Remember
- Energy drinks are not recommended for teens.
- Drink water rather than energy drinks before, during, or after exercise.
- Combining energy drinks with alcohol can be dangerous.
Do energy drinks actually give you energy?
The amount of caffeine in an 8–ounce can of an energy drink is about
the same as that is in 5 ounces of coffee – about half of a small
coffee. Caffeine is a stimulant which works by exciting your nervous
system. Energy drinks often contain caffeine, added amino acids, herbs,
vitamins, and plenty of sugar, which can make you feel more awake and
“energized”.Regular energy drinks contain a lot of sugar – about the same amount that’s in soda. This sugar might give you a burst of energy (on top of the caffeine), but when it wears off, you may have a sugar “crash” and become tired all over again. While it’s ok to have sugar–containing foods and drinks once in a while, eating or drinking too much sugar can cause cavities and weight gain.
Are energy drinks recommended for teens?
No, energy drinks contain caffeine, added substances that act like
stimulants, and excess sugar. Energy drinks are marketed to teens to
boost energy, decrease fatigue, and increase concentration. These claims
mislead many teens and adults into thinking energy drinks are
beneficial for attention and sports performance. Don’t be fooled by the
marketing claims! These drinks are unhealthy for teens. In fact, the
American Pediatric Association recommends that children and teens avoid
them.
What can happen if I have too much caffeine?
Caffeine may be the most commonly consumed stimulant, but excess
consumption has been associated with harmful effects in teens. If you
have too much caffeine, you may experience side effects such as
jitteriness, dizziness, nervousness, insomnia (trouble sleeping),
vomiting, and upset stomach. When you have caffeine regularly, your body
can build up a tolerance to (get used to) caffeine. This means you’ll
need more caffeine to have the same stimulant effect. Also, when you
stop drinking caffeine you may get headaches and become cranky or tired
for a few days.
Why are herbs added to energy drinks?
The manufacturers of energy drinks claim that added herbs such as
ginseng, guarana (gwahr–uh–nah), yerba mate (yer–bah mah–te), cocoa,
kola nut, or yohimbine help to boost the energy content of their
beverages. The problem with taking herbs or other supplements either in
pills or in energy drinks is that they’re not regulated by the US Food
and Drug Administration (FDA). As a result, there’s no guarantee that
the herbs are actually what they say they are, or they do what they
claim. Herbs such as ginseng, guarana, or yohimbine can even have
harmful side effects such as elevated (fast) heart rate, headache, or
insomnia. They can also cause an allergic reaction, or may interact with
prescription medications.
Are the vitamins and amino acids in energy drinks good for me?
Many vitamins and minerals are added to energy drinks. If you’re
eating a well–balanced diet, you’re probably already getting plenty of
vitamins and minerals for your body. However, if your diet is not quite
“balanced”, a multivitamin supplement is a much cheaper way to get in
your extra vitamins, without the extra calories and sugar!Energy drinks are also known for their additional ingredients such as added amino acids or other substances. You might see them listed on a label as taurine (tawr–in), glutamine (gloo–tuh–meen), arginine (ahr–juh–neen), and L–carnitine. Amino acids are needed by the body to serve as the building blocks of protein. If you're eating a well–balanced diet, you don’t need these additional amino acids.
Should I use energy drinks while I’m exercising?
No. Energy drinks should be avoided before, during, and after exercise. They’re not the same as sports drinks (such as Gatorade®),
and won’t replace water and minerals that you lose when you sweat. The
caffeine and sugar in energy drinks actually can make you more
dehydrated.
What’s the difference between sports drinks and energy drinks?
Sports drinks are different from energy drinks. Sports drinks include
carbohydrates, electrolytes, and often vitamins and minerals. They’re
made for rehydration after intensity physical activity.
Is it safe to combine energy drinks with alcohol?
No. Combining energy drinks with alcohol can be dangerous. Alcohol is
a depressant, while the energy drink is a stimulant. When you have the
two together, you may not realize how much alcohol you drank and how
impaired you really are. Dehydration may be worse because you’ll have to
urinate more often because of the combined effect of the alcohol and
caffeine in the energy drink.
So what’s the bottom line with energy drinks?
Skip them. While energy drinks may give you a rush of energy when you
first drink them, in the long run, they usually end up making you more
tired and may result in harmful effects. There are plenty of other
beverages to enjoy.
You can increase your energy without expensive energy
drinks. All you need to do is eat well–balanced meals, drink plenty of
fluids, and exercise regularly.
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