Energy Drink Alternatives

It’s easy to find energy drinks, alongside water and juices, in any grocery store or food mart. The drinks, such as Red Bull, are touted as a quick fix to provide energy in the form of mental and physical stimulation. But recent studies have found that they may be doing more harm than good.

Most energy drinks contain caffeine, a carbohydrate called glucuronolactone, and taurine - an amino acid that helps build protein. They also contain sugar, which aids in the creation of short-term energy boosts. Despite the energy, however, these drinks often cause dehydration as well as an increased risk of high blood pressure and heart disease.

A recent 2007 study conducted by the American Heart Association revealed that patients with heart disease or blood pressure problems should avoid energy drinks as they are dangerous. Even in healthy volunteers involved in the study, more than two cans of energy drinks per day can increase the risk of incurring such health problems. And combining energy drinks with alcohol, as with the popular Red Bull and vodka requested in bars, can increase the risk of elevated heart rate and blood pressure exponentially.

There are numerous alternatives to energy drinks that are nutritionally safe, not to mention cheaper than the expensive canned energy. Many of them can also be found in the drink aisles of your nearest stores. Green or white tea are rich in antioxidants with a modest amount of caffeine, but provide energy without the high amounts of sugar, and artificial flavors and sweeteners so often contained in energy drinks. In addition, there are numerous 100 percent fruit drinks, like the very popular Naked Juice, that provide energy through caffeine-bearing fruits like mangos and berries.

Some vitamins and natural herbs can also provide energy boosts, though most, when taken on a regular basis and incorporated into a daily regimen, keep the body’s energy level in a healthy range throughout most of the day.

In the vitamin category, the most commonly used is Vitamin B. The B-complex includes B12, biotin, and folic acid, all of which help the body fight fatigue by using its own glucose for fuel and aiding in the formation of blood cells that transport energy. The aforementioned supplements can also be taken separately instead of in the complex vitamin form in order to concentrate purely on the energy influences.

Certain minerals can help increase energy production in the body’s cells, like magnesium, NADH, and co-enzyme Q-10. And there are a number of herbal extracts that can also help boost energy, such as Siberian ginseng, gotu kola, and maitake. For daily recommended dosages of minerals and herbs, it is best to consult with a dietician or nutritionist to find the right mix.

The most consistent energy booster is regular exercise, proper sleep, a healthy diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables, and the consumption of a minimum of eight glasses of water per day. This type of regimen will allow for sufficient energy to face each day, and when that extra burst of energy is required, an all-natural fruit drink or glass of tea might be enough to do the job.