Is Celsius Legit?

When people feel tired in the morning, most reach for a steaming cup of coffee. Actually, they grab one every morning, tired or not. But in high schools across America, coffee is out, and Celsius is in. What is Celsius, and more importantly, should you allow your kids to drink it?

Celsius is a popular energy drink brand. While Red Bull and Monster once dominated the market, Celsius has managed to claw its way into supermarkets and convenience stores everywhere by positioning itself as a health-conscious option. Unlike the bold, edgy branding of its competitors, Celsius emphasizes natural ingredients, no artificial preservatives, and claims of metabolism-boosting benefits. Its sleek, minimalist can design and association with fitness influencers appeal to health-focused consumers looking for an energy boost without the stigma of traditional energy drinks. Unlike other brands that target gamers and athletes, Celsius markets itself as a "healthy" alternative to these chemical-filled drinks.

Celsius’s branding makes the drink look more like a flavored seltzer than an energy drink. The cans proudly proclaim natural flavors and colors, the ability to boost metabolism, and even help with weight loss. These claims are misleading at best and false at worst. For example, while Celsius advertises its ability to boost metabolism, studies have shown that the thermogenic effect from such drinks is minimal and temporary, with no significant impact on long-term weight loss. Additionally, the presence of vitamins in Celsius is comparable to what you'd find in a standard multivitamin, offering no unique health advantage when consumed through the drink.

The component in coffee that provides an energy boost is caffeine, which blocks the hormone that makes us feel tired. While a typical cup of coffee contains around 100 milligrams of caffeine, a can of Celsius has 200 milligrams. That extra 100 mg may not seem like a big deal, but it is. The recommended daily intake of caffeine is 400 mg, and Celsius contains half of that in just one small can. The energy spike people experience can be intense. Some reported reactions include increased alertness, a faster heart rate, and restlessness, especially in individuals sensitive to caffeine.

While these effects might help some adults focus, they are not suitable for kids. Adults need coffee just to keep up with their children’s energy levels. Imagine sending your already energetic child to school, hyped up on more caffeine than they can handle, and expecting the teacher to keep them calm. It’s hard enough for our educators as it is, and Celsius only makes things worse.

But Celsius doesn’t care. They’re a business, after all, and they have their marketing strategy down to a science. They sponsor young influencers with even younger audiences. These influencers are idolized by their followers, and simply taking a sip or two of the drink is enough to convince kids to spend their pocket money on it. Similar to how Prime sells a low-quality drink to fans of Logan Paul and KSI, Celsius influences kids to buy their products.

And it’s not just your kids that Celsius targets. They’ve jumped on the unfortunate trend of making bogus claims on their products. Celsius does not significantly boost your metabolism, nor will it magically help you lose weight.

Maintaining a healthy diet does that. Celsius boasts that it contains "Essential Energy" and "7 essential vitamins." A chocolate chip cookie contains more of both. "Essential Energy" is just a fancy term for calories, and every food contains various vitamins and nutrients.

Now, I’m not going to say that Celsius is dangerous, but it’s best to stay away from drinks like these. There isn’t much benefit to drinking them over having a second cup of coffee, and growing research suggests that avoiding artificial sweeteners is a good idea. Maybe just stick with water, or consider healthier alternatives like herbal teas, coconut water, or natural fruit-infused water for a refreshing and nutritious option.

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Moshe Orbach was born and bred in Kew Gardens Hills. Moshe is a product of our yeshivah system and yearns to give back to his community. Fitness and health are Moshe's longtime passions. Moshe wants everyone to lead their daily life energized, and aware of their body's potential, no matter their age. Moshe can be reached for personal training, diet plans, and more at (917) 217-9271.