I'm Addicted to Energy Drinks

I admit it, I love caffeine. Like many Americans I love the quick jolt it gives me in the morning and the pick me up it gives me in the afternoon. I enjoy the convenience of an energy drink and prefer the cold and refreshing taste of the soda like quality that most possess. Each drink has different amounts and come in various sizes so the user can choose how much caffeine they feel they need. Unlike coffee, they come in different flavors to suit your taste. Sure, coffee may come in vanilla or hazelnut, but have you ever tried a mango or fruit punch coffee?

Since the creation of energy drinks I have become an out of control addict who must try each new can or bottle that comes out on the market. I consider myself a sort of connoisseur on the subject of energy drinks, and have tried every brand out there from Hulk Hogan's to the infamous Cocaine (which wasn't that great, by the way).

Most energy drinks contain about the same amount of caffeine as two cups of coffee. In fact, most coffee drinkers think energy drinks are an abomination and freak out when they see me drinking one. This is completely ridiculous when compared to the guy who asks for three shots of espresso added to his morning latte.

Coffee, when compared to energy drinks, is hot, needs proper preparation and can cause gastrointestinal problems for many people. Just because you buy your coffee from the same place every morning doesn't mean you're getting the identical cup of joe each morning. Although coffee is relatively cheap it contains limited amounts of caffeine. Energy drinks are inexpensive when compared to the only coffee brand with enough caffeine to be comparable to them - Starbucks.
Doctors say that caffeine is an addiction and that people who guzzle down energy drinks are just feeding their habit. In a country that has 7,950 Starbucks nationwide it's hard to believe that everyone is a walking addict. If all caffeine fiends are indeed addicts, what harm are we causing? In a society where we overextend ourselves on a daily basis, caffeine is a welcome addition to the daily lives of many.

So what's wrong with an energy drink or two? They often have similar levels of caffeine when compared to coffee, and frequently contain vitamins to aid in the expansion of the natural energy you may be lacking. Just like anything else we consume, moderation is key. Who cares if I prefer a can of Red Bull to a double shot mocha latte?