Energy drinks are beverages that contain caffeinated ingredients. Energy drinks usually combine caffeine and one or more other ingredients, such as guarana, ginseng, taurine, inositol, l-carnitine, B vitamins, and amino acids. The intended customers for these products are generally young people who tend to be more active than the average person. These beverages are generally marketed as aids in physical performance.
Origin of Energy drinks
Energy drinks seem to have first appeared in Japan in the 1960s when an inventor used Japanese green tea and ginseng as ingredients for a beverage he hoped would enhance mental focus when studying. Energy drinks grew in popularity throughout the 1970s and 1980s. The Japanese invented a name for the new beverage in 1980 when they coined the word Cha-no-wo a combination of the words chai and no-wa, Japanese onomatopoeia, which means energy drink. The name was invented to differentiate this type of energy drink from tea. In 1981, American manufacturers began making energy drinks, and a new form of tea called tea with energy. The drinks were very popular in Japan and soon spread across the globe.
Taste
Energy drinks have a distinctly different taste from the coffee. The taste is sometimes described as bitter, acidic, and metallic. Some people find that the taste of energy drinks is unpleasant. Some have noted that an energy drink’s taste can be pleasant by adding sugar or honey. The artificial sweeteners Sucralose and acesulfame potassium are often added to reduce the bitter or metallic aftertaste. The effectiveness of these artificial sweeteners is debatable, with some reporting they make little or no difference while others report them to be successful.
Ingredient Listing:
The ingredient lists of energy drinks are similar to that of energy shots and often contain a mix of caffeine, taurine, ginseng, B vitamins, Ginkgo Biloba, and guarana. Some energy drinks contain amino acids such as L-carnitine, L-glutamine, and inositol.
Taurine is an amino acid found naturally in the body and many foods, including meat and fish. This amino acid acts as an antioxidant, a building block for other chemicals, and helps cells break down glucose. Taurine is frequently used for muscle contraction and cardiac function, helping to slow down or stop the heart if it becomes irregular. Energy drinks often have taurine added as an energy-boosting ingredient which provides a mixture of stimulants, including taurine and caffeine.
8 Health Benefits of Energy drinks
1. Enhanced Mental Focus
Because the ingredients used in energy drinks vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, it is difficult to determine which of these ingredients is most effective. However, many manufacturers claim their products will enhance mental focus and alertness. Many customers also report an increase in alertness following consuming an energy drink. One study examined the effects of drinking a Red Bull beverage on cognitive function in 36 college-aged participants. It was found that those who drank Red Bull experienced improved reaction times and attention compared with those who had only consumed water.
2. Increased Strength and Endurance
Many manufacturers advertise that energy drinks improve physical strength and endurance by increasing the body’s oxygen. As a result, it is claimed that users experience increased stamina, improved athletic performance, and increased endurance. Although evidence suggests that drinking an energy drink before exercise will increase performance, further research is required to prove this. A study published in 2007 in Applied Physiology, Nutrition and Metabolism examined how caffeine intake affected changes in performance during ten days of intensive training for a half marathon competition using thirteen trained male participants. The results found that caffeine intake did not influence changes in running performance over the ten days.
3. Improved Physical Performance
Energy drinks can also help improve physical performance due to their stimulant properties. While energy drinks are becoming increasingly popular among athletic bodies, there is little evidence of their positive effects. These products are not recommended for people participating in competitive sports. The Australian Institute of Sport and the American College of Sports Medicine both advise against using energy drinks before competition due to the high levels of caffeine in many formulas.
4. Weight Loss
Not all energy drinks contain caffeine, and some do not contain stimulants, but stimulant ingredients are often still present. Many manufacturers of energy drinks claim that their products are helpful for weight loss. Several studies have examined the effects of energy drink intake on weight loss. Some of these studies have reported that intake of energy drinks may be associated with an increased risk for obesity in some people due to their high levels of liquid calories and sugar. Other research has indicated that there is no link between energy drink intake and weight gain and that they are not a suitable part of a healthy weight loss program.
5. Enhanced Performance while Studying or Driving
The high levels of caffeine in energy drinks can lead to enhanced performance during periods of prolonged mental activity. Caffeine is also known to reduce reaction time and improve alertness, giving users a clear mind and a feeling of calm. These qualities are beneficial when studying or driving, making it easier to concentrate at work or on the road. Some customers report that energy drinks have helped them during times of stress, allowing them to consider complex problems more clearly and solve problems they previously could not address successfully.
6. Hydration
Because energy drinks contain large amounts of caffeine, the body loses water due to increased urination induced by the stimulant. To combat dehydration, many energy drinks contain large amounts of sodium. Some manufacturers advertise that the high sodium content of their drinks can help keep the body hydrated. There is very little evidence to support this claim. Some research suggests that consuming large amounts of caffeine can lead to excessive urination due to dehydration.
7. Improved Athletic Performance
Because they offer additional energy, it is claimed that energy drinks can improve athletic performance. Some athletes use these beverages as a substitute for carbohydrates during exercise due to their low sugar and high sugar content found in popular sports drinks such as Gatorade. However, it is essential to note that energy drinks are not suitable for use by athletes.
8. Reduced Muscle Fatigue
Energy drinks containing ingredients such as ginseng have been advertised to reduce muscle fatigue or increase power output, giving the user a more significant jolt of energy and giving them more strength than they would typically have at their disposal. Unfortunately, there is very little evidence to support these claims. One study examining the effects of caffeine and ginseng on muscular fatigue found that neither ingredient was effective in improving endurance performance and neither ingredient altered power output during one-legged cycling exercises. Another study examined the effects of caffeine on a low-intensity cycle ergometer exercise in 16 trained men.
Side Effects of Energy drinks
1. Stimulant Use
Popular energy drinks such as Monster drink and Red Bull contain high amounts of sugar and caffeine, which are known to cause side effects. One of the most common side effects is feelings of anxiety, which can lead to panic attacks. Many users believe that these feelings are an indication that their self-control is failing or their tolerance for the stimulant elements is increasing. These feelings generally subside after a short period – usually only 15 minutes to an hour.
2. Over Consumption
Caffeine and sugar can be addictive ingredients that produce cravings in users. Because of their addictive properties, the potential for overconsumption is high in many people who use energy drinks. Many users regularly drink two or more drinks at a time to boost their levels of alertness, which can cause problems with tolerance and lead to harmful consumption levels.
3. Cardiovascular Problems
The caffeine in energy drinks may contribute to cardiovascular problems such as arrhythmia and irregular heartbeat by reducing blood flow through the heart. This problem is compounded by additional substances such as taurine, which has been shown to cause ventricular fibrillation in rats.
4. Insomnia
Some energy drinks contain high levels of sugar and caffeine, which can contribute to sleeping problems. The stimulant ingredients in many energy drinks lead to increased alertness and arousal, making it more difficult to fall asleep at night. The sugar content also contributes to insomnia because it can elevate insulin levels and provide a quick energy source, which one may use before the body can metabolize the sugar thoroughly.
5. Hormones
Energy drinks also contain phytoestrogens, which are chemicals that mimic the effects of estrogen on the body. These chemicals can decrease testosterone levels, causing men to develop feminine characteristics such as breasts and growing body hair. It can lead to other medical problems, such as cardiovascular disease and decreased bone density.
6. Interactions With Medications
Some energy drinks contain ingredients that can interfere with medication, including caffeine and other stimulants, such as guarana. One should warn consumers that these products can interact with various drugs and should check the labels before ingesting them. Individuals taking any medications for psychiatric disorders or conditions should consult their physicians before consuming an energy drink.
Energy drinks often contain other ingredients, such as taurine and ginseng, which may cause additional side effects. Some energy drinks contain sugar caffeine mixtures used in case reports of seizures induced by caffeine overdose in children.
How to Make Energy Drinks
Energy drinks are brewed from several different ingredients. These ingredients include caffeine, sugars, and taurine. The manufacturer chooses any of these ingredients and combines them in a ratio calculated on the label. The amount of each ingredient varies depending on the intended use of the drink. For example, a high caffeine content drink for jogging will have more caffeine than a low caffeine product designed to increase daytime alertness.
Manufacturers also consider how long their products will be consumed and where they will be used at work or on the road. Some energy drinks have stimulant properties that can improve physical performance, which the manufacturer may incorporate into their ingredient profile to maximize those benefits.
Although energy drinks are gaining popularity in the United States, many consumers may be unaware of the potential risks associated with these drinks. Supplements should always be used for their intended purpose and should not be ingested for recreational or recreational purposes. Consumers should also consider the ingredients in any dietary supplement being consumed and understand that some of those ingredients can cause side effects or interactions with other medications.
