Red Bull vs Coffee Comprehensive Comparison: Should You Put Red Bull in Coffee?
Caffeine is the most extensively consumed stimulant in the world. Each day, billions of people count on caffeine to give a kick-start to their day or to get through their night shifts. The brain and central nervous system are stimulated by it, which helps you stay alert and fight off tiredness.
The gut readily absorbs caffeine into the bloodstream after its consumption. Its main effect is on the brain as it blocks adenosine’s effects, making you feel less tired. People are not only reaching for coffee to achieve their caffeinated rush. As for their caffeine fix, many people rely on coffee, while others turn to energy drinks like Red Bull.
Have you ever wondered what will happen to you if you mixed Red Bull and coffee? Then drink them as one drink? No, right. Because who does that? So should you put Red Bull in your coffee?
It is certainly not recommended to mix Red Bull in coffee and drink the concoction. They should be made and drunk separately and in moderation. Monitor your intake not to consume too much caffeine and teeter on the edge of a caffeine overdose.
This article will take you on this journey and explain the difference between Red Bull vs Coffee and if we should infuse Red Bull with coffee.
Red Bull vs Coffee Comparison
Now, we will focus on comparing the differences between Red Bull and Coffee. It is important to highlight that the emphasis will be on the content of these two products and not on how you consume the product. Coffee is very much a social drink, and Red Bull is consumed as a drink of choice, whether at home or out in public.
Consumption
“ Red Bull gives you wings.”
Whether you recognize Red Bull from this slogan or the popular blue and silver cans, the chances are that you know it. Red Bull has the highest market share of all energy drinks globally. It is popular with those looking for a quick pick-me-up and even those looking for a serious workout booster.
On the other hand, coffee is a drink that people generally make themselves. It is consumed before, during, and after other activities like studying, working out, or simply relaxing. Coffee is also a beverage that has been consumed for many centuries, making it one of the oldest drinks in the book.
While both Red Bull and coffee are popular beverages, coffee has the edge in caffeine consumption. Coffee is the leading caffeine drink in the United States, with 75% of Americans reported drinking coffee and 49% drinking coffee daily. Even though Red Bull is still a top brand in the States, it is hardly anywhere near the coffee consumption rate.
Caffeine Content
How much caffeine is in coffee and Red Bull? Which has more caffeine? These are some questions that you might want to be answered.
A study found that a cup of coffee contains 100 mg of caffeine while a can of red bull has only 80 mg of caffeine. So clearly, coffee has more caffeine than Red Bull.
Even though the caffeine content in coffee is slightly higher than in Red Bull, this does not mean that coffee is better or worse. This means that coffee and Red Bull are pretty much the same, caffeine-wise. However, the difference is really insignificant as it does not impact either drink’s performance when consumed moderately.
Energy Booster or Stimulant?
Stimulants like taurine are commonly found in Red Bull. Taurine is a vital amino acid that helps in many of the body’s metabolic processes. Taurine had initially been produced from bull semen, but thankfully, it is now reproduced and made via synthetic processes. Other stimulants in Red Bull that coffee lacks are as follows:
Inositol – a chemical compound that enhances mood and helps the brain use serotonin better.
Vitamin B3 – a vitamin that helps in the formation of energy, which is needed in aerobic exercise. It provides metabolism to the energy of fats and carbohydrates. It can help the body generate energy from the food consumed.
Vitamin B6 – helps red blood cells to form and enhance the oxygenation of blood. It also helps release the sugar stored in the body to use as an energy boost.
These stimulants found in Red Bull seem to suggest that Red Bull improves cognitive and physical performance. However, it is more probable that the effects of Red Bull can be attributed to the caffeine rather than the other ingredients. It seems drinking cold coffee induces the same effects as drinking Red Bull–and best of all, it’s much cheaper!
Antioxidants
While red bull has been found to contain antioxidant properties, coffee is the beverage with the highest antioxidant activity. A study done by the Harvard School of Public Health found that drinking three or more cups of coffee each day lowered the risk of dying from heart disease by 20%. Antioxidants in coffee also help in delaying the signs of aging. There’s really nothing to argue here. Coffee is a healthy and convenient antioxidant source, which trumps Red Bull. Coffee lovers rejoice!
Sugar Content
Red Bull contains 24 grams of sugar, and coffee contains 7 grams of sugar, or none at all if you choose to have sugarless plain black coffee. Without a doubt, Red bull has more sugar than coffee. Excessive sugar intake leads to several diseases such as diabetes, obesity, and tooth decay. Hence, if you want to control your sugar intake, go with coffee.
Some might argue that the sugar-free Red Bull offers an alternative option. However, Red Bull Sugarfree may still increase the risk of diabetes. This is because it contains aspartame and acesulfame K (artificial sweeteners) linked to diabetes.
Calorie Content
Now, if we talk about the calorie content in both the drinks undiluted, Red Bull has more calories by a long shot. However, if you start adding milk, sugar, and other flavor lumps to your coffee, it will begin to even out. So if you’re looking to soften out the coffee’s intensity, opt for less sugar intake and low-fat milk.
Red Bull vs Coffee: Who is the Winner?
One of the most significant points of disagreement regarding choosing between Red Bull and coffee is when it comes to the gym. Red Bull is often recommended to athletes because they help avoid energy crashes and boosts performance. But we have since debunked this myth as caffeine is the main ingredient in Red Bull that has been found to enhance performance. So it may be better off just to down a cup of cold iced coffee before hitting the weights.
All in all, if you want an option that you should be reaching out to daily, I would have to say coffee is the clear winner here. Coffee has better health benefits and a lower risk of adverse effects than Red Bull. You can always count on coffee for that extra energy boost, especially at the start of your mornings.
Should You Put Red Bull in Coffee?
The direct effect of mixing your coffee with an energy drink like Red Bull is unknown since there is limited research regarding this. However, the two products do contain about the same amount of caffeine. While caffeine’s dangers with Red Bull are not confirmed, too much caffeine is always a bad idea. Studies have also suggested that normal adults can safely drink up to 4 cups of coffee (400 mg) or 5 cans of Red Bull (1.2 liters or 42 ounces). You yourself do the calculations of what will happen if you mix the two.
Effects of Excessive Caffeine Consumption
Excessive caffeine can disturb your natural sleeping patterns, as well as increase anxiety and irritability, restlessness, upset stomach, fast heartbeat tremors, and a long list of other symptoms. So if you mix Red Bull with coffee, it will take on additional caffeine. Too much caffeine causes anxiety, sleep deprivation/insomnia, irritability, jitters, stress, and you will experience withdrawal symptoms no matter what you do. Withdrawal symptoms are kind of hard to avoid since you need to calm down at some point, usually in the late afternoons or evenings, to sleep.
Caffeine may also cause more disadvantages to a person who is already suffering from other health problems. Even if there is no possible link connecting caffeine and the heart, people who’re more sensitive to caffeine and its effects might experience palpitations and, consequently, reduce caffeine intake.
Is it Better to Drink Coffee or Energy Drink?
There’s been a dramatic increase in the number of energy drinks worldwide. There are more than 500 different energy drink products on the market to date. So how does coffee stand when compared to other energy drinks?
Like Red Bull, other energy drinks like Monster and Rockstar are not better off when compared to coffee. While these energy drinks contain high caffeine content, it is negligible when you put them alongside coffee caffeine. Further, energy drinks contain undesirable ingredients such as aspartame, chemicals, and various artificial and unnatural flavorings. On the other hand, coffee has minimal side effects when consumed in moderation. There are no alternatives to coffee like there are to energy drinks. Coffee is the most common and accessible caffeinated beverage on the market.
Final Thoughts
Coffee and Red Bull are, simply put, caffeinated beverages with their own health benefits in their own range. They do differ in nutrient content, where Red Bull has more vitamin B content and coffee has more antioxidants, but they also contain more or less the same amounts of caffeine.
Both are better when drunk in moderation. Because of the low-calorie count and its antioxidants, coffee should be the ideal choice to consume or intake daily. Although Red Bull does have vitamin B supplements that coffee doesn’t, it should still be drunk and occasionally enjoyed at parties rather than regularly like coffee.
We hope you liked this article and that it stirred up questions regarding Red Bull and coffee. Or if you already had such questions, we hope you got some much-needed answers!
