Energy and sports drinks are popular among students, professionals, and athletes today. Although these two drinks quench the thirst of the people, however, they are different.
Sports drinks aim to replenish the lost electrolytes, prevent dehydration, sustain the endurance, and supply carbohydrates during exercise or any physical activities. Whereas energy drinks aim to increase one’s alertness and energy. Oftentimes, energy drinks contain stimulants such as caffeine, which is not found in sports drinks.
According to reports, the worldwide consumption of energy and sports drinks have increased rapidly over the decade. This has been linked to fast-paced world we currently lived plus the demands at home and at work that each citizen needs to address immediately. The community expects much of its citizens thus, they tend to work more than what they can handle and abuse their body.
It seems that 24 hours is not enough and people result in energy and sports drink to boost themselves for the bulk work ahead of them. However, excessive use of energy and sports drink can have potential health risks as well. Let’s find out more in this article.
Defining what are Sports Drinks and Energy Drinks?
Sports Drinks
Sports drinks are flavored beverages with electrolytes such as potassium, sodium, and magnesium, vitamins like Vitamin B and C, and sugar/ carbohydrates like the glucose-fructose, maltodextrin, and sucrose at about 5 grams to 14 grams per 240 mL of serving. Apart from this, sports drinks also include sweeteners, fruit flavors (natural or artificial), and citric acid.
This type of drink is designed to replace the lost electrolytes and fluids when one sweats during exercise or other strenuous activities. It also delivers the carbohydrates to other parts of the body.
Studies show that although sports drinks can have a specific role in supporting hydration of athletes during sustained and vigorous activities, their use is unnecessary in daily physical activities. For average work, it is best to drink water instead to be refueled.
Energy Drinks
Meanwhile, energy drinks aim to boost one’s energy, enhance concentration, and minimize tiredness during work.
It usually contains caffeine, herbal ingredients, and sugar such as sucrose or glucose-fructose. Other ingredients are Ginkgo Biloba, taurine, tyrosine, Vitamin B, alanine, ginseng, and L-carnitine.
Sugar is important in these drinks because it is a source of rapid energy. The quantity of sugar in energy drinks range between 1 gram to 43 grams per 237 mL serving. It contains more sugar compared with a sports drink.
The consumption of energy drinks is common among adolescents such as the students. According to the survey conducted by the Canadian Pediatric Surveillance Program, students buy energy drinks due to the desire to increase alertness, improve performance at school or at sports, and conform to peer pressures.
Highlighted Ingredients of Energy and Sports Drinks
Artificial Sweeteners
The majority of the energy drinks have sugar-free versions which include artificial sweeteners. The artificial sweeteners will help cover the bad taste of the other ingredients in the energy drinks.
There are more studies being conducted on the safety of artificial sweeteners versus sugar-free drinks. However, on average, those people who take energy drinks in excessive amounts have bigger waistlines than those who don’t.
Some of the artificial sweeteners used are Ace-k, Sucralose, Aspartame, and alcohol sugars.
There are debates regarding the adverse effects of artificial sweeteners and some say it can cause cancer. However, studies show that the amount found in energy drinks are safe for consumers. What isn’t clear is the long-term effect of artificial sweeteners since most of the studies conducted are its effects for a short-term period only.
Caffeine
Caffeine is the most popular and widely used drug since the ancient times because of its stimulating effects. It is commonly found in coffee and tea and manufacturers nowadays put it in sodas and energy drinks.
Most of the energy drinks today contain around 70 mg to 200 mg per bottle or can.
Caffeine is known to stimulate the central nervous system. It dilates the blood vessels and makes the body alive and alert, especially during loads of work ahead of you. Caffeine raises the blood pressure and heart rate plus it also hydrates the body.
When people consume more than 400 mg of caffeine in a day, they can experience side effects such as heart palpitations, nausea, headaches, sleeplessness, and jitters.
Creatine
Creatine can be derived from eating meat products and it can be naturally produced by the body. However, energy drinks also contain creatine because it can help supply energy to the muscles.
This type of amino acid can support the bodybuilders and athletes especially during a long period of workouts in the gym. However, it must be noted that too much creatine can cause kidney problems.
Ginkgo Biloba
Another ingredient found in energy drinks is the Gingko Biloba. It is named after a tree which is found in Asia and it has been used since the ancient times.
Ginkgo biloba is known to help in retaining memory, blood circulation, focus, and concentration. It is also popular to be an antidepressant.
The standard supplementation dose of Ginkgo Biloba is 60 mg but people can take up to 240 mg daily. However, it is advised by medical experts to check the ingredients of the energy drinks and see to it that the Gingko Biloba content is in its moderate amount.
Ginseng
Another ingredient in energy drinks is the Ginseng which is used as a medicinal herb since the ancient times. It is known to increase the energy levels, decrease feeling tired, relieve stress, and enhance one’s memory.
Ginseng is also known to stimulate the pituitary and the hypothalamic glands, which can secrete the adrenal corticotropic hormone.
The chemicals in Ginseng can possibly pose harmful effects on the body, thus it is recommended to have it in moderate amount only.
The recommended amount of ginseng in energy drinks is from 200 mg to 2,700 mg per day. Some of the side effects of an overdose of ginseng are an extreme headache plus diarrhea.
Inositol
The Inositol was considered before as a Vitamin B, however, it was removed from the roster since the body can be able to produce its own supply even without supplementation.
Inositol is a type of carbohydrate which is made when the glucose breaks down.
Manufacturers include inositol in their products because it helps the modulation of serotonin and it aids with the nervous system. Doctors also give their patients who suffer from psychiatric problems with Inositol, because it can help the nervous system.
According to studies, there are no known side effects of Inositol and it is considered to be generally safe. It is also found in many foods such as nuts, beans, grains, and fruits.
L-Carnitine
L-carnitine is also incorporated in some of the energy drinks nowadays, also it is naturally produced by the kidney and liver. L-carnitine is an amino acid and it can help speed up one’s metabolism and be able to increase the energy levels. Also, it acts as a thermogenic and helps increase the endurance especially during extreme exercise.
The recommended amount of L-carnitine in the energy drinks is from 2 to 6 grams only.
Sugar
Apart from the artificial sweeteners, energy drinks do contain sugar too. Sugar is the body’s preferred fuel and it is a type of carbohydrate which is made when the glucose breaks down.
It is recommended that one should have a good dose of carbs to sustain exercises. However, too much sugar in the body can be linked to diabetes and obesity. It can also spike the levels of insulin and one may feel a ‘crash’ feeling after one hour or so.
For example, one energy drink can have at least 63 grams of sugar, which is the same amount of eating two regular sizes of candy bars.
Taurine
Another acid that is naturally produced by the body is called as Taurine. However, Taurine that is found in the energy drinks is manufactured by the companies.
Taurine helps the heart have a regular beat. It also helps with muscle contractions and sustained energy levels.
According to some theories, when the body is under stressful conditions like extreme physical activities, injury, or illness; the body will not be able to create Taurine thus supplements such as energy drinks can help.
Consumption of Energy and Sports Drinks
The consumption of energy and sports drinks nowadays have been increasing. For example in America, the average daily consumption of teenagers of caffeine amounts to 60 to 70 mg, but it can be as high as 700 mg each day.
From this data, about 1/3 of the American teenagers and ½ of college students consume energy drinks regularly. Indeed, many caffeinated products are deliberately marketed to teenagers.
According to the US Market Trends and Opportunities, the product sale of energy and sports drinks almost reached to $25 billion in 2016. Surprisingly, millennials especially men use sports and energy drinks more often in comparison with other consumers.
Concerns about Energy and Sports Drinks
There are various concerns why energy and sports drinks are not advised to be taken excessively. Here are some of it:
Additional Sodium Content
Apart from being an ineffective option to hydrate the body, the sodium content in sports drink can cause harmful effects on the drinkers.
The food available nowadays have sodium on it, and adding it more through sports drink can raise the blood pressure and put your body at risk to heart disease and stroke.
Can Cause Hyponatremia
Hyponatremia pertains to a serious condition wherein your blood has a low level of sodium on it. It can be caused both by dehydration or overhydration.
According to the studies done by Harvard University, it has been found out that at least 13% of marathon runners have hyponatremia due to excessive drinking of sports drinks than those runners who only drink water.
Erosion of the Teeth
Sports drinks contain acid that can cause the erosion of the teeth, more than sodas. And if your teeth are affected, the damage is irreversible. According to the studies done and published by General Dentistry, after five days of consuming sports drinks, the acid will start destroying the tooth enamel and people will have problems of getting back the natural beauty of their teeth.
Ingredients with Little Research
Other energy drinks contain unknown ingredients with little research about it. Examples of which are guarana and kola nut. With this, you can’t be sure of its effects on the body.
Limited Regulation
Energy drinks are classified as dietary supplements in the United States and there are no strict regulations on it, unlike foods. For example, the US Food and Drug Administration or FDA can regulate the amount of caffeine in sodas but it cannot do so in energy drinks.
Slows Down Hydration
Big companies claim that sports drinks can help prevent athletes become dehydrated better than water due to vigorous exercise. However, such claim is false and water is still the best liquid to take to be hydrated. Studies prove that sports drinks that have high-sugar content can even slow down hydration.
Sports Drinks do not Contain Protein and Electrolytes
The majority of sports drinks available nowadays have zero grams of protein. Proteins are essential in muscle-building and athletes cannot gain such nutrient even if they drink an excessive amount of sports drinks.
Also, it does not contain enough electrolytes because its sugar content often cancels out their benefits. You can only get the electrolytes lost once you eat healthy foods after exercising.
Sugar
Energy drinks contain massive amounts of sugar which add to the calories. As such, it can lead to weight gain of people when used excessively.
It is also a common knowledge that sugar can pose various health risks which could become fatal if not addressed immediately.
Too Much Caffeine Content
Energy drinks contain caffeine plus other ingredients. Some products do not disclose how much caffeine is included and it is hard to determine what kind of drink you are consuming.
In general, energy drink can have 500 mg of caffeine and more. This is equivalent to 14 cans of soda to have that same amount of caffeine.
Caffeine can cause palpitations to drinkers, cold sweats, and other negative effects. It can also cause difficulty sleeping especially for adults. Caffeine can cause addiction and withdrawal can be problematic especially when your body gets used to a lot of caffeine.
Withdrawing from drinking energy drinks can have adverse effects like feeling grumpy and tiredness plus headaches.
Will not Quench your Thirst
Sports drinks will not actually quench your thirst, unlike what is advertised. The reason why you think that it will keep you more hydrated than water is because it will make you drink more.
According to studies conducted by the Journal of Applied Physiology, the taste of sports drink with salt plus other ingredients will cause people to drink more. As such, you may think you are keeping yourself hydrated but you are actually consuming more calories than what you intend to have.
Conclusion
In sum, energy and sports drinks are not bad totally bad in the body, but if you take it in an excessive amount, then you can possibly experience adverse effects.
It is designed to aid the body recover during stress and other strenuous activities, but it is still best to drink lots of water and eat the right kind of food to replenish the energy lost along the process.
Finally, if you wish to drink energy and sports drinks regularly, it is advisable to seek the help of doctors especially if you are experiencing health problems now.
EcoBlueLife.com is a replacement water and air filter company located in the United States. The views and opinions contained herein are solely those of the original author and do not represent Eco Blue Life or its affiliates. This article was originally published on TheBerkey.com
