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Caffeine content isn't the only way that these beverages impact wellness. Energy drinks have healthy ingredients like B vitamins and the amino acid taurine. If you're looking for a bit less of a boost, green tea has less caffeine, polyphenols known to manage inflammation and beat cancer, plus antioxidants that have a positive impact on aging. Learn more about how caffeine plays a role in your wellness in the next 10 slides. (Ozgur CoskunShutterstock)
Caffeine content isn’t the only way that these beverages impact wellness. Energy drinks have healthy ingredients like B vitamins and the amino acid taurine. If you’re looking for a bit less of a boost, green tea has less caffeine, polyphenols known to manage inflammation and beat cancer, plus antioxidants that have a positive impact on aging. Learn more about how caffeine plays a role in your wellness in the next 10 slides. (Ozgur CoskunShutterstock)
10. Brewed coffee (decaf) and instant coffee (decaf) | Caffeine content: 2 mg - Standard serving size of drink: 8 oz (237 mL) - Decaf isn't really decaffeinated. But at 2 milligrams per 8-ounce cup, it's 4% as likely to boost your energy as brewed black tea and 2% as likely to be the culprit when you're lying in bed staring at the darkness in the middle of the night. (kazoka/Shutterstock)
10. Brewed coffee (decaf) and instant coffee (decaf) | Caffeine content: 2 mg – Standard serving size of drink: 8 oz (237 mL) – Decaf isn’t really decaffeinated. But at 2 milligrams per 8-ounce cup, it’s 4% as likely to boost your energy as brewed black tea and 2% as likely to be the culprit when you’re lying in bed staring at the darkness in the middle of the night. (kazoka/Shutterstock)
9. Ready-to-drink, bottled tea | Caffeine content: 19 mg - Standard serving size of drink: 8 oz (237 mL) - Based on caffeine content alone, bottled tea is significantly less energizing than tea brewed at home. Choose a non-sweetened variety to maximize positive health impacts. (Nitr/ Shutterstock)
9. Ready-to-drink, bottled tea | Caffeine content: 19 mg – Standard serving size of drink: 8 oz (237 mL) – Based on caffeine content alone, bottled tea is significantly less energizing than tea brewed at home. Choose a non-sweetened variety to maximize positive health impacts. (Nitr/ Shutterstock)
8. Cola soda | Caffeine content: 22 mg - Standard serving size of drink: 8 oz (237 mL) - Because cola sodas are often sweetened, you might be a bit more animated after consuming one than you would be after a bottled tea, even though the caffeine content is similar. Shop for alternatives that have healthier sweeteners to bypass the downsides of sugar and corn syrup. (Brent Hofacker/Shutterstock)
8. Cola soda | Caffeine content: 22 mg – Standard serving size of drink: 8 oz (237 mL) – Because cola sodas are often sweetened, you might be a bit more animated after consuming one than you would be after a bottled tea, even though the caffeine content is similar. Shop for alternatives that have healthier sweeteners to bypass the downsides of sugar and corn syrup. (Brent Hofacker/Shutterstock)
7. Brewed green tea | Caffeine content: 28 mg - Standard serving size of drink: 8 oz (237 mL) - Many health professionals encourage patients to drink green tea because it doesn't agitate the nervous system as much as black tea and possesses other health benefits. But the caffeine content is only 1 milligram less than the typical energy drink. (grafvision/ Shutterstock)
7. Brewed green tea | Caffeine content: 28 mg – Standard serving size of drink: 8 oz (237 mL) – Many health professionals encourage patients to drink green tea because it doesn’t agitate the nervous system as much as black tea and possesses other health benefits. But the caffeine content is only 1 milligram less than the typical energy drink. (grafvision/ Shutterstock)
6. Energy drink | Caffeine content: 29 mg - Standard serving size of drink: 8 oz (237 mL) - Even if you're not an action sports superhero, you'll probably be flying a lot higher after an energy drink than if you'd chosen water, especially since many contain other stimulants, including ginseng, guarana or sugar. (BrunoWeltmann/Shutterstock)
6. Energy drink | Caffeine content: 29 mg
– Standard serving size of drink: 8 oz (237 mL) – Even if you’re not an action sports superhero, you’ll probably be flying a lot higher after an energy drink than if you’d chosen water, especially since many contain other stimulants, including ginseng, guarana or sugar. (BrunoWeltmann/Shutterstock)
5. Brewed black tea | Caffeine content: 47 mg - Standard serving size of drink: 8 oz (237 mL) - The amount of caffeine in brewed black tea is almost double that of green tea, and there are benefits for your heart, gut, and overall health. (slawomir.gawryluk/Shutterstock)
5. Brewed black tea | Caffeine content: 47 mg – Standard serving size of drink: 8 oz (237 mL) – The amount of caffeine in brewed black tea is almost double that of green tea, and there are benefits for your heart, gut, and overall health. (slawomir.gawryluk/Shutterstock)
4. Instant coffee | Caffeine content: 62 mg - Standard serving size of drink: 8 oz (237 mL) - Instant coffee packs almost as much of a punch as a shot of espresso, but without the need for a fancy machine. Grab a cup to get many of the same health benefits as regular coffee, such as increased brain function and a boosted metabolism. (Boontoom Sae-Kor/Shutterstock)
4. Instant coffee | Caffeine content: 62 mg – Standard serving size of drink: 8 oz (237 mL) – Instant coffee packs almost as much of a punch as a shot of espresso, but without the need for a fancy machine. Grab a cup to get many of the same health benefits as regular coffee, such as increased brain function and a boosted metabolism. (Boontoom Sae-Kor/Shutterstock)
3. Espresso coffee | Caffeine content: 64 mg - Standard serving size of drink: 1 oz (30 mL) - Espresso offers a less-caffeinated option for coffee fans. (Dusan Zidar/Shutterstock)
3. Espresso coffee | Caffeine content: 64 mg – Standard serving size of drink: 1 oz (30 mL) – Espresso offers a less-caffeinated option for coffee fans. (Dusan Zidar/Shutterstock)
2. Brewed coffee | Caffeine content: 96 mg - Standard serving size of drink: 8 oz (237 mL) - Everywhere from truck stops to upscale bistros, brewed coffee averages 96 milligrams in an 8-ounce serving. The way you brew your beverage could have an impact on your health: A 2020 observational Norwegian study found filtered coffee to be healthier than unfiltered coffee, or coffee brewed using methods such as a French press. (Nobuhiro Asada/Shutterstock)
2. Brewed coffee | Caffeine content: 96 mg – Standard serving size of drink: 8 oz (237 mL) – Everywhere from truck stops to upscale bistros, brewed coffee averages 96 milligrams in an 8-ounce serving. The way you brew your beverage could have an impact on your health: A 2020 observational Norwegian study found filtered coffee to be healthier than unfiltered coffee, or coffee brewed using methods such as a French press. (Nobuhiro Asada/Shutterstock)
1. Energy shot | Caffeine content: 215 mg - Standard serving size of drink: 1 oz (30 mL) - Anyone who's looking for convenience and a mega-hit of energy might want to grab an energy shot. But be careful: Two of them in one day would push you beyond healthy caffeine consumption levels. (JenJ_Payless/Shutterstock)
1. Energy shot | Caffeine content: 215 mg – Standard serving size of drink: 1 oz (30 mL) – Anyone who’s looking for convenience and a mega-hit of energy might want to grab an energy shot. But be careful: Two of them in one day would push you beyond healthy caffeine consumption levels. (JenJ_Payless/Shutterstock)