Are you pulling an all-nighter? Trying to defeat the afternoon slump? Or maybe, you just want to feel energized throughout the day?
Waking up and getting out of bed is probably one of the hardest things to do. And the next challenge is staying awake for the entire day, making sure that all of the daily work and errands are complete.
We’ve all been there, being groggy, irritable, and sleepy, wanting nothing more than the comfort of good sleep in a soft bed. However, there are always things that you do, and energy drinks can curb that sleepiness away.
For those sleepy mornings, I’ve compiled the 10 best energy drinks to help you make sure that you don’t fall asleep and that you get your work done.
So stick around and try not to fall asleep.
How Do You Stay Awake?
There are different ways for you to stay awake. And it’s not just by drinking coffee or taking a power nap.
Sometimes it takes a combination of things to get your blood flowing and your brain to function.
Here are other proven ways for you to keep you alert and functioning.
Chewing Gum
Whenever you find yourself feeling bored out of your mind, grab a piece of gum and start chewing.
Pick your favorite flavor and pop one into your mouth. The sugar in the gum will make your body produce insulin which makes you feel alert.
By chewing a piece of gum, it’ll stimulate your facial muscles, promoting the blood flow to your head.
Unlike breathing or blinking, which are unconscious activities. Chewing is a conscious activity, which activates and stimulates the brain.
So not only are you keeping yourself awake by using your jaw muscles. You’re keeping your brain stimulated as well.
Exercising and Stretching
If you find yourself dozing off in your chair, stand up and do some jumping jacks, or run in place to get your blood pumping.
This will increase your heart rate and a rush of endorphins to keep you from slumping your head on the desk.
Taking a stroll about the house and clearing your head after a long day is not only great ways to unwind, but they may also help you concentrate on the task at hand.
And if you don’t like to work up a sweat, you can always do some light stretching or yoga. A little breather can relax the muscles and release any unwanted tension.
Music
Sometimes the world gets too quiet. And when that happens, the brain and body tend to feel sluggish and uninterested.
By playing loud and lively music, you wake your brain up through auditory stimulation, so when you feel like dancing as you play a disco track, it’s a sign you’re stimulated.
However, you might want to grab your headphones when you have other people around. You don’t want to disturb or annoy them with loud sounds.
Can Energy Drinks Keep You Awake?
Energy drinks help you stay awake throughout the day, mostly due to their caffeine and sugar content.
They give you the needed boost to fuel your body with a burst of energy. Energy drinks are best served cold, as according to a study, cold stimuli make you feel more awake and alert.
The cold sensation coupled with the caffeine and sugar of energy drinks is a surefire way to make you feel much more attentive.
Caffeine is a natural stimulant that works its effects on the brain and nervous system. It is commonly found in tea leaves, coffee beans, and cacao beans.
That said, make sure that you keep your caffeine intake below 400mg as per the FDA’s recommendation, as some energy drinks have more caffeine content than others.
Besides caffeine, sugar is another key ingredient in some energy drinks, which gives you the boost you need.
When sugar enters your system, your body will respond by making insulin, which would increase your blood flow and make your blood thicker. This is what people would call a sugar rush.
And once your body has flushed out the excess sugar, that’s when you’ll experience the dreaded sugar crash.
While many energy drinks have sugar in them, there are always sugar-free options, which you might like if you’re watching your diet or want healthier options.
Which ingredients in energy drinks help you to stay awake?
Caffeine
The main component in energy drinks that supplies you with a quick jolt of energy is caffeine.
When it comes to singling out the right energy drink that’ll help you stay awake, you should find one with an appropriate amount of caffeine that suits your caffeine tolerance.
Sure, it may seem like more caffeine would give you a more powerful boost of energy and keep you awake longer, but you’ll regret it once the side effects kick in.
It’s best if you don’t overdose on the caffeine, thus make sure to limit your caffeine intake to 400mg, which is considered safe for adults according to the FDA.
Sugar
Sugar is another ingredient you need to consider when it comes to energy drinks. When you have sugar, it’s broken down into glucose, which turns into fuel for your body. This state is usually called a sugar rush.
But too much sugar is bad news. Energy drinks often contain high levels of sugar that aren’t beneficial for you. Excessive sugar leads to sugar crashes and mostly manifest with symptoms like:
- Fatigue
- Anxiety
- Shakiness
- Hunger
- Irritability
- Confusion/unable to focus
- Fast heartbeat
If these symptoms set in, you won’t be able to stay awake anymore. Hence, it’s better if you opt for energy drinks with low sugar content or no sugar at all.
Guarana
Guarana also contributes to the energy-boosting qualities of an energy drink.
Guarana contains natural caffeine, and it augments the caffeine in these drinks, which is why you feel more active and alert after consuming it.
Furthermore, guarana is known to have many benefits, including improved physical performance and cognitive skills.
However, watch out for the amount of added guarana in energy drinks as it’s unaccounted for in the total caffeine count.
Fun fact: 1g of guarana is the same as 40mg of caffeine. That’s a lot.
Are Coffee or Energy Drinks Better?
Personally, I think energy drinks have a lot more to offer than coffee, being suitable for many occasions on top of having a wider variety of flavors.
While it largely depends on personal preference, in terms of functionality, it relates to the caffeine content. The more caffeine a beverage has, the stronger its effects.
The amount of caffeine you can tolerate would vary. A small amount may already enough for some to feel its full effect, and there are others who would need a higher dosage for it to work.
A cup of steaming coffee would have around 50 mg of caffeine, while a can of cold energy drink would have around 80-120 mg of caffeine.
Another thing to look for is the sugar content. Pure black coffee will have no sugar in it unless you add it. And an energy drink can have up to 29 g of sugar inside, depending on your pick.
In terms of calories, a cup of coffee has 0 calories in it. And around 150 calories for a regular-sized energy drink.
While energy drinks have taurine, ginseng root extract, guarana, antioxidants, and trace minerals, coffee doesn’t have any added vitamins or minerals that can be found in energy drinks
That said, at the end of the day, you’re the judge in determining whether you prefer a cup of coffee or a can of energy drink.
Can energy drinks help me stay awake when I’m studying?
Yes, energy drinks can help you stay awake when you’re studying. Energy drinks contain a combination of caffeine and sugar, ingredients that can push your drowsiness back and increase your mental alertness.
In addition, energy drinks also can enhance your cognitive performance. Studies have shown that compared to a placebo, energy drinks can boost memory and attention.
However, while choosing an energy drink for studying, it’s best to pick one with a sensible amount of caffeine and sugar.
If you’re interested to know the energy drinks that are best for studying, you can check out this article of mine.
Can energy drinks help me stay awake while driving?
Energy drinks can help you in staying awake while you drive.
A study conducted on 24 participants discovered that after drinking Red Bull, their sleepiness reduced and their driving performance improved.
Not only that, energy drinks can increase your reaction times too, and it seems to have the best effect when you’re tired.
So before going for a long drive, stock your vehicle up with a few of your favorite energy drinks. But remember to pay attention to your caffeine intake while you drive.
For the best energy drinks for driving, I’ve made a comprehensive piece here.
Can energy drinks help me stay awake while I’m on my night shift?
Energy drinks can surely help you stay awake while you’re on your night shift. The caffeine in energy drinks will provide you with a burst of energy, which will lead you to stay awake for a few good hours.
Research has shown that caffeine can boost vigilance, reaction time, and alertness and reduce fatigue even when you’re sleep-deprived. Though, energy drinks would work better when you’re starting to feel drowsy.
But it’s still important that you get adequate rest before going off for your night shift.
What Energy Drinks Keep You Awake?
Below is a list of some of the best energy drinks that can keep you alert and focused. These are great energy drinks that pack a punch.
Aspire
Founded in 2008 by Darrell Linnell and Neil Blewitt, Aspire aspires (pun intended) to be a great-tasting energy drink that is good for you.
They boast their energy drinks as having no calories, sugar, or carbs on top of a diverse selection of 9 flavors:
- Lemony Lime
- Tropical
- Orange Pineapple
- Peach Tea Lemonade
- Dark Cherry Lime
- Raspberry + Acai
- Mango Lemonade
- Cranberry
- Apple + Acai
A 12 fl.oz can of Aspire contains 80mg of caffeine. In terms of caffeine content, it’s on the lower side of the spectrum, making it perfect for people who are sensitive to caffeine.
The drink also has multivitamins (C & B-Complex). It also claims to be; vegan-friendly, non-GMO, and gluten-free.
Aspire Energy Drink can be found in your local convenience stores, big box supermarkets, and various online stores.
Reign
Reign Total Body Fuel is a relatively new product, released by th eMonster Beverage Corporation. It has a whopping 300mg of caffeine inside one can. And it comes in 12 different flavors:
- Orange Dreamsicle
- Melon Mania
- Lemon HDZ
- Mang-O-Matic
- Razzle Berry
- Sour Apple
- Peach Fizz
- Strawberry Sublime
- Red Dragon
- Carnival Candy
- True Blue
- Jalapeno Strawberry
Its claim to fame is that it has no sugars and no artificial flavorings or colors. This drink is for people who have a high tolerance for caffeine.
The drink also contains electrolytes which are perfect when you are working out.
You can grab one of these heavy-hitters from the nearest supermarket, convenience store, or e-commerce site.
Lucozade
Lucozade Energy Drink originated from the UK. And has a caffeine count of 46mg within a 380ml bottle.
Fun fact: It was founded in 1927 under the name of Glucozade, and it was used as a medication for the ill. Then, in 1929 they dropped the first letter and named it Lucozade.
You have two options when it comes to bottle size: 380ml and 500ml. And they come in 14 different flavors:
- Original
- Pink
- Orange
- Tropical
- Caribbean Crush
- Watermelon & Strawberry Cooler
- Citrus Chill
- Raspberry Ripple
- Apple Blast
- Pink Lemonade
- Wild Cherry
- Brazilian Mango & Mandarin
Lucozade is the perfect drink for you if have a low tolerance for caffeine. Besides that, they also have a sugar-free option for some of their drinks, so that’s definitely a plus if you’re looking for something healthier.
C4 Energy Drink
Made by Cellucor in 2006, the C4 energy drink has been perfected and researched for a couple of years. It has a caffeine content of 135mg. They offer 7 different flavors:
- Icy Blue Razz
- Black Cherry
- Freedom Ice
- Electric Sour
- Cotton Candy
- Peach Mango Nectar
- Purple Frost
They also come in sugar-free options for you if you don’t want to experience the dreaded sugar crash.
It has an average amount of caffeine, so it’s a great choice for you if you just want a midpoint range of caffeine content in your energy drink.
5-Hour Energy
For a small bottle of 1.93 fl.oz, 5-Hour Energy Drink has a staggering 200mg, which places it at the higher end of the caffeine spectrum, making the list as one of the strongest energy drinks.
The energy drink claims to be sugar-free, zero net carbs and only has a calorie count of 4. The brand offers 17 various flavors:
- Berry
- Blue Raspberry
- Cherry
- Cool Mint Lemonade
- Grape
- Lemonade Tea
- Orange
- Peach Mango
- Peach Tea
- Pink Lemonade
- Pomegranate
- Raspberry Tea
- Sour Apple
- Strawberry Apple
- Strawberry Watermelon
- Tropical Burst
- Watermelon
This drink is incredibly hardcore. So only drink this if you know you can handle the caffeine content. Otherwise, stick to the other ones with lesser caffeine content.
Venom
Venom Energy Drink was formerly known as Elements Energy. It was rebranded and rereleased in 2008, and currently, one 16 fl.oz can of Venom contains 162mg of caffeine.
Venom offers 8 different flavors:
- Black Mamba
- Death Adder (Fruit Punch)
- Killer Taipan (Mango)
- Mojave Rattler
- Black Cherry Kiwi
- Citrus
- Strawberry Apple
- Watermelon Lime
They also offer a low-calorie version of their energy drink, which you may like if you count your calories.
Rockstar
Founded by Russ Weiner, Rockstar has been one of the leading brands in the energy drink industry for as long as anyone can remember.
It has around 160 mg of caffeine and has 250 calories inside one 16 fl.oz can and they offer 16 classic flavors:
- Zero Carb
- Sugar Free
- Relax – Caffeine Free Tropical Guava
- Piña Colada
- Perfect Berry
- Original
- Lime Freeze
- Iced – Peach & Tea
- Horchata
- Ginger Brew
- Energy Cola – Double Strength
- Energy Cola
- Energisant – Bleu Glacier
- Diet Energy Cola – Double Strength
- Cucumber Lime
- Coconut Water
- Blackout – Guarana Berry
- 2X Energy Extra Caffeine
In terms of caffeine content, it is on the middle ground. Not too high to be cautious and not too low if you’d like a big boost.
Bang
Introduced in the market by Vital Pharmaceuticals, a company located in Florida. Bang Energy Drink is the third highest-selling energy drink.
It also has one of the highest caffeine content on this list, having a heavy dosage of 300mg. So only drink this if you have a high tolerance for caffeine.
They offer 24 flavors and another 8 flavors for their caffeine-free counterparts.
Classic flavors:
- Bangster Berry
- Birthday Cake Bash
- Black Cherry Vanilla
- Blue Razz
- Candy Apple Crisp
- Champagne
- Cherry Blade Lemonade
- Citrus Twist
- Cotton Candy
- Delish Strawberry Kiss
- Frose Rose
- Key Lime Pie
- Lemon Drop
- Miami Cola
- Peach Mango
- Pina Colada
- Power Punch
- Purple Guava Pear
- Purple Haze
- Radical Skadattle
- Rainbow Unicorn
- Root Beer
- Sour Heads
- Star Blast
Caffeine-free flavors:
- Birthday Cake Bash
- Black Cherry Vanilla
- Candy Apple Crisp
- Cherry Blade Lemonade
- Cotton Candy
- Miami Cola
- Purple Guava Pear
- Sour Heads
While Bang is sugar-free, I wouldn’t recommend it if you have low tolerance for caffeine.
Monster
Monster Energy Drink was made by Hansen Natural Company, and is currently the second highest-selling energy drink in the world.
In a 16 fl.oz. can of Monster, 160mg of caffeine is contained, which is a midpoint range, but still a considerable caffeine content.
They offer a wide range of products: low carb, sugar-free, and their own 300mg caffeine energy drink.
List of 6 classic flavors:
- Original
- Assault
- Import
- Mule
- Cuba Libre
- M3
These energy drinks can be found basically everywhere.
Red Bull
The first-ever energy drink. Introduced into the market by Dietrich Mateschitz in 1987 in Austria. Red Bull is the highest-selling energy drink in the market right now.
They offer three sizes that bring different amounts of caffeine.
| Size | Caffeine Content |
| 8.4 fl.oz | 77.4 mg |
| 12 fl.oz | 110.7 mg |
| 16 fl.oz | 147.6 mg |
The brand also has a wide range of different versions of their drink:
- Zero
- Blue Edition: Blueberry
- Sugar-free
- Pear Edition Sugar-free
- Red Edition: Cranberry
- Peach Edition: Peach-Nectarine
- Summer Edition: Kiwi-Apple
- Orange Edition: Tangerine
- Summer Edition: Tropical
- Winter Edition: Arctic Berry
- Energy Drink Classic
- Summer Edition: Coconut Berry
- Summer Edition: Watermelon
REIZE Energy Drink (10 out of 10)
While all the mentioned energy drinks are great, I think the best energy drink out of the bunch is REIZE Energy Drink.
With only 50mg of caffeine, REIZE has just enough to keep me mentally sharp and focus throughout the day, but not too much that I might get a headache afterward.
The packaging is pretty nifty as well. All you have to do is open the sachet, mix it with your beverage of choice and you’re pretty much good to go.
REIZE is also sugar-free, so you don’t have to combat the dreaded sugar crash nor worry about your calorie intake.
Plus, you can get REIZE shipped straight to your doorstep for only about $1 per drink. That’s a good value for money!
So give REIZE a try, and you might find that it’s the best energy drink for keeping you energized and alert for the day.