A term not normally associated with energy drinks is “healthy”.
You will likely associate them with power, as they both have high amounts of caffeine and sugar which can quickly increase your energy levels.
You may associate energy drinks with better performance due to their energy-boosting qualities and their vitamin content, which could help enhance a workout.
You might consider drinking energy drinks in order to ward off sluggishness or exhaustion which might come from strenuous work or studying.
Nevertheless, ideas such as “calories,” “jitters,” and “insomnia” – in addition to ideas like “addictive” or “unhealthy” – are as likely to be thought of.
Those descriptions of energy drink effects aren’t unfair. The majority of these extremely well-liked drinks contain a lot of sugar, calories, and caffeine that can lead to weight increase, distress, and sleeping disorders.
It is possible to develop an addiction to these products and there is evidence that they may lead to health issues such as hypertension and cardiovascular disease.
It is only equitable to point out that over-consumption of either soda or fruit juice can be detrimental to one’s health. Energy drinks appear to be a danger to your health and wellbeing in several different ways.
Most people don’t just declare to themselves that they will not drink energy drinks if they know the drinks can be bad for them. Instead, the typical reaction is to wonder if there are any healthier versions available.
It is possible for something to be more beneficial for your health, even though that does not necessarily mean it is completely healthy.
Let us analyze the energy drinks that have become so popular in the beginning of the 21st century – and discover which of them are the best for your wellbeing.
What Are Energy Drinks?
A beverage with stimulant substances, usually caffeine, in it, which is used to promote mental and physical alertness, is called an energy drink. They can be either fizzy or still and can be made with sugar, artificial sweeteners, herbs, taurine, and proteins. They fall into the broader range of energy products that are different from sports drinks, which are typically marketed to maximize an athlete’s capabilities. This drink category contains numerous brands and different types.
There is no reliable evidence to suggest that any of the ingredients in energy drinks other than caffeine and sugar have any influence. Caffeine is the primary cause of the improvements to cognitive performance, like increased concentration and alertness. Other research suggests that improved performance can be attributed to the combined impact of the different components. Ads for energy drinks often market increased muscle strength and greater stamina, however there is no proof from science to support these assertions.
How Energy Drinks Give You an Energy Boost
No matter what product you are discussing, be it processed meat, winter clothing, or cars, every item in that type of category will have a different combination of ingredients. It’s clear that businesses differ their goods and services from those offered by other organizations.
No matter what, the core elements of all brands are likely to be very similar if not the same. That’s true when the category is energy drinks.
All the most well-known energy drinks are made with fizzy water, naturally. All of them include glucose, sucrose, caffeine, L-theanine, and B vitamins.
The main components to look at are essential because not just for supplying the majority of energy in energy drinks, but also for raising doubts about these drinks’ health effects.
Sugar
The Big 3 energy drink brands (Monster, Red Bull and Rockstar) have between 39 and 47 grams of sugar added to them in 12 ounces.
The sugar level in this item is as high as, or higher than, what you would find in an unadulterated can of Coke. The American Heart Association advises adults not to eat more sugar in one day than what is prescribed.
These drinks have extremely limited fiber and as a result, are composed of between 39 and 47 grams of carbohydrates.
We probably don’t need to tell you. Despite this, numerous studies have showed that frequent intake of large quantities of sugar is connected with diabetes, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease, several kinds of cancer, naturally, being overweight, and metabolic syndrome.
Most energy drinks have a high sugar level, which leads to many calories, with each can having between 160-200.
Caffeine
Caffeine in energy drinks is a desirable component, not an accidental one.
How much caffeine is contained in the cans that people are drinking? It varies.
A 12-ounce can of Red Bull holds 102 milligrams of caffeine, 122 milligrams in Monster, and Rockstar contains the highest amount at 160 milligrams. Certain types contain more caffeine; Rock Star Punched energy drink, as an example, has 240 mg of caffeine in 12 fluid ounces.
Is that a lot? Well, let’s compare.
- Tea: 26 mg of caffeine
- Coke: 27 mg
- Drip Coffee: 70-150 mg depending on coffee beans and brew
- Starbucks Latte, double shot of espresso: 128 mg
- Energy Shot: 215-230 mg
Overall, an average energy drink usually has 5 or 6 times the caffeine content of a Coca-Cola and nearly the same amount of caffeine as a cup of coffee, but considerably less than the caffeine in an energy shot.
It might also be worth mentioning that energy drinks could potentially contain FDA-approved herbal additives such as guarana and guayusa. They are present for a single straightforward purpose: each one also has a large amount of caffeine.
Is all of that caffeine content a problem? Not in and of itself.
According to the Mayo Clinic, adults can consume up to 400mg of caffeine daily without any harm. The issue is for those who consume energy drinks like one would soda. Three Rockstars a day put them in a precarious situation.
Drinking too many energy drinks – similar to having five to six cups of coffee daily – can result in heightened heart rate and blood pressure, sleeplessness, and shakes, which are symptoms that many coffee aficionados are aware of.
L-theanine and B Vitamins
Energy drinks are often fortified with L-theanine and taurine, which are both amino acids, and a hefty dose of B vitamins.
When in combination with caffeine, the amino acid L-theanine (which is found in green tea), is said to have the effect of enhancing alertness and concentration without causing any harm. The amount added to energy drinks is insignificant and won’t likely have much of an impact.
It is believed that taurine and the herbal supplement ginseng, commonly found in energy drinks, can help with gaining more energy and improving concentration. Energy drinks won’t have a great impact.
B vitamins are thought to aid the body’s procedure of converting sustenance into energy in the long run. Taking a lot of B6 or B12 in an energy drink won’t make much of a difference in terms of any energy increase. The vitamins will go in, but then, shortly after, be passed out by the body when you urinate.
Supplements derived from food may prove beneficial to some individuals, as can L-theanine when taken in the right amounts. In energy drinks? They’re just added to make the products sound impressive.
The Healthiest Energy Drinks
Advertising for energy drinks is aimed at young people, and they offer health advantages from the caffeine included, as well as benefits from the extra substances they include. Caffeine-containing energy drinks, according to health experts, improve alertness. Manufacturers of energy drinks have been strongly focused on appealing to teenagers, investing money in sponsoring or being associated with extreme sports competitions, music performances, and promoting the drinks through social media to the same demographic.
Selecting healthful energy drinks can be occasionally difficult and require a lot of effort. Selecting from an abundance of possibilities and various advertisements can seem intimidating and challenging.
Let us consider the most advantageous energy drinks in terms of health.
MatchaBar Hustle
MatchaBar’s Hustle beverage is an invigorating carbonated drink featuring the delicious combination of ceremonial-grade matcha, green tea extract, and citrus notes from lime and lemon extracts. This low-calorie energy drink utilizes matcha as a key component, which is an extract from green tea that is highly esteemed for its wealth of compounds like flavanols, flavonoids and phenolic acids, all of which contribute to improved wellness. Antioxidants are known to combat the destruction brought on by free radicals, thus helping to defend against numerous serious illnesses and medical conditions.
A can of this contains a mere 5 calories and provides around 4% of the daily fiber requirement. This item is marked with certifications that it is without dairy, appropriate according to the kosher diet, suitable for paleo eaters, suitable for vegans and vegetarians, and appropriate for the ketogenic diet. A 12-ounce can contains a moderate amount of caffeine (120 milligrams) for a healthy energy drink alternative. Flavors like lemon-lime, mint, berry, and peach are available.
Guayaki Yerba Mate
The Guayaki Yerba Mate company provides a selection of goods, deeming their canned goods to be particularly energizing. The company promotes its 15.5-ounce drinks as a blend of yerba mate and organic fruit juice without carbonation that has 150 milligrams of caffeine.
Guyaki is a refreshing beverage that contains 24 minerals, vitamins, and 15 different amino acids. The stimulant found in this salutary beverage is from yerba mate. An infusion made with the leaves and branches of llex paraguariensis, known as yerba mate, has rejuvenating properties that can give a jolt of energy while helping individuals experience improved mental clarity, focus, and alertness. Consequently, it’s used in several of the healthiest energy drinks out there, including those of this firm.
Guayaki’s untampered beverage, with a content of 140 milligrams of caffeine and fewer than 1 gram of sugars, is a prime selection. Bear in mind that every portion is made up of 60 calories. The flavors of the product range from Sparkling Classic Gold, Sparkling Pomegranate, Enlighten Mint, Tropical Uprising, Lemon Elation, Orange Exuberance, and Revel Berry. If you are wanting something especially sweet, this beverage is a fine option as it has 27 grams of sugar.
Celsius
Celsius could be a perfect pick if you’re searching for an additional energy boost during exercise. It intends to boost energy and metabolism before workouts. The company claims that this particular dietary supplement might be useful in aiding in weight loss and increasing the amount of calories burned while exercising. Celsius states that metabolic rate can be increased by combing green tea, caffeine, ginger root extract, taurine, and guarana. These last two components are common in energy drinks. The firm states all of their Celsius beverages are devoid of sugar, contain no gluten, are vegan, have no GMOs, and meet the requirements for Kosher. Celsius contains a whopping 200mg of caffeine per can.
Depending on the type of Celsius beverage, each can may feature some vitamins and nutrients. Celsius Peach Vibe contains Vitamins B, C, B6, and B12.
Bai Bubbles
Bai Bubbles is a sparkling antioxidant-infused drink. Each 11.5-ounce Bai Bubbles can is gluten-free. One portion contains just 5 calories and a mere 1 gram of sugar. Certain tastes contain extra vitamins, such as potassium and vitamin C. Bai Bubbles has a lower caffeine content than the other beverages on the list. This item has a low caffeine level of 45 milligrams which is equivalent to the amount found in a cup of green tea rather than a cup of coffee. Nevertheless, all of these beverages are fizzy, providing you with the same ingredients from the drink above, along with effervescence.
Matcha LOVE
Matcha Love Energy is a beverage that brings together green tea and matcha for a healthy energy increase, as well as increased alertness and focus. This drink is packed with antioxidants to give you a gentle surge of energy. ITO EN, a Japanese corporation that produces green tea items, has Matcha LOVE among their range of products.
A 5.2-ounce can of the Matcha LOVE beverage with no added sugar contains around 28 milligrams of caffeine. The same size of the sugared beverage has approximately 29 milligrams of caffeine, which is a bit higher than before.
The advantages of Matcha LOVE can vary depending on the grade of the tea. ITO EN suggests that the matcha used in their beverages is top-quality and sourced from Japan. The USDA Database suggests that Matcha LOVE has a significantly higher amount of Catechin Tea Antioxidants as compared to a traditional green tea, with approximately six times the amount.
RUNA
RUNA is brewed from organic guayusa, an invigorating tea found in South America which contains caffeine. A 12-ounce container of RUNA’s energizing beverages contains as much as 150 milligrams of caffeine. Cecere states that guayusa’s caffeine content is lower than artificial forms, but it still contains many antioxidants. As the drink does not contain any sugar, it is one of the most beneficial, low-calorie energy drinks available. Runa offers a vast selection of teas with a taste like that of tropical fruits. Here are some of the top-rated tastes: berry boost, blood orange, lime kick, mango tango, pineapple lift, and watermelon concentration.