Cramming the night before a big test. After my baby was born, I couldn’t sleep all night to get through the morning meeting. The day you try to update your mileage best time. We all have moments when we want to “boost” even more and reach for an energy drink.
If you’ve ever wondered what’s in these drinks, we’ve got you covered. To find out everything you need to know about energy drinks, Kelly Morrow, R.D.N., R.D.N., of FAND, a clinical affiliate of the University of Washington Osher Center for Integrative Medicine, and Clara Di Vincenzo, R.D.N. I spoke with Mr. LD is a registered dietitian at UT Health and the Digestive Health Institute in Austin.
What are the common ingredients found in energy drinks and what do they do?
The main sources of that energy boost are sugar and caffeine. They can boost energy, but it comes at a price. “Both can give you energy in the short term, but they can make you feel more fatigued in the long term,” Moreau says.
for some, caffeine Increased energy and better concentration. But for others, it can cause harmful side effects, especially at the high doses often found in energy drinks.
“Caffeine acts like adrenaline in the body, and when the caffeine wears off, it can make you feel more fatigued, especially if you consume it without food,” Moreau explains.
How Harmful Are Energy Drinks?
“Everyone’s body breaks down caffeine at different rates. People who drink a lot, or those who break down alcohol slowly, may find it difficult to sleep and feel anxious. How much caffeine in energy drinks?” Some people have had dangerous irregular heart rhythms after drinking energy drinks.For people with heart disease, high blood pressure, insomnia, anxiety, depression and other mental health problems. I don’t recommend caffeinated energy drinks,” Morrow added.
So is sugar. Sugar, or carbohydrates, are essential for our cells to function. However, excessive amounts can be harmful. “Energy drinks contain large amounts of sugar and caffeine, which causes blood sugar spikes. This temporarily increases energy levels, but after a few hours, blood sugar levels plummet. says Di Vincenzo. “Not to mention the long-term effects of excess sugar, such as insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes,” she added.
Another major player in energy drinks are artificial sweeteners. “They (energy drinks) may also contain excessive amounts of artificial sweeteners,” says Di Vincenzo. “When we talk about excess artificial sweeteners, we mean sorbitol, xylitol and sucralose, which are the most common ones,” explains Vincenzo. “These artificial sweeteners are known to exacerbate symptoms of IBS (irritable bowel disease) such as bloating, gas and diarrhea.”
What are other ways to increase energy?
Morrow and Di Vincenzo agreed that there might be a better way to get more energy. They suggest:
- stay hydrated
- have a good night sleep
- Eat well-balanced meals (do not skip meals)
- exercise regularly
- Practice stress reduction techniques such as meditation
- Try more “natural” caffeinated beverages such as coffee and tea
Are moderate amounts of energy drinks okay?
Experts agree that, like anything else, moderation is key with energy drinks. But while it may be fine in moderation and in some cases, there are alternatives that are more beneficial and less harmful than energy drinks.
Learn more about diet and supplements here.
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How Much Caffeine Is Dangerous?Here’s what you need to know before you sip your next cup.
Are Sugar Substitutes Healthy?Research has not yet provided a reassuring answer.
