It’s finals week and you’re pulling an all-nighter studying for your final chemistry exam. As 3 a.m. rolls around you feel yourself dozing off, so what do you do? If you find yourself grabbing that Red Bull from the fridge, you should think twice about how that quick fix is really affecting you.

Energy drinks are becoming more and more popular in today’s fast paced, on-the-go society. They contain a significant amount of caffeine and taurine to give the body a “boost.” According to Paul Ratte, ND, naturopath practitioner at Northwestern Health Sciences University’s Woodwinds Natural Care Center in Woodbury, Minn., energy drinks are simply stimulation. “They are not an effective way to energize yourself,” he explains. “We live in an over-stimulated society; we don’t need more stimulation. Energy drinks will give you energy for a few hours; but eventually your body will crash.”

Dr. Ratte adds that energy drinks are essentially the same thing as coffee, however many of them have more sugar, and are sweeter tasting. Energy drinks are targeted to a separate market group – male teenagers, and people in their 20’s. “One of the problems with energy drinks is that people drink them regularly,” says Dr. Ratte. “There are many things that aren’t good for you, such as French fries, but people don’t eat them every day.”

Another problem is misconceptions about other beverages on the market. “One example is Vitamin water. People drink Vitamin water thinking it’s healthy; however it’s not much better than drinking a soda,” says Dr. Ratte. Vitamin water contains a sweetener and additives that add calories. If you’re eating a balanced diet, you won’t likely benefit from drinking Vitamin water.

Dr. Ratte suggests these 10 healthy ways to stay energized without energy drinks.

• Get an adequate amount of sleep;
• Eat protein for breakfast;
• Exercise;
• Take a break;
• Take a B complex vitamin;
• Eat small, frequent meals;
• Deep breathing exercises;
• Take a 10 – 15 minute nap;
• Expose yourself to sunlight; and
• Stay hydrated – your weight divided by two is the number of ounces of water you need.

So the next time you’re thinking you need that can of Monster to get through your day, think twice. Living a healthier life is the best way to boost your energy.