For the past decade, I've relied on two cups of coffee a day. But after recently becoming a new mom, I'm finding it even harder to make it through the day without feeling completely exhausted and depleted.
I wondered if it was time to replace my coffee habit with a daily energy drink.
According to Dr. Laura Purdy, a board-certified family-medicine physician, energy drinks are generally considered to be safe. But it's usually beneficial to speak with your doctor before drinking them, especially if you have high blood pressure, kidney problems, or are taking certain medications.
She said some people find that energy drinks help them concentrate and focus, but there are possible drawbacks. Drinking anything with caffeine in it can be dehydrating, plus, Purdy said, you might have a withdrawal or letdown period if you're frequently consuming high amounts of caffeine.
With that in mind, I decided to test out four of the most popular energy-drink brands on the market and rate each one. I had one energy drink a day at 10 a.m., when I'd usually have my first cup of coffee, and I made sure to drink them on a full stomach.
Here's how the brands stacked up.