Battle of the Energy Boosters: Coffee vs Celsius

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I’d say you should choose coffee over Celsius Energy Drink because it is sourced naturally and without dangerous chemicals and additives.

While both of these drinks contain a good amount of caffeine, coffee is a beverage extracted naturally from coffee beans, while Celsius is a flavored energy drink that is also marketed as a fitness drink.

Obviously, Celsius and coffee come with their own strengths and weaknesses. Choosing which of these drinks you should go for depends on your preference and caffeine needs.

For this post, let’s focus on comparing coffee and Celsius to help you decide better which one suits your needs.

So without further ado, let’s start!

Coffee VS Celsius: Background

As you know, coffee is a beverage that is brewed hot and is sourced naturally. On the other hand, Celsius is an energy drink marketed as a fitness drink and is loaded with caffeine, vitamins, and other processed ingredients.

There are different coffee variants and each one has caffeine content that varies. Also, Celsius comes in different flavors with varying caffeine contents.

To choose the best drink for your needs, you should determine your level of physical activity and consider your sensitivity to the caffeine stimulant.

If you’re curious to know how much caffeine is in coffee, this article is for you!

Coffee VS Celsius: Ingredients

Caffeine is the common ingredient found in Celsius and coffee which makes you energetic after consuming these drinks.

The benefits of caffeine are:

  • enhanced brain function
  • improved performance
  • alertness
  • weight loss
  • liver health
  • skin care
  • reduces the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and some types of cancer

Now:

Let’s compare the ingredients of coffee and Celsius.

Celsius

MetaPlus proprietary blend is the highlight of Celsius ingredients known for their thermogenic effect that helps your body burn more calories.

Some examples of thermogenic foods are ginger, tea, and guarana.

Here’s a complete list of ingredients in Celsius Energy Drinks:

  • Vitamin C
  • Riboflavin
  • Niacin
  • Vitamin B6
  • Vitamin B12 
  • Biotin
  • Polyphenols
  • Hydrocinnamic Acid
  • Pantothenic Acid
  • Calcium
  • Chromium
  • Carbonated Water
  • Citric Acid
  • Cafestol
  • Kahweol
  • Fruit & Vegetable Juice for Color
  • Sucralose
  • Natural Flavor

As you can see, Celsius is packed with ingredients that are mostly synthesized which could be a problem if you decided to consume the drink long-term.

However, as long as you aim to drink Celsius in moderation, there shouldn’t be any problem.

Coffee

coffee in a white ceramic cup

Coffee is packed with antioxidants such as chromium and magnesium. These antioxidants benefit your health in so many ways such as by lowering the risk for several diseases, strengthening your immune system, and improving your organ function.

Here are the main ingredients of coffee.

  • Caffeine
  • Tannin
  • Thiamin
  • Xanthine
  • Spermidine
  • Guaiacol
  • Citric acid
  • Chlorogenic acid
  • Acetaldehyde
  • Spermine
  • Putrescine
  • Scopoletin

Coffee VS Celsius: Nutrition Facts

Celsius

If you see the label of the nutrition facts in Celsius energy drinks, you will come to know that most nutrients and vitamins provide a serving of 100% daily value.

The percentage of the daily value indicates how much a certain component contributes to your requirement of daily nutritional intake.

This implies that Celsius can provide you with the nutrients that your body needs in a day.

Check this table to see the nutritional facts of Celsius per 16 fl. oz.

ContentAmount Per ServingDaily Value
Calories15
Total Carbohydrate2 g1%
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)60 mg100%
Riboflavin1.7 mg100%
Niacin (as niacinamide)20 mg 100%
Vitamin B6 (as pyridoxine hydrochloride)2 mg 100%
Vitamin B12 (as cyanocobalamin)6 mg100%
Biotin300 mg100%
Pantothenic Acid (as calcium d-pantothenate)10 mg100%
Calcium(as calcium carbonate)50 mg5%
Chromium (chelate)50 mg41%
Citrulline2 g
MetaPlus Proprietary Blend1.81g
Nutrition Facts of Celsius Energy Drink

Coffee

coffee beans

If you consider coffee’s nutrients, nearly all of them are close to zero percent of the adults’ recommended dietary allowance, excluding Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) which contains 9% of the RDA. 

But your cup of coffee surely contains a lot of vitamins and minerals.

No wonder coffee is known to lower the risk of life-threatening diseases such as heart disease, Alzheimer’s, type 2 diabetes, dementia, and certain types of cancer.

For a better view of coffee’s nutrition facts, check out this table!

ContentAmount Per ServingDaily Value
Energy2.4 kcal
Protein0.288 gvaries on body weight
Total Lipid (fat)0.048 g0%
Carbohydrate0 g0%
Dietary Fiber0 g0%
Sugars (including NLEA)2 mg0%
Calcium4.8 mg0.48%
Iron0.024 mg0.3%
Magnesium7.2 mg2%
Phosphorus7.2 mg1%
Potassium118 mg3%
Sodium4.8 mg0.2%
Zinc0.048 mg0.4%
Copper0.005 mg0.5%
Thiamin0.034 mg3%
Riboflavin0.182 mg9%
Niacin0.458 mg3%
Choline6.24 mg1%
Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol)0.024mg0.16%
Data taken from Food and Nutrient Database for Dietary Studies by the USDA published in 2020.

Celsius Energy Advantages

Energy Boost

Celsius claims to give you the sustainable energy that your body requires throughout the day. This makes it a great choice for people who want to live a healthy and active lifestyle.

I noticed Celsius really invested a huge effort in marketing this drink. There are studies proving the efficacy of this drink which you can check through their website.

Helps You Lose Weight

Celsius is created to speed up your metabolism, increasing your fat-burning process.

A can of Celsius Energy contains EGCG, green tea, caffeine, taurine, guarana seed extract, and ginger root extract, which are all effective in accelerating your body’s metabolic processes.

However, this effect works best if you consume Celsius during your workouts!

Still, exercise and a balanced diet are more effective in terms of weight loss.

No Artificial Additives

Furthermore, Celsius does not include any preservatives and artificial colors, or aspartame.

Aspartame may cause headaches, and in the long run, can increase the risk of several health issues such as migraines, cardiovascular disease, seizures, intestinal dysbiosis, and strokes. 

Celsius Energy Drink Disadvantages

There is about 200 mg of caffeine in a can of Celsius, which can be high for someone with caffeine sensitivity.

Experts suggest limiting Celsius’s intake by two servings in a day to remain on the safe side. Exceeding the recommended dose can make you experience rapid heartbeat, anxiety, and increased blood pressure.

Moreover, consuming energy drinks long-term can lead to other health issues such as poor oral health, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.

That said, I strongly suggest drinking Celsius Energy in moderation and only consuming it if you really need a boost.

Still, coffee is a better choice, health-wise!

Coffee Advantages

Improved Physical Performance

a person exercising

Studies have revealed that caffeine can also be effective in boosting your metabolic rate by 3 to 11 percent. 

Coffee can improve physical performance. It has been observed to release fatty acids and enhanced adrenaline levels resulting in an amazing physical performance. 

Nutrients

Coffee is loaded with important nutrients such as pantothenic acid, riboflavin, manganese, potassium, magnesium, and niacin.

It packs a powerful punch of antioxidants which are beneficial to your body and can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and many other diseases.

To expand on this section, take a look at this video explaining the benefits of coffee!

Mayo Clinic on the Benefits of Coffee

Coffee Disadvantages

Excessive coffee consumption can cause your body to lose calcium, therefore, drinking large amounts of coffee for an extended period can raise your risk of having fragile bones.

Too much coffee can also cause sleep disorders.

Just as the case with Celsius, the drawbacks of consuming coffee only occurs when you do not stick to the limit of daily caffeine consumption.

Does Celsius Have More Caffeine than Coffee?

Yes, Celsius contains more caffeine than coffee.

A can of Celsius has around 200 mg of caffeine, while an average black coffee contains 96 mg of caffeine.

This high caffeine content of Celsius means it can only be consumed twice a day, following the FDA guidelines for caffeine consumption.

To Sum It All Up

Coffee and Celsius are not in competition with each other. They cater to people with different preferences and needs.

I would suggest consuming hot coffee in the morning alongside breakfast. And if you need a quick boost and a stronger caffeine kick, Celsius is an option.

Although both drinks contain caffeine, Celsius might be a better choice for your daily workouts; and coffee if you want to just relax and get enough boost for the entire day.

Lastly, it all boils down to your preferences. However, in my opinion, coffee is the safest choice because it comes from a natural source which makes it a healthier option.

Also, keep in mind the caffeine limit when consuming both drinks to avoid any discomfort.