Celsius vs. Coffee

Which One To Choose as Finals Creep Up?

By Ava Baima

Photograph by Emma Almaraz

There has long been a debate over whether you should choose a coffee or a Celsius for a midday caffeine pick-me-up. The average BU student may wonder, “Should I go to CityCo to pick up a Celsius, or go to Starbucks and get an iced latte?” I’ve been there too, and this article breaks down the pros and cons of each option.

Pros of Celsius:

High caffeine content

One Celsius contains 200 mg of caffeine, which is half of the maximum recommended daily amount for adults. This gives you a solid boost to help power you through the rest of your day.

Fruit flavors

Celsius offers a lot of fun flavors, including blends of fruits, lemonades, and teas. One example is Sparkling Mango Lemonade, and the brand also offers fizz-free versions. Coffee usually has a more bitter or chocolatey taste, so if fruitier flavors are more what you’re into, a Celsius might be your style.

High in vitamins and minerals

Celsius contains several essential nutrients, including Vitamin B and Vitamin C. Other additives, such as ginger root and green tea extract, help increase metabolism.  

Pros of coffee:

Lower caffeine content

While a high caffeine content works well for some people, a lower dose may be preferred for others. Maybe you don’t want too much caffeine, or you’re very sensitive to it. A grande Starbucks iced latte has about 150 mg of caffeine, which is slightly less than a Celsius.

Customizable 

Instead of set flavors, you can dream big when ordering your coffee. You can choose how many pumps of syrup you want, whether to add cold foam, and even the kind of espresso you’d like. Coffee can also become a fun DIY project if you make it at home!

Natural benefits 

Coffee contains anti-inflammatory and antioxidative compounds. These properties can help protect against oxidative stress that could lead to neurodegenerative conditions, such as Alzheimer’s disease. Coffee can also act as a prebiotic, and some blends even have dietary fiber, both aiding in digestion.

If you really had to pick one, coffee may be the better option since it’s naturally derived from the Earth. But both have their own benefits and flavors, and an energy drink now and then likely won’t hurt. Good luck caffeinating!