Running is a valuable cardio exercise that is easy and very effective as it helps you stay fit. Furthermore, it does not require any equipment as it is a human skill-based task.
Whether you are taking part in a marathon or trying to stay in shape by running, you require a lot of energy to run for a longer period. And that’s where energy drinks come in. They contain caffeine, which boosts your energy levels and improves your concentration to ace every task easily.
But, you would already know this, because the main reason you are here reading this article is that you want to know which energy drink is probably better to take before running. Well, you are in the right place; as in this article, the top three energy drinks will be reviewed that will provide you with energy before your run.
So, let’s check those incredible energy drinks without any further delay. But, before that, let’s review some of the awesome tips and tricks that will be helpful for you in selecting energy drinks.
In my opinion, the top three energy drinks that are good to consume before running are Reign, Monster, and Xyience.
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What To Look For In An Energy Drink?
When purchasing an energy drink before your run, it is very important to review the major ingredients present in those energy drinks. These ingredients help you determine whether they are good for you or not.
Let’s see the ingredients you should always look out for in an energy drink.
Caffeine Content
Caffeine is a crucial ingredient that every energy drink contains, as, without this, you won’t have the proper boost you require.
Caffeine is a brain-boosting stimulant obtained from natural plants like cacao powder, tea leaves, and coffee beans. This works by stimulating your nervous system and ultimately enhancing your mental and physical performance.
Besides this, caffeine also enhances your alertness and endurance to carry out tough tasks like running easily. But, remember how caffeine affects you varies from person to person as everyone has a different metabolism. So, before buying an energy drink, always check whether you have high or low caffeine tolerance.
Moreover, regardless of the benefits caffeine provides, you should not overdo it as it can lead to some adverse side effects like:
- Headache
- Overdose
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Digestive problems
- Insomnia
- High blood pressure
The FDA suggests that a healthy adult consumes no more than 400mg of caffeine. Plus, the more often you consume caffeine, the more it will build high caffeine tolerance in your body, leading to increased caffeine consumption and producing the desired result you want.
Sugar Content
Sugar is the second most important ingredient you should look out for when purchasing an energy drink.
Sugar is present in almost every energy drink as it adds sweetness to drinks and acts as a temporary energy booster. There is nothing wrong with indulging in a little sugar once in a while, but eating too much can lead to long-term health problems.
Sugar does not necessarily cause harm on its own. Some cuisines and baked goods use it to add flavor, and it may even help lift your mood when you need it. Yet, the real problem lies in the overuse of sugar in several food products and daily diets, resulting in health problems like inflammation and fatty liver disease.
Therefore, your daily sugar intake should not exceed 25g for women and 36g for men. Excessive amounts of sugar in the diet can lead to negative effects such as:
- High blood pressure
- Cardiovascular disease
- Weight gain
- Diabetes
- Acne
Sugar overload can also lead to a sugar crash due to the rapid spikes and drops in your blood sugar levels. Sugar crashes are not something you want to experience before you begin your run, as they make you tired and sluggish.
Therefore, keeping the sugar content of your energy drink low is the best way to maintain your stamina and performance. Less sugar in your diet will also benefit you.
Artificial Sweeteners
Artificial sweeteners are another common ingredient in many zero-calorie or sugar-free energy drinks.
Artificial sweeteners are sugar substitutes that add flavor to foods and beverages without adding calories and carbs. Therefore, these sweeteners do not alter your caloric intake and are generally healthier than conventional table sugar.
Sucralose and acesulfame potassium are the most popular sweeteners. The FDA has also approved sweeteners and many others found in many products.
Although artificial sweeteners are generally considered safe for consumption, still they pose some health concerns, especially long-term effects. Therefore, try to consume these artificial sweeteners in moderate amounts.
Want to know more about whether these artificial sweeteners are safe to consume or not? Then, check this video out.
Are Energy Drinks Good Before A Run?
Yes, energy drinks are good before a run as they uplifts your performance and endurance, which helps you with running.
The caffeine content makes energy drinks a better choice to have before running. Caffeine contains essential boosting properties that positively affect physical performance that ultimately helps you with running.
Plus, caffeine also enhances your mental and cognitive performance, boosting your mood and enhancing your mental focus. You can easily participate in marathon races or have your daily evening run without feeling exhausted.
Energy drinks also contain numerous amino acids, vitamins, and natural ingredients such as guarana, which could enhance your energy levels.
According to one study in 2016, 18 recreational endurance runners reported improved 5-kilometer performance after ingesting a Red Bull before exercising. So, overall, energy drinks can help you with your daily run.
If you want the best results from your run, I suggest drinking an energy drink between 30 and 45 minutes beforehand. To avoid exceeding your daily limit, be sure to moderate the consumption of energy drinks before your run, just as you would with any caffeinated beverage. Furthermore, always drink water before, during, and after your run to keep yourself hydrated.
Read out my other article on whether energy drinks are good for your health or not.
Does Sugar Present in Energy Drinks Affect Endurance?
Yes, sugar can affect your endurance levels and cause fatigue very easily.
Naturally, if you happen to be a runner, you would know that it is very important to have loads of energy to maintain your endurance levels. And, what better and faster way to fill yourself up with energy than sugar, as it is present in almost all foods. However, don’t take it as a free pass to have as much sugar as possible.
Eating or drinking sugar-filled foods can lead to sugar crashes and make you fatigue easily. But, of course, cutting off sugar is also bad as it can harm your performance.
So, how can you eat sugar without it affecting your endurance level? Well, try eating simple sugar to avoid any negative impact.
Simple sugar is found in many healthy foods, vegetables, and fruits. And, plus they contain vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to provide you nutritional benefits.
So, overall, sugar can sometimes affect your endurance levels; therefore, try to opt for energy drinks that are sugar-free or have low sugar in them.
Is Red Bull Good For Running?
Red Bull can be good or bad for running depending on consuming this energy drink.
A Red Bull contains 110 calories, 80 mg of caffeine, and 27g of sugar in its formula. In my opinion, the caffeine present in this energy drink is moderate and more than enough to give you a good boost.
However, the problem lies in its calorie and sugar content. Both are high in range, and even though they are advantageous for your running, they can still cause crashes during your run.
I prefer drinking half a can of Red Bull before the run and switching to other energy drinks or electrolyte-filled beverages to keep myself hydrated. This will not only boost my energy but is also a lot safer.
However, whether or not to have red bull is your decision. So, choose wisely and always opt for whatever is good for your health.
How To Get Energy Before A Run?
Apart from energy drinks, there are various methods to get energy before the run.
If you are not a regular consumer of energy drinks and are looking for some healthier ways to get energy, here are some things you can do to energize yourself.
- Drink more water
- Stay active
- Minimize alcohol intake
- Sleep more
- Mix up your routines
- Reduce your stress levels
- Warm-up properly
- Eat consistently
Best Energy Drinks to Have Before Running
Now that you are probably aware of how energy drinks can help you let’s look at some of the best energy drinks before running. I have added a table below to show the best energy drinks to have before running.
| Energy Drinks | Caffeine Content | Sugar Content | Calories | Price |
| Xyience | 176mg | 0g | 0 calories | $32.00 |
| Monster | 160mg | 54g | 190 calories | $34.88 (A pack of 24 cans) |
| Reign | 300mg | 0g | 0 calories | $1.60 (per can) |
Xyience Energy Drink
- Caffeine Content: 176 mg
- Calorie Content: 0
- Sugar Content: 0 g
Xyience energy drink is a pre-workout energy drink specially made for gamers and gym-goers to give them a boost of energy. Furthermore, this energy drink contains 176 mg of caffeine, which is moderate and will give you the correct boost before running.
Moreover, this energy drink has zero sugar and calories, so you won’t have to worry about feeling fatigued during the run. Also, this energy drink has a variety of flavors and is completely vegan and keto-friendly.
So, if you need a good boost before going on a run, then this energy drink is a perfect choice for you.
Monster Energy Drink
- Caffeine Content: 160 mg
- Calorie Content: 190
- Sugar Content: 54 g
Another one of the great energy drinks you can have before your run is Monster energy drink. This energy beverage contains 160mg of caffeine and has 54g of sugar in its formula, which is a good amount and will help you with running.
Moreover, this energy drink contains essential vitamins and minerals in its formula, which will provide you with hydration and also improve your endurance level. But remember, Monster still has high sugar content, which exceeds the daily recommended intake. Therefore, to avoid feeling fatigued during your run, try to have this energy drink in moderate amounts.
Furthermore, you can also opt for a zero ultra version of this energy drink since this one has low-calorie content.
If you want to read more about monster energy drinks, you can check out my other article on Monster energy.
Reign Energy Drink
- Caffeine Content: 300 mg
- Calorie Content: 0
- Sugar Content: 0 g
Reign is an energy drink advertised as a pre-workout energy drink that promises to deliver a good boost and enhance your mental and physical performance.
Furthermore, this energy drink is completely sugar-free, which means it won’t have you feel sluggish. Moreover, Reign has 300 mg of caffeine which is a moderate amount and is good for consuming before going on a run. Also, this energy drink is filled with essential vitamins and other crucial ingredients like Coenzyme 10 and BCAAs.
Besides these benefits, Reign also comes in different mouth-watering flavors, so if you are a big fan of various flavors, this is a perfect choice of energy drink.
Conclusion
So, to conclude, Reign, Monster, and Xyience are the top three energy drinks you can have before going on a run.
An amazing energy drink is that not only gives you a good boost but will also improve your endurance, mental performance, alertness, providing you with loads of other benefits.
Running is good for our health as it keeps us in shape and fit. So, if you are looking for something that will keep you energized and active throughout your run, then the energy, as mentioned earlier, drinks are perfect for you. And, you can easily consume them before your run.
But remember not to depend fully on energy drinks and try to stay hydrated by drinking lots of water and eating food filled with nutrition.