Energy drinks are mostly carbonated, non-alcoholic beverages that boost your energy, alertness, and concentration.
These drinks have become mainstream and are consumed by people of all ages leading to them becoming increasingly popular.
However, according to multiple health professionals, energy drink consumption may have underlying consequences; this has led to people assuming the worst and questioning the safety of their consumption.
This article thoroughly analyzes the pros and cons of energy drink consumption while providing insight into its effects on your health.
Energy drinks typically contain various stimulating ingredients that boost your energy levels and provide maximum functionality.
Composition
Energy drinks are formulated to increase energy and mental performance. They contain a blend of caffeine, sugar, vitamins, amino acid derivatives, and various herbal extracts.
Some of those are mentioned below:
Sugar: The primary source of calories in energy drinks, but some contain sucralose instead of sugar and are keto-friendly.
B vitamins: They help in the conversion of food into energy, and they are added to increase the nutritional value of energy drinks.
Amino acid derivatives: Taurine and L-carnitine are both naturally produced by the body and play an essential part in many biological processes.
Herbal extracts: Guarana is added to increase caffeine content, while ginseng is added for its nutritional benefits.
Are Energy Drinks Effective?
Energy drinks have become mainstream for various reasons; the most notable is their ability to enhance cognitive function and increase productivity.
But do they work? The answer to this question would be yes because energy drinks are specifically designed to improve brain functions and cognition to maximize productivity and focus.
I have added a video that can explain the real benefits of energy drinks.
Do Energy Drinks Improve Functionality?
Energy drinks are trendy in professions with intense, high-pressure, tiring work routines like sports.
In addition to this, people also consume energy drinks when they are fatigued. This is the case for people working overtime as well as people driving long distances at night, as they need to stay awake and alert.
Energy drinks are elemental in helping relieve fatigue and sleepiness. However, it has also been noted that energy drink consumption may disturb your usual sleep routine, leading to insomnia.
Are Energy Drinks Loaded with Sugar?
Most energy drinks contain copious amounts of sugar to make them more palatable. But consuming too much sugar will cause a spike in your blood sugar levels.
If you have difficulty controlling your sugar intake or have diabetes, you should be particularly cautious with energy drinks that contain sugar and opt for sugar-free ones.
Consuming overly sweetened beverages tends to elevate your chances of getting diabetes which can be a long-term health problem, especially if you are pre-diabetic.
Hence, keep your sugar intake in check. It is something that will benefit you in the longer run.
Is It Dangerous To Combine Alcohol With Energy Drinks?
Yes, mixing energy drinks with alcohol is incredibly dangerous. The stimulating effects of caffeine in energy drinks can override the intoxicating effects of alcohol.
This can leave you feeling less intoxicated while still experiencing alcohol-related symptoms.
Which can lead to a false sense of sobriety and cause harm instead.
Although there are a lot of alcoholic energy drinks available in the market with a regulated amount of alcohol that won’t intoxicate you.
It is essential to be cautious; hence, avoid alcoholic energy drinks if you can since various non-alcoholic options are available in the market.
Moderation Is Key To A Healthy Lifestyle
Most health concerns involving energy drinks revolve around the caffeine content used in their composition.
Since it is a major active ingredient found in the majority of energy drinks, the recommended daily intake permissible for adults is 400 mg of caffeine per day; exceeding this amount may result in severe health concerns.
Although occasionally drinking one or two energy drinks is unlikely to cause any harm, it is probably wise to avoid consuming energy drinks as a regular part of your daily routine.
Essential Tips To Achieve a Healthy Life
Balanced Diet
Keep your diet nutritionally balanced. Keep sugar down by refraining from drinking sugary drinks like soda and juice, as their consumption may put you at risk of heart disease, obesity, and diabetes.
These drinks can be alternated with water, coffee, and green teas. Increase protein intake by including nuts and seeds in your daily diet; they are rich in dietary fiber and vitamins, adding to their nutritional value. On top of this, nuts are known for reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes.
Avoid Fast Foods
Avoid eating processed foods like pizzas and burgers regularly as they contain ingredients high in calories and cholesterol and can cause you to suffer from diabetes or even chronic heart disease.
Include fish in your daily diet as it contains nutrients like omega-3, which is good for your health.
Improve your lifestyle as a whole
Make sure to get a good night’s sleep because sleep deprivation can lead to multiple issues like fatigue, and it can lead to an onslaught of problems like anxiety and insomnia, not to mention it is a known cause of early aging.
Remember always to stay hydrated because dehydration can deplete your energy rapidly and put you at risk for heat stroke.
Exercise daily for increased stamina and healthy muscles and bones to avoid fat accumulation in your body.
It might be unbelievable, but just dedicating 1 hour to working out daily can do wonders for your health.
Regular Health Checkups
Have frequent health checkups to ensure that your health stays stable, and if you have any health issues, they can be resolved on time.
Consult your doctor about nutritional deficiencies (if you have any) and take the supplements prescribed by the doctor regularly.
Instead of turning towards methods like excessive dieting to lose weight, consult a nutritionist to draw a diet plan according to your BMI.
Here is a table stating simple ways to avoid sickness:
| Simple things that cause sickness | How to prevent sickness |
| Sleep Deprivation | Our bodies heal during sleep, so we get at least 8 hours daily. |
| Dehydration | It can cause several health problems to like; as headaches, constipation, weakness, and dizziness, so make sure to drink at least 3-4 liters of water daily. |
| Eating Before Sleeping | Eating a late meal can lead to indigestion and heartburn, so avoid eating right before sleep. |
| Staying Inactive | Lack of exercise or any physical activity can lead to mood swings, lack of spirit, and muscle weakness. Stay active and enjoy yoga, a morning walk, or a night jog to relieve muscle fatigue. |
Conclusion
In my opinion, energy drinks can deliver the benefits they promise very efficiently as long as moderation is maintained in their consumption.
It should also be noted that the health risks linked to energy drinks are not caused by energy drinks but by overconsumption. It is no secret that even the most nutritious foods can cause harm to your body if they are taken in excess.
Moreover, energy drinks may not be the only source of caffeine in a person’s daily life as most people drink coffee daily, but this can lead to a caffeine overdose which is a significant problem in itself.
So opt for the energy drink that suits your specific needs. These day brands have included sugar-free, gluten-free, and even caffeine-free options with different flavors for people with other wants and needs.