Let’s Debunk Energy Drinks

Kathryn Adel January 9, 2018 Drinks/Beverages, Health, sports

Energy drinks are made up mostly of caffeine and sugar. They also contain other ingredients such as vitamins, minerals, guarana, taurine, ginseng and ginkgo biloba. They’re supposed to improve your alertness, concentration, memory, energy and sports performance, as well as combat fatigue, but these effects are not backed up by scientific evidence. Since their ingredients come from plant extracts, these drinks are presented as natural and healthy. But the truth is they can have undesirable effects on your health.

Energy Drink Ingredients and How They Really Affect Your Health

Caffeine and Guarana

Caffeine is a stimulant that speeds up the functioning of your central nervous system. You’ll find it in energy drinks, chocolate, coffee, tea, some fizzy drinks, and guarana, a grain containing 2 to 3 times more caffeine than coffee. So, even if the amount of caffeine in an energy drink seems reasonable, you need to add the quantity of caffeine coming from guarana. Too much caffeine can increase blood pressure and cause palpitations, trembling, irritability and trouble sleeping. Some deaths have been linked to energy drink consumption. Children, pregnant women and people at risk of cardiovascular disease are advised to stay away from energy drinks. In general, the recommendation is no more than 400mg caffeine a day for adults (4 cups of coffee per day).

Sugar

Most energy drinks contain an excessive amount of carbohydrates, which can cause weight gain. For example, a 500ml can of Monster contains the equivalent of 14 teaspoons of sugar and 280 calories. The carbohydrates in energy drinks come mostly from simple sugars which, when mixed with caffeine, can cause a rapid drop in blood sugar and energy. These drinks are therefore not recommended for diabetics. Having a coffee with low GI (Glycemic Index) foods (nut bar, yogurt, whole fruit, etc.) is a wiser choice which will help you obtain the desired results without the energy drop.

Taurine

Taurine is an amino acid (one of the building blocks of protein) found in several foods, but in lower quantity than in energy drinks. Taurine could possibly increase your alertness, reduce fatigue and prevent inflammation, but further studies are necessary to confirm that. In high doses, taurine can cause hyperactivity and behavioral anomalies like psychotic episodes, and disrupt thyroid function.

Ginseng

Some studies suggest that ginseng could strengthen the immune system, improve concentration and reduce fatigue. However, current scientific studies are not sufficient to confirm these effects. What’s more, most of these drinks don’t specify how much ginseng they contain, which means that we don’t know if the content is enough to provide an effect on the body.

Ginkgo Biloba

Ginkgo Biloba could have a beneficial effect on memory and concentration, but studies remain controversial. What’s more, you need to be careful because this supplement can interfere with anticoagulant medication like Coumadin, and anti-inflammatory medications like aspirin.

Effects of Energy Drinks on Sports Performance

Some studies suggest that consuming energy drinks before or during exercise could have beneficial effects on endurance and strength, as well as on reaction time and alertness. However, these effects are mostly due to their caffeine and carbohydrate content. The real effects of the other substances found in these drinks remain unclear. Also, people respond differently to caffeine. There is a genetic predisposition to caffeine which means that some people feel very stimulated whilst others hardly feel any of the effects.

Instead of reaching for an energy drink, here are 5 tips to beat fatigue during the day:

• Sleep between 7 and 9 hours per night
• Don’t skip meals
• Eat balanced low-fat meals
• Exercise regularly
• Stay well hydrated

Author

Kathryn Adel

Kathryn holds a Bachelor Degree in Nutrition as well as a Bachelor and a Master Degree in Kinesiology, all from Laval University. She is a Registered Dietitian and active member of the Ordre professionnel des Diététistes Nutritionnistes du Québec (ODNQ) and of the American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. She holds the Monash University's certification for the FODMAP diet and IBS, and has considerable clinical experience in that area. She is also an accomplished athlete, having ran track and cross-country at a national level. Kathryn specializes in sports nutrition, weight loss, diabetes, as well as heart and gastrointestinal health.