Opinion: The energy boost isn’t worth the risk
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We’ve all seen the cans. No matter if you’re glancing around your 200-person lecture hall or cheering on the Ducks at a football game, the “essential energy” drink, Celsius, is inescapable. As a caffeine fan myself, I’ve certainly succumbed to the tantalizing flavors in hopes of “living fit.” Still, due to the health risks and destructive cultures perpetuated by Celsius, I implore that we ditch the drink for the sake of our overall well-being (and our pockets, too).
The primary concern with Celsius revolves around its short and long-term potential side effects. Due to the relative newness of metabolism-boosting technology and a lack of corporate transparency, it’s difficult to discern its exact health effects. Overall, there’s a complete lack of research into its specific blend of ingredients, making it difficult for consumers to make properly informed decisions.
As an energy drink, Celsius may lead to higher blood pressure than other caffeinated beverages due to additional ingredients other than caffeine that make up the “essential energy blend.” In a 2017 study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, medical researchers observed that “the correct QT Interval and systolic BP were significantly higher post high-volume energy drink consumption when compared to caffeine alone.”
And for many people, Celsius is a necessity, bordering on addiction. UO freshman, Alexandra Locsin, shared her experience, saying, “I typically drink around three cans a day. It’s really easy to find on campus, so I’ll just grab one when I need a boost of energy throughout the day.”
Aside from harming your body, I’d argue that the culture surrounding Celsius is equally destructive. Marketed as a dietary supplement that “accelerates metabolism” and “burns body fat,” Celsius is seen as the weight-loss friendly alternative to typical energy drinks, such as Red Bull and Monster Energy. I worry that this narrative perpetuates ever-present diet culture, encouraging consumers to opt for a potentially detrimental beverage in hopes of losing weight. On TikTok, users even go as far as to describe Celsius as “the next Ozempic” for its size-shrinking abilities.
Indirectly, Celsius also encourages students to sacrifice sleep as a part of “hustle culture.” With its 200 milligrams of caffeine per can and wide accessibility, it’s common for students to seek out Celsius as a sleep alternative compared to other sources of caffeine. Coffee, for instance, historically serves as a staple of your morning routine, a moment to reflect before the busy day ahead, and as a pick-me-up when needed. On the other hand, energy drinks are a means of persevering through the endless list of tasks, often viewed as a replacement for proper sleep or diet.
In its college-directed marketing campaigns, Celsius strikes me as predatory. For example, with its massively popular Celsius University program, the brand has college students gain “hands-on marketing experience” by handing out mass quantities of free products on campus. While I understand the hands-on appeal, I can’t help but see a problem with using students to get their peers hooked on a product, especially knowing the financial burden of a Celsius addiction. Costing over two dollars per can, consistently drinking Celsius is not for the faint of heart or wallet.
Additionally, as of late August this year, UO has entered into a partnership with Celsius, along with three other universities. LEARFIELD, the media and technology company behind this partnership, describes its details: “Partnering with LEARFIELD presents CELSIUS with an incredible opportunity to further integrate CELSIUS into the world of college sports, continuing to drive brand awareness on campuses nationwide and leverage our expanding CELSIUS University program.”
What’s the solution to our caffeine conundrum? It’s simple: drink coffee or tea. They’re both historically popular options for a reason. So much more research has been done on their health effects; they’re delicious and made from natural ingredients, and encourage a balance of productivity, sleep and proper diet. Don’t waste your money and heart function on Celsius; wake up and invest in yourself.