Have you ever pulled an all-nighter to cram a semester’s worth of lessons for a paper the day after?
Or, have you ever partied all-night long with friends until you had to drag yourself to class like a zombie the next morning?
We’ve all been there before, livin’ the “student life”.
I always had a secret weapon in my backpack that allowed me to go straight from class, to workout and then out to party, all in one day.
Energy drinks.
A single energy drink can have you focusing like an A+ student in class without dozing off.
Let’s get started with a closer look at which energy drinks are best for students and why you should be drinking them.
Page Contents
What To Look For In Energy Drinks?
- Caffeine
- Sugar
- Price & Availability
Caffeine
I doubt any student would be unfamiliar with this fantastic ingredient.
Caffeine does a lot to keep you awake, increase your ability to focus, and elevate your mood.
When it comes to caffeine content, you’re free to choose between a high or a low amount, depending on your preference and tolerance.
The FDA recommends less than 400mg of caffeine daily for the average healthy adult.
I cannot stress how much students should stick to the recommended limit.
After all, your best years are ahead of you, so why risk any of the potential negative side-effects of too much caffeine?
So, it’s best that you take care of your health and keep an eye on your caffeine intake.
Sugar
Here’s another common ingredient in your energy drinks. And this one makes a great energy booster, even though it’s not good for your health.
The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends a maximum daily sugar intake of 37.5g for men and 25g for women.
| Gender | Recommended daily intake of sugar by AHA (maximum) |
| Men | 150 kcal / 37.5g / 9 tsp |
| Women | 100 kcal / 25g / 6 tsp |
In my opinion, you should usually choose sugar-free energy drinks or, if you have a very sweet tooth – try the ones with less sugar content.
However, you might want to keep an eye out for the added sugar, so that it doesn’t exceed the recommended daily limit.
Price and Availability
If you’re a student living on-campus, chances are there might be no 24-hour convenience store near your dorm.
So, it may be difficult to buy a can of your favorite energy drink whenever you feel like it.
One thing I did was to purchase my energy drinks online in bulk and stock up them up in my room.
Buying in bulk saves a lot, and you can imagine what that does for your expenses.
Regarding price, everyone loves getting a good deal and no one likes paying more than they need to.
When it comes to energy drinks, there are plenty of good deals out there if you know where to find them. Paying more for a famous brand doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re getting better quality.
In fact, sometimes the opposite is true.
Can Energy Drinks Help You Study?
Energy drinks can help you study.
But, only when you consume them in moderate amounts.
Energy drinks contain caffeine, the main component that helps you focus and increases your concentration.
And, in some energy drinks, there’s guarana too.
Guarana comes from South America, and is rich with a caffeine compound, by the name guaranine.
So, you can imagine how the combination of these ingredients can increase alertness and improve memory, especially for young adults.
A study on sleep-deprived volunteers proved that the effect of one energy shot can last up to 6 hours.
There’s also taurine, ginseng, B vitamins, carnitine and other added ingredient in some energy drinks.
Thanks to these ingredients, energy drinks are proven to lower your perceived stress levels as a student.
So, if you plan to spend hours in the library before an important test, energy drinks might be worth considering.
And while energy drinks are a reliable friend, it’s more important that you develop good sleeping habits.
Energy drinks will only get you so far. Eventually, you’ll need a good night of sleep to function at your best again.
In fact, experts have pointed out that lack of quality sleep at night can affect your memory and mood.
So go get your beauty sleep!
Are energy drinks good for studying?
Energy drinks can provide a temporary boost in alertness and focus due to their caffeine content. This may be helpful for short-term concentration during study sessions or when facing fatigue. The caffeine in energy drinks can enhance cognitive performance and help combat drowsiness.
However, it’s essential to use energy drinks in moderation and consider individual tolerance to caffeine. Excessive consumption can lead to negative effects, such as jitteriness, increased heart rate, and difficulty sleeping. Additionally, energy drinks often contain added sugars, which can result in energy crashes and affect overall health.
Is it okay to drink energy drink before studying?
Drinking an energy drink before studying can be okay for some individuals, but it’s essential to do so in moderation and consider personal factors. The caffeine in energy drinks can provide a temporary boost in focus and alertness, which may help improve studying performance in the short term.
However, individuals with caffeine sensitivity or certain health conditions should be cautious. Excessive caffeine intake can lead to negative effects, such as restlessness, increased heart rate, and disrupted sleep. It’s advisable to consider the overall caffeine intake from other sources and opt for energy drinks with moderate caffeine content.
What Kind of Food Improves Focus and Concentration?
Here is a list of food that can improve your focus and concentration.
- Blueberries
Blueberries have been proven to boost concentration for up to five hours.
You have its antioxidants to thank for that, for the flow of blood and oxygen to your brain.
- Avocados
Avocados are great for stimulating blood flow to the brain cells.
Not to mention, they’re rich in fiber, with about 11 to 17g per fruit. So, you won’t experience hunger pangs that can distract you from your task on hand.
- Leafy green vegetables
If you’re part of the majority who don’t fancy veggies, then, here’s a reason to start loving them.
Leafy green vegetables are probably the best brain food you’ll come across.
For a start, veggies are loaded with antioxidants and carotenoids. Those two boost your brain power, and protect your brain.
You’ll find B vitamins that help you with overall brain health.
And, there’s also folic acid that enhances mental clarity.
The taste grows on your too. Although it doesn’t taste nice at the start, the more you have it, the more you like it.
- Flax seeds and nuts
Flax seeds and nuts are loaded with much-needed nutrients for your brain.
Flax seeds are high in fiber, magnesium, and B vitamins. It’s a superfood that helps with mental clarity, focus, and even weight loss.
Grind some flax seeds for easy digestion and sprinkle them on yogurt, oatmeal or cereal.
Nuts are rich with antioxidant vitamin E and amino acids to aid your concentration. One ounce daily will do the trick.
Also, you can alternate your choices everyday between almonds, hazelnuts, or walnuts.
- Water
Boosting your focus and concentration doesn’t get any easier than drinking enough water.
A good supply of water makes you think faster and remember better. It also enhances your clarity and creativity.
As the saying goes, water is the elixir of life. It’s the most essential and basic need in everyone’s life.
- Dark Chocolate
Now, here’s a treat during study breaks that you can enjoy.
Dark chocolate has a small amount of caffeine. As you know, caffeine instantly increases alertness.
It can also help to elevate your mood and a small dose per day is sufficient to boost your focus.
Which Time is the Best Time for Studying?
The best time for studying depends on the individual.
No two students are alike, and neither are their study habits.
So, the time and place to which a person can focus 100% is entirely up to their preference.
Different things work for different people. Figure out what works best for you.
A study on the pace of people’s brain activity at different times of the day was conducted.
It notes that the brain is the sharpest in the morning after a good night’s rest and after a wholesome breakfast. Your brain will certainly be more alert and you’ll recall details better.
In the afternoons, the brain is good for integrating new information on previously acquired data.
So, you’ll be better at making connections between chunks of information and turn them into meaningful ideas after the midday sun.
At night, there’s less distraction and more peace. So, you can certainly focus better and recall information faster.
And while it’s hard, remember to get an average of 8 hours of sleep if possible.
I’ll say experimenting will help you to know whether you’re a day-studier or a night-studier.
Try studying at different times to see which works best for you.
How To Increase Your Energy?
Here are some strategies to increase your energy.
- Exercise
- Maintain a sleep schedule
- Take a power nap
- Avoid junk food
- Smell peppermint
- Load on carbs
- Eat a small portion of meals
Perhaps on some days, your lecturer might have called you out for snoozing in class.
Or, on other days, you might have had to bail on plans with the gang to sleep in instead
How can I concentrate on my long hours of study?
There are several ways to concentrate on your long hours of studying. To concentrate on long hours of studying, it’s important to prioritize your physical and mental well-being. This can include getting regular exercise, eating healthy and balanced meals, and making sure you get enough sleep each night.
Additionally, energy drinks can help you concentrate. Energy drinks contain caffeine, a stimulant that can increase alertness, reduce fatigue, and enhance cognitive function. By consuming energy drinks, people may be able to concentrate better and remain focused for longer periods of time while studying.
What can I drink to avoid sleep while studying?
You can drink energy drinks to avoid sleeping while studying. Drinking energy drinks can be effective in helping you stay awake and alert while studying because they contain caffeine, a stimulant that can increase alertness, reduce fatigue, and enhance cognitive function.
It’s also worth noting that relying on energy drinks as a way to avoid sleep can disrupt your natural sleep-wake cycle and lead to sleep deprivation, which can have negative effects on your health, mood, and overall well-being, so drink energy drinks responsibly.
Best Energy Drink for Students
Celsius Energy Drink
Over the years Celsius has won awards for health, innovation, and branding.
You’ll find 200mg of caffeine per serving, and yes, that’s a lot.
But, if you’re running extremely low on energy and need a pick-me-up instantly, a can every now and again might be just what you need.
Each serving adds just 10 calories to your diet.
It’s healthy in the sense that it’s sugar-free. So, you won’t experience any sugar-crash.
And even better, there are no artificial preservatives, flavors or colors.
One concern I have with Celsius is that the company really pushes the “healthy” angle, when I’m not really convinced that Celsius is any healthier (or any worse) than any other energy drink.
For more information about Celsius Energy Drink check out my in-depth review.
Red Bull
A regular can of Red Bull contains 80mg of caffeine. It’s a sensible amount, and it won’t blow your head off like some of the stronger energy drinks out there might.
There are 110 calories in a can. So, you might have to consider that aspect if you’re on a low-calorie diet.
Red Bull has 27g of sugar. So, you’ll have to decide if you can make room for the sugar content in your meal plan while sticking to the AHA guidelines on how much sugar you should be limiting yourself to each day.
Red Bull is rich with B6 vitamins and comes in many different flavors. I love the refreshing, classic taste.
If you’d like to know more, go check out my full review of Red Bull.
Aspire Energy Drink
Aspire energy drink is rich in natural ingredients, and it has a great taste too. It doesn’t contain any sugar or calories and contains only 80mg of caffeine.
If you’re looking for an energy drink with low caffeine, it can be an excellent choice for you.
Its modest amount of caffeine should give you a good amount of boost you need in training sessions or games.
They cost around $3 per can, with great deals on Amazon and eBay.
G Fuel Powder
With just 150mg caffeine per and 20 flavors to choose from, G Fuel Tubs are a great option!
G Fuel is a good powdered energy drink option if you are looking for something convenient to bring along during your hike.
A single G Fuel Energy Tub contains 40 servings of G Fuel. Each serving of G Fuel has 150mg of caffeine and 25 calories along with plenty of beneficial ingredients like Vitamin E, which can surely boost your energy levels and mental performance for your hiking journey.
To make it easier for you, you can prepare your bottle of G Fuel Energy drink before going off for your hike so you can have it anytime you want.
For an in-depth look into whether G Fuel is a good energy drink or not, check out the article I’ve written.
Monster Energy Drink
A popular favorite among many, Monster Energy is packed with ingredients that can definitely give you an extra edge in stamina and focus while hiking.
Each 16 fl. oz can of Monster has 160mg of caffeine, 54g of sugar, and 210 calories, along with some vitamins and amino acids. A can of Monster can keep you going throughout the day, which is ideal when you’re spending most of your time hiking under the sun.
If you prefer to skip out on all that sugar, Monster has a sugar-free flavor, Monster Zero Ultra, which has the same caffeine content and benefits.
Interested to know how Monster can affect you nutritionally? Feel free to head over to the article I’ve written on the nutrition facts of Monster Energy for more information on that.
The Final Say
Overall, these energy drinks can deliver what a student wants—an energy boost to perform their best!
The caffeine amount and ingredients vary across these energy drinks. This is why you should choose the energy drink that matches your need for caffeine. You can also try a few energy drinks to see which one suits you the most.
However, don’t drink these energy drinks irresponsibly as too much of them can actually backfire. It will end up worsening your performance.
The right energy drinks will definitely help you perform at your peak level if you consume them in moderation.