be honest, lots of students still do them.
However, despite all the good, it can also cause some serious side effects when taken in excess.
Most energy drinks contain less than half of the daily recommended limit of 400mg, making them reasonably safe in all respects. But, some contain 200mg or even more per serving.
Those are the kinds of energy drinks that you should avoid drinking more than once per day. Overdosing caffeine or consuming caffeine in excess can cause a lot of negative effects on your body and mind.
Some possible side effects of too much caffeine are:
- anxiety
- dehydration
- panic attacks
- diarrhea
- headaches
- jitters
- insomnia
If you’re under the age of 18, or you’re highly sensitive to caffeine, it’s best for you to stay away from caffeinated products. They can definitely do you more harm than good.
Is it safe to drink energy drinks?
Yes, it’s generally safe to drink energy drinks unless you have a pre-existing health condition or you are under the age of 18.
Many people have a negative perception of energy drinks and think that they’re dangerous. However, the most “dangerous” ingredients that are in an energy drink are probably caffeine and sugar.
If consumed in moderation, these so-called dangerous ingredients don’t even do any harm to your body. However, if consumed in excess, potential health problems can occur.
Do your own research first to better understand the potential health issues associated with the over-consumption of both of these ingredients, or consult your doctor for a professional opinion.
If you’re considering drinking energy drinks for studying, I would advise you to always go for a sugar-free version to avoid any unnecessary sugar.
If you’re looking for an energy drink that won’t give you a caffeine overdose, but will give you a nice energy boost to study, try some of these lower-caffeinated options.
Other Energy Drinks for Studying
Ready-to-drink energy drinks:
- Red Bull (I personally drink Red Bull during my study sessions and find it quite helpful)
- Guru (the most organic energy drink on this list, doesn’t contain artificial sweeteners and flavours as most energy drinks do)
- XS (even though the price tag isn’t the most affordable option on this list)
- Bing (It includes fruit juice concentrate in its ingredients)
Powdered energy drinks are also a great option, and they tend to be much more convenient and affordable than most of the best-known energy drink brands.
- Gfuel
- ZipFizz
- Advocare Spark
- REIZE (the best option for students in my opinion)
If you’re looking for something that is quick and easy to swallow, take a look at Vivarin caffeine pills. They contain 200mg of caffeine per pill, which is a bit more caffeine than most energy drinks have in them.
Or, you can try out a caffeinated water enhancer like Make It Mio. It flavours your water and gives you an energy boost at the same time.
REIZE Energy Drink
If you’re looking for an energy drink that gives you the kick you need, without the devastating side effects, REIZE might be just what you’re looking for.
It’s a powdered energy drink in a convenient little sachet. All you have to do is add water to it!
REIZE is lower in caffeine than most energy drinks, but still rich in Taurine, ginseng and B vitamins which are great while studying and also for your overall health. It gives you a perfect energy boost, without overdoing it, and it doesn’t give you any sort of sugar crash hours later.
REIZE ships right to your door for around $1 per drink, which is a lot more affordable than most energy drinks.
REIZE is perfect for students on a budget, but who also want to get the most out of their study sessions.
Give REIZE a try today and you might just find that REIZE is the best energy drink for you while you’re studying.