The Mycenaean

Whether it be for an energy boost or simply for the taste, many Leesville students drink some kind of caffeinated beverage before or during the school day; the two most popular options being coffee or an energy drink.

Personally, I choose coffee over an energy drink every morning. I normally make my coffee myself, meaning I can alter and customize it as I please. I take my coffee with me in a thermos, ensuring it stays at the right temperature. 

In my opinion, energy drinks don’t offer the same flexibility.

Energy drinks come in set flavors, and unless you stock up beforehand, you have to settle for whatever flavor or brand a gas station or grocery store might have. They typically come in a tin can, which lacks proper insulation, and the drink comes to room temperature.

Additionally, for something I’m drinking first thing in the morning, I don’t want it to be sickly sweet. Oftentimes, energy drinks are borderline syrupy, giving you not only an energy boost but a sugar high as well.

However, some students prefer energy drinks, arguing they taste better and give a caffeine boost more efficiently. 

Katie Carrigan, senior, said, “I like energy drinks more… they taste better than coffee.” 

Nyah von Haam, senior, agreed, saying, “Energy drinks are more yummy, and I feel like I get the energy boost faster.”

On the contrary, some students agree with my point of view, adding their own reasoning to the argument. Ishika Verma, senior, brought up that “[coffee] is a healthier alternative because coffee beans have antioxidants.” 

According to a poll posted on the LRHS Mycenaean Instagram page, 52% of Leesville students prefer coffee over energy drinks.

While the data leans in favor of coffee, one also has to take into consideration the students who don’t drink caffeinated drinks at all.

Whatever your preference might be, it’s important to be safe with caffeine consumption, staying under the limit of 400 milligrams per day.