Graphic by Carolyn Chen ’25/The Choate News
By Ella Fraser ’27
For many students, the energy drink Celsius is their go-to source of caffeine. However, the Celsius craze recently found itself at odds with the Choate Store. As of April 5, the store no longer sells the beverage due to health concerns.
Despite its popularity, the decision to no longer sell Celsius came after a highly caffeinated substance, guarana, was found in it. Guarana beans contain 2-8% caffeine, as opposed to 1-3% in coffee beans, meaning that a can of Celsius is the equivalent of four to five cups of coffee.
Consequently, the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA), the National Olympic Committee, and the World Anti-Doping Agency became concerned and banned drinks with the substance. Additionally, the excessive amount of caffeine in the drinks may damage sleep cycles and cause anxiety or irregular heartbeat. “The NCAA banned substances that are in the drink, so the School didn’t want it on campus,” Higher Learning Supply Company (HLSC) District Manager Ms. Kerry Kuhn, who helps run the Choate store, explained. “They keep a close eye on the high caffeinated drinks here [at Choate].”
Anne Coady ’26, an avid Celsius drinker, was initially devastated by the change but understands the positive intentions behind its removal. “Honestly, it is a bit upsetting, however, I understand that Choate is trying to keep their students healthy,” she said.
With the newfound removal of Celsius, many students have resorted to other energy drinks. “A lot of them have already transitioned over to something else, like Uptime [Energy]. The Uptimes are actually a little bit healthier for everybody,” Ms. Kuhn said.
The Choate Store’s decision to remove Celsius from its shelves came as a disappointment to many students. Nevertheless, the Choate Store will not bring the drink back unless concerns regarding sports regulations and health can be dismissed with certainty.
