'Cup a Joe' or Energy Drink to Help With Focus? Doesn't Really Matter

Most people will gulp down an energy drink in the hopes that they'll ace a test or presentation with better accuracy and greater attention to detail. However, a new study shows that your favorite blend of coffee will give you just as much of a kick that you need to succeed. 

Researchers examined participants' brain activity while they performed a task designed to require a certain amount of attention. They specifically looked at how fast the brain responded to certain changes in letters that appeared via a computer screen.

Before the test, participants consumed 8 ounces of either water, water with caffeine or water containing the energy drink 5-Hour Energy. The study notes that the caffeinated drinks were adjusted so that participants had the same amount of caffeine per pound of participant's body weight. All of the drinks were also colored blue.

The study shows that while the participants who drank the caffeinated drinks had faster brain responses compared to those who just drank water, there was no difference between those who consumed the caffeinated water or the 5-Hour Energy.

"A lot of people take the energy drinks because they think they have that extra boost over caffeine," said study researcher Chelsea Benham, a student at Centre College in Danville, Ky, according to Live Science. But the study confirms that "there's really no difference," according to Benham.

She adds that when it comes to boosting energy, a cup of coffee "would do you just as well," if it had the same amount of caffeine as an energy drink.

A 2-ounce bottle of 5-Hour Energy contains about 215 milligrams of caffeine, the equivalent of about two cups of coffee.

Researchers note that the advantage of 5-Hour Energy is that it contains a concentrated amount of caffeine. Therefore, when people drink a cup of coffee, they need to consume a larger quantity to get the same caffeinated-effect.

However, health researchers note that there has been much concern over the safety of energy drinks due to their high doses of concentrated caffeine. Heart attack has been linked to some of the products, including 5-Hour Energy and Monster.

Energy drinks may also contain chemicals, including guarana, taurine, L-carnitine, ginseng and yohimbine, which can speed up your heart rate and harm your overall health.

In the end, drink responsibly. 

The study was presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Psychological Science in Washington, D.C., on May 26.