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The Buzz on Energy Drinks
It was only a matter of time. In the past week I've read two different articles about "energy drinks." One was posted online at WebMD.com and the other was published in the Wall Street Journal on August 22nd, titled "Energy Drinks Under Fire."
I remember when "energy drinks" were all about sugar. But now they are more about sugar, caffeine, and sometimes alcohol (I still don't get how they can market the word "energy" with "alcohol", but your guess is as good as mine). Now there's a call to action from attorneys general who want federal regulators to crack down on the how these drinks are marketed - pointing to misleading advertising on a product that can pose serious health and safety risks.
I'd rather sip a cup of strong Joe to get my buzz (sans the alcohol, thanks), but according to a new review in Consumer Reports, the caffeine and calorie content in many of these drinks are off the charts - especially when you consider that people easily guzzle an entire can or bottle meant for two or three people. One serving can get you 200 mg of caffeine (almost twice the amount found in a regular cup of coffee and nearly 7 times the amount found in a can of Coke). A serving can pack up to 260 calories, much of that in the form of unhealthy sugars that won't satisfy hunger. Which is why we call those kinds of calories "empty." (Low-cal and sugar-free versions are available, but you'll have to endure the artificial-sweetener flavor, and who really knows what those will do to you over time?)
According to Information Resources, a market-research firm, as consumers we spent $744 million on those caffeinated beverages in the past year, a 34 percent increase over the previous year. With names like Rockstar, Full Throttle, Red Bull, Cocaine, and No Fear, it's no wonder they appeal especially to young adults and those who may want to feel like a younger, more "energetic" person.
But how much is too much? On the one hand, drinks with caffeine can offer some benefits. Among them:
(For an array of more facts on caffeine, I invite you to go here.)
But with every virtue there is a vice. And with caffeine, the one that sits atop my personal list is its impact on achieving quality sleep. It can take up to two days for the body to get rid of all traces of caffeine, and if you're sensitive to caffeine you may not realize that your poor sleep can be blamed on all the sources of caffeine you encounter during the day - from energy drinks to medication and even chocolate.
Sleep, after all, factors into these same benefits, helping us look and feel younger, organize our memories, and prepare us for problem-solving quickly during the day. Let's not forget that sleep has no calories and rejuvenates our bodies on a cellular level, which can't be said for the energy drink (even though it may come brilliantly packaged to look like a battery).
In fact, sleep burns calories whereas the drink adds calories. So I think the benefits of high-quality sleep outweigh the benefits of caffeine, don't you? Especially when taken in large doses.
Don't get me wrong. I love my coffee but I take caffeine in moderation. I bet that pretty soon those attorneys general will get what they want and we'll be seeing "Warning" signs on some of these concoctions. I wonder what they will say: "May cause dizziness, weight gain, and the jitters?"
Bottom line: an occasional energy drink is fine for most people, but do the math and avoid overindulging. If you want a great alternative to these over-the-top sugary beverages, try a cup of hot or iced tea. The health secrets of tea have long been reported. Cheers.
Related Topics: Technorati Tags: energy drinks, caffeine, sleep, coffee, tea, health and wellness
I remember when "energy drinks" were all about sugar. But now they are more about sugar, caffeine, and sometimes alcohol (I still don't get how they can market the word "energy" with "alcohol", but your guess is as good as mine). Now there's a call to action from attorneys general who want federal regulators to crack down on the how these drinks are marketed - pointing to misleading advertising on a product that can pose serious health and safety risks.
I'd rather sip a cup of strong Joe to get my buzz (sans the alcohol, thanks), but according to a new review in Consumer Reports, the caffeine and calorie content in many of these drinks are off the charts - especially when you consider that people easily guzzle an entire can or bottle meant for two or three people. One serving can get you 200 mg of caffeine (almost twice the amount found in a regular cup of coffee and nearly 7 times the amount found in a can of Coke). A serving can pack up to 260 calories, much of that in the form of unhealthy sugars that won't satisfy hunger. Which is why we call those kinds of calories "empty." (Low-cal and sugar-free versions are available, but you'll have to endure the artificial-sweetener flavor, and who really knows what those will do to you over time?)
According to Information Resources, a market-research firm, as consumers we spent $744 million on those caffeinated beverages in the past year, a 34 percent increase over the previous year. With names like Rockstar, Full Throttle, Red Bull, Cocaine, and No Fear, it's no wonder they appeal especially to young adults and those who may want to feel like a younger, more "energetic" person.
But how much is too much? On the one hand, drinks with caffeine can offer some benefits. Among them:
- Test subjects dosed with the amount found in a cup of coffee come out ahead on problem-solving tasks.
- By triggering the release of adrenaline to help muscles work harder and longer, caffeine so clearly enhances athletic performance that until 2004 it was considered a controlled substance by the International Olympic Committee.
- Caffeine may reduce the risk of Parkinson's disease by blocking receptors for adenosine, a neurotransmitter that plays a role in motor function. Caffeine also heads off migraines by contracting blood vessels in the brain.
- Coffee, like blueberries and broccoli, contains potent antioxidants. It appears to reduce the risk of colon cancer, gallstones, and liver cancer, among other illnesses.
(For an array of more facts on caffeine, I invite you to go here.)
But with every virtue there is a vice. And with caffeine, the one that sits atop my personal list is its impact on achieving quality sleep. It can take up to two days for the body to get rid of all traces of caffeine, and if you're sensitive to caffeine you may not realize that your poor sleep can be blamed on all the sources of caffeine you encounter during the day - from energy drinks to medication and even chocolate.
Sleep, after all, factors into these same benefits, helping us look and feel younger, organize our memories, and prepare us for problem-solving quickly during the day. Let's not forget that sleep has no calories and rejuvenates our bodies on a cellular level, which can't be said for the energy drink (even though it may come brilliantly packaged to look like a battery).
In fact, sleep burns calories whereas the drink adds calories. So I think the benefits of high-quality sleep outweigh the benefits of caffeine, don't you? Especially when taken in large doses.
Don't get me wrong. I love my coffee but I take caffeine in moderation. I bet that pretty soon those attorneys general will get what they want and we'll be seeing "Warning" signs on some of these concoctions. I wonder what they will say: "May cause dizziness, weight gain, and the jitters?"
Bottom line: an occasional energy drink is fine for most people, but do the math and avoid overindulging. If you want a great alternative to these over-the-top sugary beverages, try a cup of hot or iced tea. The health secrets of tea have long been reported. Cheers.
Related Topics: Technorati Tags: energy drinks, caffeine, sleep, coffee, tea, health and wellness
19 Comments:
Alot of the drinks have terrible nutritional value - the same amount of sugar as a soda, but loaded with caffeine, tuarine and other additives. My biggest problem is when I have caffeine in the afternoon, I am up all night.
-Ryan
BroadcastHealth - The Best Source for Health News
Very soon, people will realize that it is better to replace the so called energy drinks/sodas with fresh fruit/vegetable juice, tea, coffee, chocolate-milk etc. Dr. R.C.YashRoy
May I suggest that if your looking for a pick me up so to speak...then why not buy and try a 5 hour energy drink? All they are is a vitamin drink.
If you're planning on burning off an extra few thousand calories today, then they have their place.
Marketing them along with soda is a different thing.
Has anyone looked into what these drinks do to our teeth?!
I've been drinnking diet fruit drinks for years,not knowing about the caffeine. The AMOUNT of caffeine should by law be listed on the container. Don
A banana is the best energy 'pick-me-up.
I would like to comment on the article about "energy drinks" except that it appears as black ink on a dark green background. I can't see it well enough to read it. Please be carefull how articles are presented.
Can't see it to Read it!!!
To Anonymous above:
Try reloading the page in your browser. It sounds like the page hadn't finished loading -- the background when the page is fully loaded is white with dark-grey text.
If you still have problems viewing it, you can send an email to this address and let us know what browser you are using when you encounter this problem.
Thank you!
My husband and I are basically addicted to the sugar/caffeine in Pepsi & Mountain Dew & tend to drink quite a few in a day (6+). Now that we are older, the weight gain (and the "non" ability to lose it)is an issue. My nephew introduced me to Monster Lo-Carb Energy. The calories & sugar content alone was enough to make me try drinking one Monster in place of 2-4 Mtn.Dews a day. I knew about the caffeine (I drink Mtn. Dew??!!). I thought the Monster would be better for me because not only are the calories & sugars a lot lower, at least it has vitamins, etc. Well, after a few days of both of us doing this, cutting down on our soda intake & drinking just 1 Monster Lo-Carb, we both developed another problem. His was burning while urinating, which stopped after he went a day without a Monster drink. Mine seems to be a bit more severe...diarrhea & stomach cramps...all day. I decided to stop drinking a Monster to see if it would help, like my husband did. It has calmed down after 2 days withou the drink, but it still isn't gone. I am happy it isn't like it was while I was drinking the energy drink & I am hoping it will be "fixed" in the next day or two. I don't know if it was because our bodies were rebelling or if the medication we take was an issue either, but I thought I would try to find out if this has happened to others?
- Becky
To Anonymous above,
I just recently bought a bulk pack of Monster energy drinks from Sams, and have been experiencing diarrhea for 2 days and that energy drink is the only thing I have added to my diet. I am 25, a soldier in good health, and drink a variety energy drinks often. I need to know if this could be from a "bad" batch of Monster being distributed.
im actually the owner of an energy drink company, Huracan Energy drink, in New york. Our company, Iron Horse Beverage Company, states everything in our drink, IE, caffiene, sugar, sodium (or in our case, lack thereof), etc. Energy drinks, like ours, are best in moderation, and we are very quick to tell our consumers and retailers this.
I'm pumped! I've been drinking green tea all day long!
I have had plenty of Monsters before(including the BFC), but never exceeded the limit of how many should be consumed in a day, and they have never given me a problem. This past Sunday night I drank the new Monster BFC, and didn't sleep at all. It's Thursday night now, and I have gotten some sleep, but not much, and I have had trouble sleeping all week now.
The energy drink cocaine is a so called liquid death. If you ever find your self with one the best thing to do is to get rid of it asap. It will raise your blood pressure to a stroke level and your heart rate so that it will make your heart skip beats.
this comment has 2 parts.
1) i am an avid... no... extreme "energy drinker": ive drank on average 2-5 a day for the past year and a half. (btw, i really dont reccommend anyone else try that) im 17 and have a turbo charged metabolism, and apparently have developed an immunity to caffeine, as i never have trouble after consuming (except some trouble sleeping/diarrhea in the very beginning) i drink a wide variety of drinks (collect the cans, i have over 60 different ones). and as i said before, i never have had any problems. until recently. this past week i have consumed several monster energy drinks (the java variety) (i normally avoid monster due to lack of decent taste, but they seem to have changed the taste recently) and ive had discolored diarrhea for days, trouble sleeping, stomache making more noise than the home heating system.
im definitely suspecting a bad batch of monster... lawsuit anyone?
2) it does say on the can on nearly EVERY (if not every) energy drink "not recommended for children, pregnant women, or people sensitive to caffeine" along with a recommended daily consumption limit. obviously, i disregard that (stated in beginning of comment) but i recommend most ppl adhere to that. that said, not all energy drinks are based on caffeine, some are "metabolic" energy drinks (wired xburner for example), many have essential vitamins/minerals in large enough quantities (i.e. more than you would normally get in a day from eating) as to provide several health benefits you prolly dont know about (for example, vitamin b12 kills cancer cells, supposedly, not sure about how true that is)
also, for people who prefer fruitiness, rockstar makes several energy drink varieties that are 50% fruit juice (the drink is essentially fruit juice + the rockstar energy blend).
i definitely support drinking energy drinks, but not becoming dependant, and not being stupid (i.e. overdosing, and winding up in the hospital, although i have to have a triple acute overdose (acute overdose is.... 400mg?) for anything exciting to happen))
one final note, if trying to find an energy drink with a blend to meet your desires (assuming you know a bit about herbs/minerals/vitamins involved)
check out sugarfree/locarb energy drinks (sugarfree amp = tasty)
guarana = caffeine
most caffeine is taken from coffee, but the guarana plant (a vine that grows in tropical rainforests) is also a source of caffeine (it is also sometimes labeled as "guaranine"
taurine = dehydration
yes, its good for your body, but drink some juice or water or something, not just energy drinks all day.
and
i reccommend avoiding drinking all of the "monster" energy drink varieties, along with all of the "lost" energy drink varieties, as lost is manufactured under the authority of monster, in the same town, (corona california) and most likely in the same facilities.
The only energy drink I drink is the Rockstar energy drinks and after a couple days of having just ONE a day, I develop nasty diarrhea that last a couple days so I doubt it's just the Monster energy drinks. Some days I'll have a cup or two of coffee in the morning and an energy drink in the afternoon so I really think it's more related to the caffeine intake than anything.
Also, most of these energy drinks contain B3 vitamins. While all B vitamins, including B3, are good for the body you can actually get B3 toxicity and one of the symptoms of this toxicity is abdominal cramps and diarrhea.
Okay people - How did NO ONE to this point raise a hand and say "Caffeine is a DIURETIC"
Blaming one brand over another does not address the simple fact of the caffeine causing too much stimulation and too much of a diuretic effect!
Has anyone analyzed the XS line of energy drinks from Amway? They contain L-Taurine and come with and without caffeine, have zero sugars and 0 carbohydrates and are sweetened with Sucralose.
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