Energy drinks are ubiquitous in our modern world. But how do we know which energy drinks are healthy, and which are not? This article explores the nutritional facts when it comes to energy drinks. You will also find out what alternatives you can use to energy drinks.
Advertisers claim that energy drinks can boost performance, enhance brain function, and provide energy. Despite these claims, some authorities are concerned by the popularity of energy drinks – especially amongst youth. Several schools have banned the beverages following complaints by teachers and staff about student health and behavior.
What Energy Drinks Are
What Energy Drinks Are
The name ‘energy drink’ is a misnomer. Aside from sugar, most energy drinks provide little actual energy. What we experience as a surge in perceived energy is actually the effect of a stimulant compound on our central nervous system. When it comes to energy drinks, this stimulant compound is almost always caffeine.
The effects of energy drinks are due to their stimulant content. Stimulants provide zero energy. By accelerating the functions of your central nervous system, stimulants actually compel your body to expend a great deal of energy. To avoid burnout, and an overstressed metabolism, it’s important you consume adequate calories to match your accelerated metabolism.
This Makes an Energy Drink ‘Natural’ or Healthy
‘Natural’ energy drinks claim to contain ingredients that are less processed or artificial than those in other energy drinks. Many people associate this unrefined approach with good health. Lower sugar and lower calorie content are all hallmarks of so-called healthy energy drinks.
Low Sugar Content
Low Sugar Content
High sugar diets are linked to a host of medical maladies. Sugar is also a source of calories that our bodies can convert with extreme efficiency into energy.
This is why you will often witness high performance athletes consuming products such as glucose gels (pure sugar) when they compete. The key to good health seems to be balanced sugar consumption and energetic output. It’s always better to not consume sugar.
No Added Preservatives
Artificial preservatives can lead to a number of poor health outcomes. They are found in almost all prepackaged foods and they may be causes of:
- Hormonal imbalance: leading to fertility issues, and early onset or delayed puberty
- Cardiovascular disease and dysfunction: affecting your blood’s capacity to carry vital oxygen to your brain
- Immune and nervous system dysregulation: leading to physical and mental disorders
- Obesity: leading to social stigmatization and poor healthcare outcomes
- Thyroid dysfunction: disrupting early brain development
- Risk of cancer: leading to life threatening illness.
Because of the risks associated with preservatives, many healthy energy drinks try to use as little of them as possible.
Zero To Low Artificial Sweeteners Or Coloring
Not only is sugar a highly distrusted ingredient amongst wellness gurus, artificial sweeteners are regarded with a good deal of suspicion too. Because of this, many healthy…
