In recent years, the popularity of energy drinks have exploded, with sales increasing by over 70% since 2018. Particularly, the popularity of energy drinks among Gen Z has increased drastically, growing the US market’s value to an extreme $21 billion, with projected growth in the future years. The demographic for energy drinks of all kinds has expanded past just men and women, older Millennials and even female Gen Z and Gen Alpha children are ingesting the drinks. A recent poll conducted with WEHS students revealed that 72% of people enjoyed energy drinks, and out of those consumers, up to 16% drink an energy drink daily. If not daily, consumers voted that 54% have an energy drink of their choice once a week, and 15% have an energy drink two to three days per week. This data is a shocking portrayal of the sheer popularity that energy drinks have risen to. A popularity that may not be for the better.
“I started drinking energy drinks in high school because I started to have really early mornings and late nights at school all day and I needed something to get me through the day,” junior Sophie Delgado said. “I usually have them once a week.”
Energy drinks offer a temporary rush, with large amounts of caffeine and sugar that guarantee a sugar rush and stimulate the nervous system. Some may view energy drinks as a quick fix in between shifts, a bandaid when tired. Some teens may even stay up later and skip out on necessary sleep because of the fallback energy drinks provide.
“I usually get energy drinks two to three times a week,” junior Samantha Finch said. “I find energy drinks enjoyable because of their variety of flavors and options as well as making me feel energized for my day.”
Alongside the temporary effects of alertness, energy drinks are a cheap and simple way to treat yourself. A $3 energy drink instead of an $8 Starbucks drink seems like a better option in the moment.
“While I do think that energy drinks are more cost effective than coffees, I usually get them more because of their cheaper price so usually it ends up being around the same price spent on coffee and energy drinks,” Finch said.
Whether energy drinks are here to last or not is unknown, but one thing is for sure: Wylie East runs on energy drinks.
“Every class, I see at least two or three students with energy drinks,” Algebra II teacher Cara Dazey said. “I have a student who brings three or four everyday. Energy drinks are everywhere.”
