Energy drinks are readily available soft drinks that have been promoted as products that can reduce or prevent fatigue, improve one’s mood, enhance physical performance, and aid in enhancing cognitive performance.
Other than maltodextrin, carbonated water, and sugar, energy drinks also contain caffeine which forms a major ingredient in most energy drink formulas. This is due to the fact that a 24 oz energy drink may contain as much as 500mg of caffeine, which correlates to about four to five cups of coffee.
Some of the common non-caffeine stimulant ingredients used in energy drinks include guarana, yerba mate, ginseng, inositol, carnitine, creatine, taurine, and B complex vitamins. These drinks are widely available and popular among athletes as well as teens, and for this reason it is important to look at them in detail.
This article will look at the benefits attributed to these metabolism boosting energy drinks, any possible side effects, and some of the most popular or top products that fall into this category.
Benefits of Metabolism Boosting Energy Drinks
Taurine, an amino acid that is found in energy drinks, has been shown to enhance neurological function. Other than energy drinks, it is also found as a dietary supplement and in fish, meat, and even breast milk. It helps the body to regulate blood, water, and mineral salts as well as aid in neurological development.
A recent study published in the Journal of Cardiology established that participants who supplemented with 500mg of taurine three times on a daily basis for about a fortnight were able to significantly increase exercise distance.
It is, however, necessary that further research is put towards the determination of the long term effects of taurine on the human body.
Energy drinks usually contain various vitamin B groups which are essential to the body’s normal functioning. Vitamin B is responsible for improving mood, as well as enhancing muscular, metabolic, nervous system, and other body functions.
B12 keeps the red blood cells and nerves in good shape as well as aids in regulating the nervous system and maintaining normal functioning and healthy digestive system. In addition, Vitamin B6 helps with immune, cardiovascular, and nervous system functions. Vitamin B is water soluble and can be released in the body very fast.
As already mentioned above, caffeine is one of the major ingredients of most energy drinks. Caffeine is a powerful ergogenic acid and keeps you alert and awake for longer periods. A typical energy drink contains about 80 mg of caffeine per 250 ml. The recommended daily intake of caffeine is about 300 to 400 mg per day, which is easily achieved when consuming energy drinks.
As noted by Jennifer McDaniel, a specialist in sports dietetics and the spokeswoman for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, endurance athletes are best placed to benefit from caffeine when consuming it around exercise time.
Some have suggested that a combination of caffeine and taurine provide both a mental and physical boost that is hoped for when consuming energy drinks. However, further studies need to be done to determine the safety of such a combination.
The energy boost we get from energy drinks predominantly comes from simple sugars. While sugar has been associated with a lot of negativity as far as nutrition is concerned, it can be beneficial in the right circumstances. During carb-loading periods before athletic competitions, one needs a high intake of carbohydrates to provide the required energy.
The Australian Institute of Sports recommended consuming simple sugars, potentially in liquid form, in order to get around this situation. Such a scenario makes the use of energy drinks appropriate as they contain the simple sugars in abundance.
Simple sugars give a burst of energy due to the fact that they are easily digestible and absorbed much quicker than other forms of sugars to be metabolized and provide the energy required.
Sambazon’s drink line caffeine (a line of energy drinks) comes from green tea and guarana, a native plant from Brazil that has roughly half the caffeine content of coffee beans and with a bonus since it has the ability to fight fat and lower blood cholesterol levels.
A recent study that was conducted established that daily supplementation with guarana can actually reduce low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in healthy individuals by as much as 27%. This was further supported by another study which found that guarana extract supplementation could increase fat metabolism.
Side Effects
Metabolism Boosting Energy Drinks contain a lot of caffeine and sugars. The combination of the sugar and caffeine will initially give an individual a burst of energy, which is most often followed by a fall in the blood glucose level causing a “crash” and a feeling of tiredness and lethargy. In addition, the high sugar content can lead to weight gain and eventually obesity if left unchecked. Obesity opens the gateway to other chronic illnesses.
Energy drinks have been reported to cause insomnia. This is owing to the fact that most of the energy drinks contain a lot of caffeine which keeps you alert and awake for longer periods.
Niacin is an ingredient in energy drinks. Though beneficial, it can also cause dizziness and rapid heart rate.
High blood pressure is a side effect of consuming energy drinks since they contain caffeine, which is responsible for raising the blood pressure. Individuals suffering from hypertension should therefore stay away from their consumption.
While it is true that Metabolism Boosting Energy Drinks can aid in alertness, too much of it can actually decrease one’s ability to function or precipitate psychological hindrances such as irritability and anxiety, as well as jitters.
Dependence or addiction occurs as a result of excessive daily use. Withdrawal symptoms may include headaches and mood swings.
Top Metabolism Boosting Energy Drink Products
- Red Bull Energy Drink, 8.4 Fl Oz Cans (6 Packs of 4, Total 24 Cans) @ $32.99
- Monster Energy, Original, 16 Ounce (Pack of 24) @ $ 31.59
- Zipfizz Healthy Energy Drink Mix, Variety Pack, 30 Count @ $ 27.99
- V8 +Energy, Orange Pineapple, 8 Ounce (Pack of 24) @ $15.52
Metabolism Boosting Energy Drinks Review Summary
Energy drinks are very common in our times with their popularity among teens and athletes. They are usually marketed as supplements and provide the required energy outburst and alertness required under different circumstances.
Despite their advantages, it is important to note that their overconsumption can lead to addiction and a number of health concerns when used irresponsibly.
