The Lowdown on Energy Drinks

Energy drinks are every where and everyone is drinking them. In 2008, Americans spent almost $4.5 billion on them. Did you know that the average energy drink contains almost as much sugar as a soda of the same size? It is well publicized knowledge that sugar gives you a flash energy rush. Knowing this, and the amount of sugar the average energy drink contain, doesn't this raise questions in your mind regarding whether they really increase your alertness, help you fight fatigue, and improve your reaction time? Don't you wonder what you are really ingesting when you pop the top and take a swig? Read on to find out.

When reading the ingredient list on an energy drink can, you will generally see; glucose (sugar), B vitamins, guarana, caffeine, taurine, and ginseng. These are the key ingredients found in nearly every energy drink on the market today and the one's most consumers are familiar with. Do any of these energy ingredients really boost your energy? Is there a sufficient quantity of these energy ingredients available in a serving to provide benefits? Are they safe? You decide:

Glucose is sugar, which may also appear listed as sucrose, a combination of fructose and glucose. Sugar provides an instant energy boost to the body. Glucose provides empty calories which is not particularly a healthy or helpful benefit. It also proved ineffective as an energy supplement for sleep deprived individuals. A sudden infusion of glucose generates skyrocketing blood sugar and insulin levels that signal your body to cease burning fat. Most energy drinks contain 50 to 60 grams of glucose per 16 ounce serving.

B Vitamins are water soluble substances that are generally cultivated from bacteria, yeast, fungi, or mold. The B complex vitamins are active in providing the body with energy by converting carbohydrates into glucose, which the body burns to produce energy. B vitamins are essential in the metabolism of fats and proteins and the normal functioning of the nervous system. Sugar consumption destroys B vitamins' effectiveness.

Guarana is a seed grown on a bush in South America. Each seed contains twice the amount of caffeine as does a coffee bean. It does produce a stimulating effect and heighten alertness. Many believe the stimulation is a result of the caffeine it contains, however some studies confirm other stimulant properties exist. No harmful side effects have been reported. The amount of guarana found in energy drinks vary from a low 1.4 milligrams, to a high 300 milligrams.

Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system. It energizes the brain and increases alertness. It also affects other brain neurotransmitters. Over caffeineation can cause blood pressure spikes, jitters, headaches, sleeplessness and nausea. Like guarana, the amount of caffeine found in an energy drinks range from 140 milligrams to 170 milligrams per 16 ounce serving.

Taurine affects remains a mystery to scientist because they are unable to determine how it is capable of passing through the brain membrane to pass on its effects and also because they have been unable to establish its stimulant properties. Current research has its affect to be more like a sedative than a stimulant. Taurine is the one of the most abundant amino acids found in the brain. There it acts as a neurotransmitter, a chemical based brain messenger that assists the brain and body cells to set up and maintain active communication with one another. Like all energy drinks, the amount of taurine contained in each 16 ounce serving varies. With taurine it can be a low 20 milligrams to a high 2,000 milligrams.

Ginseng increases alertness and provides a short term energy boost. Brain activities are also enhanced. Ginseng is believed to generate an infusion of blood glucose cells into the brain and other parts of the body to create its stimulating affect. Panax Ginseng root is the most common variety found in most energy drinks. Its content per 16 ounce serving vary between a low 8 milligrams to a high 400 milligrams.

Most of the ingredients found in energy drinks do provide some enhancing affects. None of the ingredients appear to have any serious debilitating side effects. Because the amount of ingredient included per serving varies to such a large degree the extent of the enhanced effect also vary. The active ingredients can adversely affect certain medical conditions and prescription medications, so it is important to talk to the doctor before consuming. Energy drinks do what the say; improve reaction time, increase alertness, and help fight fatigue. So if you need a quick boost, grab yourself an energy drink.

Resource: Energy or Enemy? - Men's Health - October, 2008