Soft Drinks Vs. Energy Drinks

Soft drinks and energy drinks are both widely available in supermarkets, drug stores and vending machines all across the nation. People consume these beverages on a daily basis, unaware of their nutritional information. While soft drinks and energy drinks share many similarities, there are important differences between the two types of beverages.

Caffeine

Although some soft drinks are caffeine free, energy drinks usually contain caffeine. On average, energy drinks contain substantially more caffeine than soft drinks. The caffeine content of energy drinks ranges from about 50 to 300 mg in each 8-oz. serving, while caffeinated soft drinks typically have between 20 to 72 mg of caffeine in an average 12-oz. serving, according to the Centers for Science in the Public Interest. Since cans and bottles of soft drinks and energy drinks typically contain multiple servings, consuming a can or bottle of beverage contains much more caffeine that the single serving figures indicate. While many enjoy the quick-energy burst caffeine provides, consuming too much can cause unpleasant side effects, including difficulty in sleeping, anxiety, irritability, upset stomach and tremors. Whether you decide to drink a caffeinated soft drink or an energy drink, monitor your overall daily consumption of caffeine to avoid these effects.

Sugar

The average energy drink or soft drink contains large amounts of sugar, although diet versions of both types of beverage exist that contain little to no sugar at all. While the specific amount of sugar varies depending on the brand, most nondiet energy drinks contain between 20 to 30 g of sugar per serving. Soft drinks, on the other hand, usually contain between 35 to 45 g of sugar in each serving. While soft drinks contain more sugar, the amount of sugar in energy drinks is still considerable. Use the nutrition labels of these products to find drinks containing the least amount of sugar.

Other Ingredients

Soft drinks consist of mostly carbonated water and sugar. The other ingredients of the beverage are designed to enhance the taste, color the product or preserve the freshness of the beverage. Energy drinks, on the other hand, typically include a variety of supplemental ingredients designed to serve specific purposes. These supplemental ingredients may include B vitamins, taurine, carnitine, glucuronlactone, inositol, ginseng or guarana. Those who market energy drinks claim these ingredients may have many benefits, doing everything from lowering the risk of certain diseases to improving mental or physical performance. Many of these claims are unfounded or not proven scientifically. If you are particularly interested in a function of a supplemental ingredient of your energy drink, ask your doctor or browse clinical studies to see if any scientific data backs up the claims.

Warnings

Sugar-sweetened soft drinks and energy drinks both can cause serious health problems. Consuming large amounts of sugar may increase the risk of obesity, which in turn increases the risk of diabetes, heart disease and certain types of cancer. Additionally, these beverages may cause you to feel full and consume less of the healthy foods and beverages that contain the essential nutrients your body needs to maintain good health. If you insist on drinking soft drinks or energy drinks instead of more nutrient-rich beverages, selecting the diet versions may prevent you from consuming too much sugar.