We’ve all seen those energy drink commercials, wondering if we consumed them, we’d feel like we could fly, too. But as with flying, you still need to come down at some point. And ideally, avoid crashing. So the question arises – are they healthy? And should we be drinking them?
Energy drinks are very enticing! They come in attractive packaging and tasty flavors. As tempting as they are, recent research has shown they can have negative effects. What are they, and do they outweigh the benefits? Can they still play a part in your wellness journey? Stay tuned to find out!
Alright, what is all the buzz about?
To dive into the potential side effects of energy drinks, it might be helpful to understand them. Let’s first look at what they contain and how they work in the body.
There are a few ingredients that cause the stimulating effects of energy drinks. The primary active ingredient in most is caffeine. As we discussed in a previous blog post, caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant. It can help increase alertness, focus, and reduce tiredness. Besides caffeine, they also contain stimulants such as taurine, guarana, and yerba mate. Taurine is like a building block for our bodies, and it can help us perform better when we exercise. It can also help us feel less tired. Guarana is a plant that naturally contains caffeine. It also has other nutrients that can also give us energy and help us think more clearly. Yerba mate is a plant from South America that also contains caffeine. It has other nutrients too, which can help us do better in both physical and mental activities.1,2
Now, let’s talk about the not so fun part of energy drinks – the potential side effects. One of the biggest concerns is that energy drinks can increase blood pressure. This can lead to a higher risk of heart attack and stroke. This is particularly important for children. They are more susceptible to heart issues and addiction from the stimulant effects. The ingredients in energy drinks can have harmful effects even if they contain the same amount of caffeine as coffee. Because of the caffeine content, anxiety is a common side effect. Energy drinks’ effects come from not only their ingredients, but also their composition. The high acidity of energy drinks may make these negative side effects worse. The extreme acidity of energy drinks can also cause other issues. Drinking them can bother your stomach and cause damage to your teeth.1-5
On a brighter note, the potential benefits
That may sound like a lot of bad stuff, but after rain, there’s sunshine! There isn’t much scientific proof that energy drinks are good for us. But, some studies show that they can help us focus and think more clearly in the short term. This much-needed energy boost can help people who need to focus on a task or study for an exam. Also, some energy drinks may contain vitamins, minerals, and nutrients we need. Still, it’s important to keep in mind that drinking too many energy drinks can hurt our health. As with most things, it’s best to focus on moderation. Energy drinks could be part of a balanced diet for your general wellbeing.6,7
Sugar-sweetened vs. artificially sweetened energy drinks
There is an important difference in how energy drinks are made sweet. Sugar-sweetened drinks may taste better because they are using real sugar. But, this liquid sugar can also have negative effects on our health. Too much can lead to faster weight gain, an increased risk of diabetes, and dental health issues. Surprisingly, artificially sweetened drinks may help you keep a healthy weight. Sugar-free could be a better option for those who want to drink energy drinks without all the extra sugar. There is some concern among researchers about the safety of artificial sweeteners. But, they are generally considered safe in moderation. To sum up, too much of either kind can have negative effects on our wellbeing. So, let’s enjoy our favorite energy drinks as a treat. Try and practice moderation and choose sugar-free versions whenever possible.8
Other options to try
Caffeine is what we owe most of the effects of energy drinks to. Next time you need a little pick me up, try a nice cup of coffee or tea. They can both provide extra energy without all the extra ingredients and sugar. And there’s more! Did you know that eating more vegetables can help you perform better in the gym? Studies have shown that beets and greens have amazing benefits for your body. They can also keep your blood pressure in check. If you want to give it a try, add a handful of spinach to your next smoothie! Or look for beet hummus the next time you go grocery shopping. Eating healthy and adding veggies to your meals is a great way to take care of our wellbeing!9,10
Take-home message
Remember, the most important thing is to focus on your well-being. It’s okay to indulge in your favorite energy drink every once in a while, but it’s important to do so in moderation and with mindfulness. If you find yourself reaching for an energy drink often, consider switching to a cup of coffee, tea, or a sugar-free alternative. By making small, mindful choices about what you put into your body, you can improve your overall health as well as your wellbeing. Enjoy your energy drinks in moderation, but always keep your health and wellness at the forefront of your choices.
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Energy drinks – the good, the bad, and the ugly
Energy drinks are all the buzz these days… But is the buzz they’re giving you worth it? Keep on reading to find out!
September 25th, 2023
We’ve all seen those energy drink commercials, wondering if we consumed them, we’d feel like we could fly, too. But as with flying, you still need to come down at some point. And ideally, avoid crashing. So the question arises – are they healthy? And should we be drinking them?
Energy drinks are very enticing! They come in attractive packaging and tasty flavors. As tempting as they are, recent research has shown they can have negative effects. What are they, and do they outweigh the benefits? Can they still play a part in your wellness journey? Stay tuned to find out!
Alright, what is all the buzz about?
To dive into the potential side effects of energy drinks, it might be helpful to understand them. Let’s first look at what they contain and how they work in the body.
There are a few ingredients that cause the stimulating effects of energy drinks. The primary active ingredient in most is caffeine. As we discussed in a previous blog post, caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant. It can help increase alertness, focus, and reduce tiredness. Besides caffeine, they also contain stimulants such as taurine, guarana, and yerba mate. Taurine is like a building block for our bodies, and it can help us perform better when we exercise. It can also help us feel less tired. Guarana is a plant that naturally contains caffeine. It also has other nutrients that can also give us energy and help us think more clearly. Yerba mate is a plant from South America that also contains caffeine. It has other nutrients too, which can help us do better in both physical and mental activities.1,2
Now, let’s talk about the not so fun part of energy drinks – the potential side effects. One of the biggest concerns is that energy drinks can increase blood pressure. This can lead to a higher risk of heart attack and stroke. This is particularly important for children. They are more susceptible to heart issues and addiction from the stimulant effects. The ingredients in energy drinks can have harmful effects even if they contain the same amount of caffeine as coffee. Because of the caffeine content, anxiety is a common side effect. Energy drinks’ effects come from not only their ingredients, but also their composition. The high acidity of energy drinks may make these negative side effects worse. The extreme acidity of energy drinks can also cause other issues. Drinking them can bother your stomach and cause damage to your teeth.1-5
On a brighter note, the potential benefits
That may sound like a lot of bad stuff, but after rain, there’s sunshine! There isn’t much scientific proof that energy drinks are good for us. But, some studies show that they can help us focus and think more clearly in the short term. This much-needed energy boost can help people who need to focus on a task or study for an exam. Also, some energy drinks may contain vitamins, minerals, and nutrients we need. Still, it’s important to keep in mind that drinking too many energy drinks can hurt our health. As with most things, it’s best to focus on moderation. Energy drinks could be part of a balanced diet for your general wellbeing.6,7
Sugar-sweetened vs. artificially sweetened energy drinks
There is an important difference in how energy drinks are made sweet. Sugar-sweetened drinks may taste better because they are using real sugar. But, this liquid sugar can also have negative effects on our health. Too much can lead to faster weight gain, an increased risk of diabetes, and dental health issues. Surprisingly, artificially sweetened drinks may help you keep a healthy weight. Sugar-free could be a better option for those who want to drink energy drinks without all the extra sugar. There is some concern among researchers about the safety of artificial sweeteners. But, they are generally considered safe in moderation. To sum up, too much of either kind can have negative effects on our wellbeing. So, let’s enjoy our favorite energy drinks as a treat. Try and practice moderation and choose sugar-free versions whenever possible.8
Other options to try
Caffeine is what we owe most of the effects of energy drinks to. Next time you need a little pick me up, try a nice cup of coffee or tea. They can both provide extra energy without all the extra ingredients and sugar. And there’s more! Did you know that eating more vegetables can help you perform better in the gym? Studies have shown that beets and greens have amazing benefits for your body. They can also keep your blood pressure in check. If you want to give it a try, add a handful of spinach to your next smoothie! Or look for beet hummus the next time you go grocery shopping. Eating healthy and adding veggies to your meals is a great way to take care of our wellbeing!9,10
Take-home message
Remember, the most important thing is to focus on your well-being. It’s okay to indulge in your favorite energy drink every once in a while, but it’s important to do so in moderation and with mindfulness. If you find yourself reaching for an energy drink often, consider switching to a cup of coffee, tea, or a sugar-free alternative. By making small, mindful choices about what you put into your body, you can improve your overall health as well as your wellbeing. Enjoy your energy drinks in moderation, but always keep your health and wellness at the forefront of your choices.
We’ve all seen those energy drink commercials, wondering if we consumed them, we’d feel like we could fly, too. But as with flying, you still need to come down at some point. And ideally, avoid crashing. So the question arises – are they healthy? And should we be drinking them?
Energy drinks are very enticing! They come in attractive packaging and tasty flavors. As tempting as they are, recent research has shown they can have negative effects. What are they, and do they outweigh the benefits? Can they still play a part in your wellness journey? Stay tuned to find out!
Alright, what is all the buzz about?
To dive into the potential side effects of energy drinks, it might be helpful to understand them. Let’s first look at what they contain and how they work in the body.
There are a few ingredients that cause the stimulating effects of energy drinks. The primary active ingredient in most is caffeine. As we discussed in a previous blog post, caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant. It can help increase alertness, focus, and reduce tiredness. Besides caffeine, they also contain stimulants such as taurine, guarana, and yerba mate. Taurine is like a building block for our bodies, and it can help us perform better when we exercise. It can also help us feel less tired. Guarana is a plant that naturally contains caffeine. It also has other nutrients that can also give us energy and help us think more clearly. Yerba mate is a plant from South America that also contains caffeine. It has other nutrients too, which can help us do better in both physical and mental activities.1,2
Now, let’s talk about the not so fun part of energy drinks – the potential side effects. One of the biggest concerns is that energy drinks can increase blood pressure. This can lead to a higher risk of heart attack and stroke. This is particularly important for children. They are more susceptible to heart issues and addiction from the stimulant effects. The ingredients in energy drinks can have harmful effects even if they contain the same amount of caffeine as coffee. Because of the caffeine content, anxiety is a common side effect. Energy drinks’ effects come from not only their ingredients, but also their composition. The high acidity of energy drinks may make these negative side effects worse. The extreme acidity of energy drinks can also cause other issues. Drinking them can bother your stomach and cause damage to your teeth.1-5
On a brighter note, the potential benefits
That may sound like a lot of bad stuff, but after rain, there’s sunshine! There isn’t much scientific proof that energy drinks are good for us. But, some studies show that they can help us focus and think more clearly in the short term. This much-needed energy boost can help people who need to focus on a task or study for an exam. Also, some energy drinks may contain vitamins, minerals, and nutrients we need. Still, it’s important to keep in mind that drinking too many energy drinks can hurt our health. As with most things, it’s best to focus on moderation. Energy drinks could be part of a balanced diet for your general wellbeing.6,7
Sugar-sweetened vs. artificially sweetened energy drinks
There is an important difference in how energy drinks are made sweet. Sugar-sweetened drinks may taste better because they are using real sugar. But, this liquid sugar can also have negative effects on our health. Too much can lead to faster weight gain, an increased risk of diabetes, and dental health issues. Surprisingly, artificially sweetened drinks may help you keep a healthy weight. Sugar-free could be a better option for those who want to drink energy drinks without all the extra sugar. There is some concern among researchers about the safety of artificial sweeteners. But, they are generally considered safe in moderation. To sum up, too much of either kind can have negative effects on our wellbeing. So, let’s enjoy our favorite energy drinks as a treat. Try and practice moderation and choose sugar-free versions whenever possible.8
Other options to try
Caffeine is what we owe most of the effects of energy drinks to. Next time you need a little pick me up, try a nice cup of coffee or tea. They can both provide extra energy without all the extra ingredients and sugar. And there’s more! Did you know that eating more vegetables can help you perform better in the gym? Studies have shown that beets and greens have amazing benefits for your body. They can also keep your blood pressure in check. If you want to give it a try, add a handful of spinach to your next smoothie! Or look for beet hummus the next time you go grocery shopping. Eating healthy and adding veggies to your meals is a great way to take care of our wellbeing!9,10
Take-home message
Remember, the most important thing is to focus on your well-being. It’s okay to indulge in your favorite energy drink every once in a while, but it’s important to do so in moderation and with mindfulness. If you find yourself reaching for an energy drink often, consider switching to a cup of coffee, tea, or a sugar-free alternative. By making small, mindful choices about what you put into your body, you can improve your overall health as well as your wellbeing. Enjoy your energy drinks in moderation, but always keep your health and wellness at the forefront of your choices.
Sign up for our newsletter
Follow our story