Energy Drinks Before a Workout
Content 1. Energy Drinks Before a Workout 2. Healthy Energy Drinks - An Oxymoron? 3. Growth and Popularity of Energy Drinks 4. Are Energy Drinks Healthy 5. How Natural Energy Drinks Support Weight Loss Programs
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1. Energy Drinks Before a Workout So what are energy drinks? Drinks that give you energy right? Sounds easy enough. However, what is in energy drinks that give you the energy? Some, such as a Monster, do not exactly disclose everything that is in it. Some simply say "proprietary blend" or "energy blend complex." These are questions and concerns that many people consider before deciding whether or not they want to start taking an energy drink before exercise. Caffeine Caffeine is typically the main ingredient in most energy drinks, although it may be named something different, such as guaranine or matine, or theine. Caffeine has been around for a very long time. Although all caffeine is the same, it can come from different sources. Caffeine occurs naturally in plants such as tea leaves, cocoa beans, coffee beans, and guarana plant (guaranine), amongst many others. The source that the caffeine comes from really does not change the common benefits of caffeine, which include enhanced alertness, increased concentration and focus, and reduced fatigue. >>>For More Information Please Click Here!<<< Is Caffeine Right for Me Prior to using a caffeinated energy drink you should consult your doctor. People with heart problems and/or high blood pressure are typically advised against it. You should use them at your own discretion. Negative side effects include increased urination, upset stomach (diarrhea), insomnia, dizziness and/or nausea, and increased heart rate. The only side effect that I have ever experienced is diarrhea. Other than that, no problems.
Which is the Best Energy Drink Personally, if I had to choose the best drink for energy it would be an all natural juice that is high in natural sugar, such as apple juice or grape juice. Unfortunately, I have tried those and they simply do not provide that extra "kick" I am looking for to complete my workouts. Thus, I have turned to other sources of energy. My three favorite energy drinks are as follows: V8 V Fusion + Energy. I absolutely LOVE this energy drink. It is only 50 calories and provides a decent dose of caffeine (80 mg) and other vitamins such as vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12. V Fusion + Energy even provide a full serving of fruits and vegetables! >>>For More Information Please Click Here!<<< FRS Healthy Energy (11.5 oz. serving). FRS Healthy Energy is another good energy drink, although I do not like it as much as the V Fusion + Energy one. FRS is only 15 calories and comes in 5 flavors: citrus pomegranate, orange, peach mango, wild berry, and nectarine. The only flavor I have tried is orange and I think it tastes okay. Bearable at the least. FRS contains 48 mg of caffeine and most of the same vitamins as V Fusion + Energy. However, FRS upset my stomach more for some reason. Hydrive Energy. I discovered the Hydrive Energy drink recently and have only used it a few times prior to working out. Regardless, I love the results! Unlike the two energy drinks listed above, Hydrive contains a whopping 160 mg of caffeine and Hydrive Extra Power contains 195 mg per bottle! It tastes okay. You have 8 flavors to choose from: citrus burst, kiwi strawberry, triple berry, lemon lime
rush, grape fusion, blue raspberry (extra power version), black cherry (extra power version), and wild peach (decaf version). Another reason I love these three energy drinks listed above is because each one of them disclose exactly what is in the drink directly on the container. I refuse to consume anything that contains a "proprietary blend complex" because there is no way of knowing how much of each ingredient is in the drink. It simply lists one amount, such as 1110 mg, instead of individually disclosing the amount of each ingredient. Final Note Personally, I love to drink an energy drink before working out. It not only provides me with the extra boost of energy I need to make it through my workout, but also makes it somewhat enjoyable. That is probably due to the B vitamins which are known to enhance moods thus making you feel "happy." As long as you use caffeine in moderation, most experts deem it okay. Most healthy people can consume between 200 and 400 mg of caffeine daily and be okay. In fact, the National Institute of Health conducted and study which concluded that coffee drinkers are less likely to die from heart disease, respiratory disease, stroke, injuries and accidents, diabetes, and infections than non-coffee drinkers. Pretty crazy huh? Regardless, you should always consult your doctor before taking any type of caffeinated drink.
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2. Healthy Energy Drinks - An Oxymoron? What are healthy energy drinks? Do they truly exist -- or is this just more marketing hype? Did someone in the advertising department just slap the word "healthy" on the can and hope no-one inspects the ingredients? In some cases they did, but not always. First, let's examine some science on what is healthy or unhealthy about any beverage. That would be a good starting point, wouldn't it? What is an energy drink, in essence -- and what would qualify one to be called "healthy"? Energy drinks are essentially a blend consisting of one or more stimulants, a flavoring, usually some added sugar for palatability, and herbs/amino acids/vitamins to buffer any nervousness caused by the stimulant and to facilitate the creation of energy naturally. >>>For More Information Please Click Here!<<< (This is the ideal of what energy drinks can be, but in practice some manufacturers cut many corners. It is wise to remember, "Let the buyer beware!") Tea, coffee, and some herbal forms of stimulants like guarana, coca, cacao, yerba mate, khat, ephedra, and kola nut are widely used worldwide. Tea and coffee are the most familiar and have been found to have some beneficial health properties, even though they are to some degree habit-forming. Most parents would not be too alarmed by their children drinking an occasional coffee, cola, or cup of tea -- Agreed?
The unfamiliar ingredients, when scrutinized on a can label, are usually the source of much public mistrust of energy drinks. Sometimes this mistrust is warranted and sometimes it is not -- it depends on what the ingredient is and its purpose. For instance, ephedra, which is rarely used in energy drinks, has caused some problems, such as irregular heartbeat, heart attack, stroke, and even death in a few instances. These are not symptoms that build a happy, growing customer base, as you can imagine! >>>For More Information Please Click Here!<<< Taurine, on the other hand acts as a modulator, that is a "governor" on the energy level. It is also an antioxidant, which helps to neutralize free radicals which are produced by the body in its day-today processes. It has been found safe enough and valuable enough to be used in baby formula, so there is no cause to fear taurine. It has a purpose here. (See Wikipedia for the many benefits of taurine.) Legitimate cause for concern arises around the quantities of sugar and caffeine many of these energy drinks contain. High levels of caffeine and other stimulants are reason for concern among many parents and health professionals, but equal attention should be paid to the huge doses of various types of sugars in energy drinks. The average American consumes about a half-pound of sugar every day! A large portion of this comes from soft drinks, including energy drinks and coffee drinks. At nearly two ounces of sugar in one tall can of the common brands of energy drink, it doesn't take too long to get our half pound of sugar.
High sugar consumption often leads to weight gain, which leads to diabetes, Type 2. Diabetes is on the increase in America and worldwide and it is a serious, eventually fatal medical problem. Dr. Joseph Mercola recently listed 76 different medical problems caused by our infatuation with sugar. The high sugar levels in most energy drinks disqualifies them from being healthy energy drinks.
Ironically, casual surveys I have taken in so-called health food stores reveal energy drinks in their coolers containing 18-29 grams of sugars. Sugar is sugar, whether it is organic cane sugar or not. One exception to this is the use of agave syrup sweeteners, which contain more fructose which poses a special health threat. >>>For More Information Please Click Here!<<< Another cause for concern is the way that most manufacturers choose to sweeten their drinks without using sugar. Artificial sweeteners actually still lead to weight gain, plus some of them have been found to cause structural damage to the brain and nervous system. Aspartame is the worst on this account, causing tumors in research animals and infertility in subsequent generations of offspring when the pregnant mothers were fed aspartame, comparable to what humans might receive.
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3. Growth and Popularity of Energy Drinks Energy drinks reside in the market of soft drinks, whereby their intended purpose is to provide additional benefits to the well-being of an individual, with respect to their energy level. Furthermore, the added benefit of the energy beverage should improve the physical activity of the consumer versus a drink without energizing compounds, flavorings or components. Particularly, many consumers choose an energy drink to increase their mental focus and aptitude or physical awareness. The addition of caffeine and a selection of vitamins and/or herbal ingredients in the drink will provide the stimulant effects desired by the individual versus the effect from caffeine alone. Ingredients in the energy drinks are varying and offering a selection of stimulant effects. In general terms, the drinks include methlyxanthines (such as caffeine) and specific herbs or vitamins (most importantly, the class of vitamins B). There are other herbal remedies offered in the drinks as well, such as guarana, acai and taurine. In addition to this, the drinks could contain ginseng (stimulant often looked at in Asian cultures). More classes include the additions of carnitine, creatine, glucuronolactone and ginkgo biloba. Many drinks have high levels of sugar, with the inclusions of diet versions with artificial sweeteners. The most poignant ingredient in these drinks is caffeine, such as the stimulants in coffee or tea. >>>For More Information Please Click Here!<<< There are many different effects, which are causations of the energy beverages and their related ingredients. These effects are combinations of physical and metal reactions. The overly moderate consumption of energy drinks could lead to feelings of euphoria (extreme happiness and/or alertness), such as the effects from
caffeine. In addition to this, the drinks may cause agitation (reflex normality's or twitching etc.), varying levels of anxiety (fear would be the mental response and sweating would be the physical), irritability (not being able to control anger) and insomnia (body needs to sleep, but not being able to fall asleep). In cycle tests of young adults, the energy beverage was found to increase the endurance of the upper body muscles. In contrast to this, the withdrawal effects remain in these symptoms when the varying levels of stimulants are naturally removed from the system of the individual over time. The combination of the sugars in the energy drink and the caffeine suggested certain restorative and cognition-improving abilities of the drink. Particular ingredients such as (caffeine, taurin and glucuronolactone) showed that individuals had increased mental focus after consuming an energy beverage with similar ingredients. >>>For More Information Please Click Here!<<< One of the first energy drinks on the markets, the drink Irn-Bru (a Scottish drink) is considered a drink, which championed the market onwards. This happened to have a nickname of "Iron Brew" and originally was introduced in 1901. Japan since the 1960s has enjoyed the popularity of the energy beverage market. Particularly, the introduction of the drink Lipovitan. In contrast, these drinks offered in Japan are not that similar to what we see as energy drinks in the United States. They are sold in small brown glass bottles, which resemble medicine bottles. The Japanese call these bottles "genki drinks," which are also available in South Korea. In the United Kingdom during the 1920s, the drink Lucozade Energy was originally introduced. This beverage was introduced in hospitals for aiding and helping patients in the recovery process. Later on, in the 1980s it was marketed as a beverage for revitalizing lost energy.
In addition to this, the first drinks that focused on sports and athletes arrived in the 1960s. This drink was created for the University of Florida and their football team, the Gators. You probably know of this drink, which is called Gatorade. This drink was created to improve the hydration process and allow athletes to perform better under different conditions. It is also known as a sports drink for this reason. As well in 1985, Jolt Cola was put forth in the United States. The strategy behind this drink was the caffeine amounts offered and it was marketed as a way to increase alertness. The marketing slogan was, "All the sugar and twice the caffeine." In addition, in 1995 Pepsi launched Josta, the first drink of its kind marketed by a major US soft drink company. You will probably remember the introduction of Red Bull as a widely known energy beverage and worldwide bestseller. Dietrich Mateschitz (Austrian entrepreneur) created the drink based on the ingredients in a Thai concoction known as Krating Daeng. Red Bull is still a popular brand after its US introduction in 1997, with a market share of over 40%. >>>For More Information Please Click Here!<<< In 2001, the energy beverage market was growing exponentially. During the next 4 years, it had grown 50% per year, with totals of or around $3 billion dollars in 2005. In addition to this, diet offerings are also growing (at rates near 100% each year), with particular attention to the 16-ounce variety. The market itself hit $5.4 billion dollars in 2007 and predictions remain for the market increasing to $10 billion dollars by 2010.
The average consumer of an energy drink is typical a younger person. From the age group of 13 and 35, this represents around 65% of the market. Many younger people use the drinks to stay up longer or to focus on writing papers or studying. In addition to this, many use them to be more attentive at work or on the job. >>>For More Information Please Click Here!<<<
In 2001, Powerade was introduced into the market. The attractive bullet shape and the screw-top aluminum bottle is known as a popular sports drink. Similar companies have introduced attractive bottling procedures and tried out various kinds of recyclable materials. Some companies have changed their packaging, going from a simple bottle to an aluminum bottle for example. In the United Kingdom, there are unique brands to specific grocery chains there. For example, Tesco sells brand 'Kx' and Sainsbury's sells the brand 'Blue Bolt.' Moreover, since 2002, there has been an increase in the trend for offering bigger cans. In many countries, there is a maximum amount of caffeine per serving in the drinks. Since the stipulation is 'per serving', companies can provide larger amounts of caffeine based on the amount of servings they provide. Many companies have increased the amount of ounces (and servings) per cans. In addition to this, popular 'energy shots' are popularizing the concept of offering an energy-based punch in a small package (in this case a shot). Finally, the introductions of powders and tablets have been introduced. These forms allow a consumer to add the energy ingredients to whatever drink they choose. This is for increased portability.
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4. Are Energy Drinks Healthy Energy drinks are typically attractive to young people. They are marketed primarily to people between the ages of 18 and 30 as a stimulant, which is why they have names that convey strength, power, and speed, and sexuality, examples: Red Bull, Monster, Full Throttle, Amp, XS, Redline, Rock Star, and Spark. Energy drinks are soft drinks advertised as providing energy to improve physical activity of the drinker, as compared to a typical drink. These drinks are not necessarily bad for you, but they shouldn't be seen as natural alternatives either. Theyare sold in grocery stores, convenience stores, bars, clubs, and in some areas, even schools. >>>For More Information Please Click Here!<<< Energy Drinks are definitely not healthy for you. They are generally safe, but like most things, you should drink them in moderation. These beverages contain legal stimulants, vitamins, and minerals, including caffeine, guarana, taurine, various forms of ginseng, maltodextrin, carnitine, creatine, and ginkgo biloba. Energy drinks are not the optimal drinks to quench your thirst as a result of dehydration.They are not only popular among athletes, they're also being consumed by young people who want to be more alert. Energy Drinks contain caffeine. Red Bull, one of the most popular of this type of drinks, contains nearly 80 mg of caffeine per can, about the same amount of caffeine as a cup of brewed coffee and twice the caffeine as a cup of tea. These type of drinks should not be consumed during exercise. These drinks should not be confused with sports drinks like Gatorade, which are consumed to help people stay hydrated during exercise. Energy drinks' stimulating properties can boost the heart rate and blood pressure (sometimes to the point of palpitations), dehydrate
the body, and, like other stimulants, prevent sleep.These type of drinks claim to provide people with increased energy levels that will keep them active and alert. They can be effective aids in maintaining energy and alertness. They, however, are loaded with calories from sugar and those that claim they are sugar free have a sugar substitute. Energy drinks should not be used for replenishing fluids at any age. Energy drinks have added caffeine and other ingredients that their manufacturers say increase stamina and boost performance. Energy drinks can have a harmful effect if they're abused. Caffeine in these drinks come in many different forms depending on the brand that you choose. Caffeine, the main ingredient in energy drinks, isn't directly toxic to the heart. Caffeine containing drinks and other such temporary stimulants are not safe. Caffeine can increase your blood pressure, and sometimes impair blood flow to your heart. Caffeine, like alcohol, is a diuretic that promotes fluid loss. Caffeine is a drug that is easily accessed by people of any age, especially teens. Caffeine is a known stimulant that can temporarily alleviate a sense of sluggishness. Caffeine affects the levels of dopamine, a chemical in the brain's pleasure center. >>>For More Information Please Click Here!<<< Caffeine works by blocking the effects of adenosine, a brain chemical involved in sleep. Caffeine is a diuretic that causes more urine output and enhances dehydration. Caffeine is also addictive, therefore the athlete may require higher and higher doses to achieve the same caffeine high. Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant that when consumed, may make the athlete feel more energized. Sports drinks and energy beverages often are regarded as one and the same. Sports drinks, like energy drinks, are high in sugars, but they
do not contain caffeine. Sports drinks are designed to replenish fluids lost during activity. Sports drinks such as Gatorade and Powerade are advertised as fluid replacements for athletes. Sports drinks are intended to replenish electrolytes, sugars, water and other nutrients and are usually isotonic (containing the same proportions as found in the human body). Energy drinks are carbonated beverages that contain large amounts of caffeine and sugar along with other ingredients, such as B vitamins, amino acids such as taurine and herbal stimulants such as guarana and ginseng. Energy drinks are currently enjoying a growth in popularity and marketing presence, and newcomers to the scene seem to be popping up constantly. >>>For More Information Please Click Here!<<< Energy drinks are non-alcoholic, often lightly carbonated beverages that are designed to give the consumer a burst of energy by the addition of a number of energy enhancing ingredients, most notably caffeine. They are everywhere nowadays, tempting us from the refrigerated section with their mega portions of caffeine and natural energy enhancers. They are all the rage because they give a boost of energy on the go. Energy Drinks are a $96 Billion a year industry in the USA. They are not good for you. They make big promises, but once you cut through the hype and look past the flashy packaging, you'll find what you're really getting is a stiff dose of liquid caffeinated candy. Nutritionally speaking, they are comparable to soda.
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5. How Natural Energy Drinks Support Weight Loss Programs There are several key ingredients to success in any weight loss program. For many people the ability to maintain a sense of fullness to prevent snacking, and food or meal replacement choices that taste good will be important. One of the biggest concerns for anyone approaching weight reduction is getting past how they are going to get through each day without cheating, and how less food will provide them enough energy for their day. As the body adjusts to a new eating routine the energy levels can fluctuate due to the changes made in regular eating patterns that were established during the weight gain. A natural energy drink will boost energy levels quickly without added calories, or the side effects of the additives contained in more popular energy drinks. Typically traditional energy drinks with additives produce a dramatic surge in energy, then hours later the crash and burn effect experienced when the effects of the energy drink wear off can leave someone on a weight loss program frustrated. >>>For More Information Please Click Here!<<< Keeping energy levels balanced to prevent snacking is one of many ways to support a successful weight loss program. Energy levels dipping at various times during the day can be frustrating for anyone and especially challenging for someone on a weight loss program. Low energy levels are typically compensated with foods big on taste and void of nutrition, carbonated drinks, coffee, or one of the many popular canned and bottled energy drinks available at convenience and grocery stores in an effort to regain their energy. Once energy levels drop the confidence of maintaining the weight loss program
over longer periods of time can create uncertainty and anxiousness during these times of lower energy. Low energy, for many, is easily resolved by drinking water except the water required to restore energy may not be produced instantly. In today's fast paced world with many working two jobs, and other work and family related responsibilities and obligations low energy levels is the by-product of this sometimes overwhelming and busy lifestyle. Add a weight loss program to this mix and a quick energy fix can become mandatory. >>>For More Information Please Click Here!<<< Natural energy drinks were often overlooked alternatives in the past because many were not widely available and some can be costly. Due to these limitations the more popular products have traditionally been known to be more attractive due to convenience of purchase and lower pricing. Today, the ease of ordering, effective packaging (with some natural energy drinks available in a mini packet powdered mix), great taste, and competitive pricing make natural energy drinks a more desirable solution. The benefits of using a natural energy drink on the body are the proven results to boost energy quickly, as well as providing sustained energy for 4-6 hours without any side effects during the energy lift, or after. Unlike the additives and other ingredients contained in well known energy drinks which produce a wild surge of energy sending a body into overdrive creating jitters, headaches, and nervous energy. Then, to add insult to injury, a crash once the product wears off that typically makes most users burned out returning to low energy often more intense then prior to their energy lift.
Natural energy drinks support weight loss in several ways. The added benefits from a quality low cost natural energy drink will provide key nutrients like Vitamin C, and essential B Vitamins. Other ingredients like fiber to assist in a feeling of fullness will reduce food cravings, and FOS which is short for fruto-oligosachharide, and once taken becomes friendly bacteria for your digestive processes. FOS provides sweetness eliminating the need to add sugar for taste providing a very low-glycemic intake for those who monitor their blood sugar levels. >>>For More Information Please Click Here!<<< Another added benefit is less than 10 calories per serving which support weight loss efforts without added concerns of counting calories and concerns of blood sugar levels being altered with unnatural sugar spikes or empty calories and carbohydrates. Superior natural energy drinks will have no trans fats, no saturated fats, and no cholesterol and these substances are the enemies that can counter attack efforts of reduced calorie eating plan. The beneficial ingredients in some natural energy drinks may provide the body with fat burners too. And finally, natural energy drinks wear off without the crashing effect from a typical energy drink because the body was not sent into intense energy with additives. Once energy levels are controlled reducing the uneasy feeling many people experience while making the transition to a new eating program and alleviate potential stress of cheating with past food habits that created the weight gain. Using a natural energy drink during weight loss is one tool to make the transition to a weight loss program easier while reducing the potential stress of cheating when the body is low on energy reserves.
Keep in mind: The biggest hurdle in weight loss is mindset. Always keep the end results and weight loss goal in mind because loosing weight is a marathon not a sprint. Weight gains do not happen overnight and successful weight loss does not happen overnight. Keep an open mind and be gentle on yourself while making adjustments and finding strategies that work for you and provide results.
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