In recent years, we have seen an increase in energy drink advertisements in stores and online. As you walk through the halls of BSM, it’s likely you will see many energy drinks in hand. Some students drink these because they simply enjoy the flavor, while others believe they truly increase their energy throughout the day. A question arises while discussing the topic of energy drinks: are they truly beneficial for students?
Junior Anna Kelm claims to be a big fan of energy drinks. Kelm has at least one drink a day and believes they help keep her energy up throughout the day. She thinks energy drinks can have positive effects on students and are a key part of her day. Kelm and many others enjoy energy drinks and think that they help to better and improve students’ lives by maintaining a high energy level. “I think that they can result in better test scores because you can stay awake while you’re studying. They can provide more happiness for you because when you’re tired, a lot of the times you feel sad. So when you’re energetic and caffeinated, you are more likely to be happy,” Kelm said.
On the other hand, some students drink energy drinks solely for the taste rather than the effects they give. Some popular energy drinks like Bubblr, Alani, and Celcius are popular for their sweet tastes, despite containing zero grams of sugar. “I just drink them because they taste good,” junior Lily Frey-Cartwright said.
Effects of energy drinks may be different for every student, proving not to be beneficial for all. “If I’m already energized, it makes me tired, like you’ve already had a lot of energy. You don’t need more energy,” Frey-Cartwright said.
While energy beverages are essential for many students, others do not prefer the taste and only drink them if it’s necessary. “I don’t like them when I’m not doing anything, but if I’m driving out late, yeah I’m gonna drink one, but I don’t like the taste of them…I just think I make myself feel like they help me,” sophomore Chella Pufpaff said.
At BSM, there is a wide variety of feelings about energy drinks and whether they are truly beneficial for students or not. Every student has their own needs and knows whether they work for them. “I definitely think that if you learn which type works for you, I do think they’re beneficial,” Kelm said.