The Real Buzz on Energy Drinks

By: Sara Clancy
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In the fast paced world we live in, who doesn't feel like they need a little pick me up at some point during the day? A party isn't a party without people bouncing off the walls, right? Energy drinks are becoming one of the hottest trends today. With all the advertising, cool names, and promises in a bottle supplied by energy drink manufactures, it is hard not to be tempted to grab a drink. It is hard to sift through the media buzz and get a hold of the real facts about energy drinks so that you can make an informed decision about what you chose to put in your body. Here is some important information that you may want to know before you decide to go "Full Throttle" in the energy drink aisle:
1. Energy drinks contain many different kinds of stimulants and ingredients such as caffeine, sugar, Taurine, B vitamins, Guarana, and Ginko. Some of the ingredients may be natural, but this does not necessarily mean they are safe in an uncontrolled environment.
2. The amount of each ingredient is not always apparent from the label. Even when an accurate ingredient list is available, we do not always know how to interpret the types and amounts of ingredients in the label since we are not familiar with what many of these ingredients really mean, and the impact that they can have on the body in various doses, alone or combined with other ingredients.
3. When combined, the various stimulants in energy drinks can have a dramatic and potentially dangerous impact on the body. Possible effects can include nausea, hyperactivity, agitation, heart palpitations, leg weakness, nervousness, affects of blood pressure, and an upset stomach.
4. Much of the energy in energy drinks comes from the combined effects of sugar and caffeine. The excessive amounts of caffeine in these drinks can be very dehydrating.
5. Mixing energy drinks with alcohol is a BAD idea. Alcohol is a depressant, caffeine is a stimulant. Both lead to dehydration and create a burst of energy that can lead us to misinterpret our level of inebriation. These effects may cause us to drink even more alcohol than we might normally drink, placing us in an extremely dangerous and potentially life threatening position.
6. Taking an energy drink before exercise is very risky. It could increase our blood pressure and over-stimulate the heart or nervous system creating a path to some very dangerous side effects.

So, what can we do instead ?

1. You have probably heard this a billion times, but a healthy diet, physical activity, and a good amount of sleep really will do wonders when it comes to boosting energy level during the day.
2. It's generally a good idea to limit caffeine intake, but for those times when you really crave that quick fix, go for something like a latte made with skim or soy milk, along with a healthy snack (we know more about the effects of caffeine than we do about energy drinks, thus our reaction to the drink may be more predictable).
3. Club soda, water, and fruit juices are safer to combine with alcohol than energy drinks; make sure you only use mixers you are familiar with.
4. Fruit juices, water, low-fat milk, and water can all help you fight fatigue in a healthy way. If used correctly, sports drinks are probably a safer option than energy drinks.
5. Fresh and dried fruits, cereal, whole grains, vegetables, and yogurt are great energy boosters; nourishing too!
6. Try not to skip meals and make sure you are getting enough sleep at night!

This information in this article was adapted from a WebMD article entitled "There are healthier ways to get an energy boost, experts say" written by Kathleen M. Zelman, MPH, RD, LD, and was reviewed by Louise Chang, MD. You can find a copy of this article by visiting http://www.webmd.com/diet/guide/whats-the-buzz-about-energy-drinks.