This article is not meant for diagnosis of any medical condition nor advocate or prescribe any specific medication or treatment. Always seek the advice of a licensed physician for proper diagnosis or treatment of any disease or condition.
The names of Red Bull, Pimp Juice (huh?), Monster, Amp (sounds electrifying) and “5 Hour Energy Drink” well known among those seeking instant energy. Who wouldn’t reach for a sugar-laden soda during that part of the afternoon when the “sleepy feeling” hits? Those who want to avoid a sugar crash often reach for the seemingly next best thing- energy drinks, especially those touted as containing “natural” substances and no sugar.
Are they safe, though? They could come with more than just a hefty price tag at the check out counter.
Ingredients
Most provide the “instant energy” through caffeine- lots of it. Some have as much as five or more times the caffeine as a single cup of coffee.
Others claim to be safer- no caffeine, no sugar- but are loaded with high doses of vitamins, amino acids, protein and more.
Ginkgo Biloba is an herb popularly thought to increase mental awareness and is now loaded into energy drinks with the claim it will give your muscles a boost.
Niacin (Vitamin B3), is loaded in high doses as well with the claim it, too will increase muscle energy levels.
Safety
Those taking statin (cholesterol lowering) drugs, thyroid hormones, diabetes medications, blood thinners, blood pressure medications, herbal supplements such as ginkgo biloba, anti-seizure medications, antibiotics and some antioxidants should speak with their doctor before routinely drinking energy drinks containing large amounts of niacin.
For those who are not taking any medications, large amounts of niacin accumulate in the fatty tissues and can cause liver and muscle (particularly heart) damage as well as other problems such as kidney damage.
Protein is packed into energy drinks with the claim of giving the consumer more energy. Too much protein over a long period can cause damage to the kidneys.
Many energy drinks are loaded with high doses of amino acids, many of which are several times the normal daily intake requirements. As of the date of this article, I have not found studies on the effects of long- term heavy use of the amino acids included in these drinks.
What’s better?
While energy drinks do provide a temporary boost in energy as does coffee and soda, there comes a “crash” when the “energy” runs out. Even the “5 Hour Energy Drink” in its advertising makes it clear there is no sugar crash.
The crash, from sugar, caffeine or amino acids leaves the consumer feeling drained and tired- time for another drink.
A better option would be to eat a piece of fruit- the body gets an energy boost from the natural complex sugars and the fiber fills the stomach. The fiber takes time to digest so the consumer feels fuller longer- and the complex sugar takes time for the body to break down into usable energy. There is no crash, because all the sugar isn’t gone all at once.
Instead of an energy drink that contains protein, have a teaspoon of peanut butter or have a sandwich on whole grain bread. Taking an extra sandwich to work cut in small squares or triangles for break time is a cheaper and healthier alternative.
The medical community is still out on the long-term effects or potential harm of energy drinks and the majority of their ingredients.
It is, therefore, up to the consumer to pay attention to the ingredients and do their own research or speak candidly to their doctor before making these drinks a regular part of their day.
Reference:
- www.webmd.com/vitamins-lifestyle-guide/supplement-guide-niacin?
- www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/guide/energy-drinks
