Food for Thought

There are few things I despise more than the commercial breaks during IU basketball games.

This season, my hatred has grown even more because of a new sponsor of the Big Ten Network: 5-hour ENERGY shots. Thus, in addition to the constant stream of commercials from GEICO’s uncountable  ad campaigns, I now have to endure cheesy ads for the energy drink promising “long-lasting energy with no crash later.”

Sleep-deprived and overworked college students represent a key demographic for energy drinks.

According to ads, this little bottle offers a “no sugar and zero net carbs option to beat that 2:30 in the afternoon sluggish feeling” that comes with our fast-paced lifestyle.
The energy shots provide more than 2,000 percent daily value of B6 and 8,333 percent of B12. It is this special “blend” of vitamins that the ads attribute the boost in energy to.

The ads portray this as a natural alternative since “its key ingredients can be found in everyday foods like avocados, broccoli, bananas and apples.”

In reality, energy cannot actually be obtained from vitamins or minerals — they can only help the enzymes that do produce energy. The jolt felt from the product is most likely the caffeine it packs.

At $4 a pop, I do not understand why individuals would not receive this amount of caffeine that is about ”equivalent to a cup of coffee” from an actual cup of coffee and not worry about potentially overdosing on vitamin B.

The growth and popularity of 5-hour ENERGY shots is indicative of the fast-paced and unhealthy lifestyles of college students and Americans as a whole. To ease the burden of busy college schedules, we all are looking for the next quick fix.

Even IU Coach Tom Crean relies on his own powder energy drink mix called “Liftoff” by Herbalife, more commonly recognized as the brown liquid in his Dasani water bottle
each game.

Energy drink companies’ ad campaigns center on the idea that our schedules are so jammed-packed, we are unable to fit in sleeping and eating correctly.

Being a double major and involved in many organizations around campus, I understand this feeling. When my schedule becomes hectic, it can be easy to not prioritize treating my body well.

Resorting to using cheap energy drinks or gimmicks is not the answer, however. Through my own personal trial and error, I can also say that resorting to drinking grande-sized cups of Starbucks is not the answer, either.

The best way to fight the dreaded “afternoon slump” or fatigue any time of day is to maintain an adequate sleeping and workout regimen.

To keep energy up all day long, taking short walks or eating protein-packed snacks such as a handful of nuts or peanut butter can be beneficial.

The world depicted in 5-hour ENERGY shots commercials is not one I want to live in.
While it is important to work hard and be ambitious, it is equally important to continue to maintain a healthy lifestyle and not rely on quick fixes.

- hspence@indiana.edu