Everywhere you look in fitness magazines and write ups, you will find health articles on energy drinks. Are energy drinks good for you? The answer is not always so black and white. Some energy drinks could be good for you, but others could be bad. Similar to the dietary supplements pros and cons, energy drinks have pros and cons too. Understanding what is in your drink and learning what your personal dietary needs are can make all the difference when deciding if energy drinks are good for you.
Some articles on energy drinks suggest that you can boost your nutrition and immune system and lose weight while using these special drinks. When you read the fine print, it will often say when used with a regular fitness regimen and reduced calorie intake. There is no special elixir that will magically make you more fit and leaner. You still have to do the hard work and be disciplined with your diet and fitness workouts. If you are using an energy drink to supplement your already healthy routine, it will not prevent you from reaching your goals. Many will use energy drinks to replace a soft drink habit. Depending on what is in your energy drink, this could be a beneficial swap. Drinking something that you enjoy is another way to stay hydrated when you get bored of drinking water. For some gym goers, their energy drinks are a welcomed change of pace.
Check the label on your energy drinks. Not all drinks are equal. Some contain extreme amounts of caffeine that can harm the natural rhythm of your heart rate. Some use natural green tea extracts that have less caffeine than a cup of coffee. If you have heart problems or high blood pressure, you will want to be aware of these caffeine amounts. You will also want to look at the sugar content. Some drinks have more sugar than a fruit punch which spikes your blood sugar. Spiking your blood sugar is followed by a dip after your body has metabolized it leaving you sluggish and tired. If you have diabetes or are following a low sugar diet, be aware of the sugar content in these drinks. Others have high levels of B vitamins for energy. If you have a deficiency in any of these B vitamins, an energy drink with B vitamins could be used as a healthy supplement to fill those nutritional gaps. If you don’t have a deficiency, you are not doing yourself any favors by consuming high amounts of B vitamins. A doctor can order blood work drawn to test your Vitamin B levels to determine if you have a vitamin deficiency and in which vitamins.
Energy drinks have built a niche for themselves in sport nutrition. Not all energy drinks are bad and some can even be beneficial to your health. Do your research and read your labels. Check with your doctor or dietician before supplementing any energy drinks.
