On days when hitting the gym seems impossible, an energy drink is your only savior.
Being consistent with your workouts while balancing your life and work can be quite a task. Sometimes your body runs out of fuel to hustle any further that’s where an energy drink comes in.
Energy drinks are a quick source of energy boost that helps your body work overtime. But with all the different options available, choosing the right drink for yourself can be difficult.
In this article, I have covered all the aspects that make an energy drink suitable for workouts. So let’s dive right in!
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How Do Energy Drinks Work?
Energy drinks comprise ingredients that alter your brain and body functions. This results in better focus, more stamina, and elevated energy levels.
The energy formula of each brand is unique, but some ingredients are common to all. These ingredients form the basis of an energy drink.
These ingredients include caffeine, sugar, essential vitamins, and amino acids. How effective an energy drink is, depends on the ratio of these ingredients present in it.
To know more about these ingredients, keep reading ahead.
What Makes A Good Workout Energy Drink?
A good workout energy drink enhances energy levels and improves endurance. But each ingredient in an energy drink must be present in a balanced amount otherwise, the drink might not be as impactful.
While buying an energy drink, look out for these ingredients:
Caffeine
Caffeine tops the list as the most commonly used ingredient in energy drinks. The impact of caffeine on the brain results in a better mood, enhanced focus, and increased attention span.
When combined with the right blend of ingredients, caffeine can result in better physical strength and stamina.
The effectiveness of an energy drink is usually depicted by the amount of caffeine it contains. Energy drinks with more than 150mg of caffeine are considered relatively strong.
But what matters more is the other active ingredients present in its energy formula. High amounts of caffeine might give you a strong energy boost, but it can also result in various health issues or a crash.
For an energy drink to provide an effective and long-lasting energy boost, it doesn’t necessarily have to contain high caffeine content. What matters more is the right blend of active ingredients that enhance the effects of caffeine.
Sugar
Sugar is another common ingredient in energy drinks. They usually contain high amounts of sugar, as it provides a quick burst of energy. But if your goal is to maintain a healthy body then consuming sugar through energy drinks is not a good idea.
Sugar consumption causes various health issues, including obesity, high blood pressure, and the risk of heart and liver diseases. Cutting or minimizing sugar intake in your diet is the first step to achieving your fitness goal.
The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends a daily sugar intake of 24 for women and 36g for men.
Go for energy drinks that contain sugar below this limit. You can even switch to sugar-free options. This will help eliminate the health risks related to sugar intake while providing an effective energy boost.
Taurine
Taurine is an essential ingredient in energy drinks that can improve the productivity of your workout sessions.
Taurine is an amino acid found naturally in the body. It can be consumed through various food items, such as meat and seafood.
Energy drinks contain taurine, as it provides various benefits in terms of physical strength and energy.
Taurine helps improve exercise performance and delays exhaustion. Studies have shown that it reduces muscle recovery time. Thus, enabling you to get back at it the next day with ease.
Guarana and Ginseng Extract
Guarana Extract is a natural source of strength and stamina. It’s commonly found in energy drinks due to its antioxidant properties that help fight against oxidative stress.
Ginseng, like guarana, is a rich source of antioxidants. It enhances brain function and clears the mental fog.
Most energy drinks contain natural energy boosters, like ginseng and guarana, as they don’t cause any negative impact on the body in the long run.
Should You Consume Energy Drink Before or After a Workout?
Energy drinks usually kick in about 10 to 15 minutes after consumption. The effects of the energy boost peak in about 30-45 minutes, after which the energy levels eventually drop back to normal.
Consuming energy drinks 15-20 minutes before a workout will give you the required energy boost.
The energy boosts last for about an hour, but it can take up to 10 hours for the caffeine to clear out from your system. Avoid drinking other caffeinated products while consuming an energy drink.
How Many Cans of Energy Drinks Can You Drink in a Day?
This depends on the amount of caffeine and sugar the drink contains.
The FDA recommends a daily caffeine intake of 400mg, depending on your caffeine tolerance. Go for drinks that contain caffeine below this limit.
Energy drinks with more than 150mg of caffeine can result in a caffeine crash. Therefore, opting for drinks with 80-100mg of caffeine is a safe bet.
When it comes to sugar, you want an energy drink that contains less than 30g. If you want to eliminate sugar intake from your diet completely, go for the sugar-free options.
Sugar-free energy drinks contain artificial sweeteners that are less harmful than sugar.
Is It Okay To Drink Energy Drink Every Day?
Yes, it’s okay to drink energy drinks every day. The key is moderation.
Energy drinks are associated with many health risks, but they’re only instigated when you consume them in excess.
If you’re planning on drinking energy drinks daily, go for energy drinks with lower caffeine and sugar content. As long as you’re keeping track of your daily caffeine and sugar intake you’re good to go.
Best Energy Drink For Workout
I have put together a list of energy drinks that I think work best for an instant energy boost before hitting the gym.
Depending on the caffeine content and other ingredients you can find the perfect fit for yourself!
These are listed in no particular order.
Monster Energy Drink
Monster Energy drink comes in a 16 fl oz. can, comprised of two servings. Per serving the drink contains 27g of sugar and 80mg of caffeine. Other active ingredients includes taurine, guarana, and ginseng extract.
Since the sugar content is a bit over the line, I prefer going for the sugar-free version of the drink.
Celsius
Celsius Energy drink markets itself as a fitness drink. The drink contains ingredients that are clinically approved and safe for consumption.
Celsius comes in five different versions, each aiming at a specific goal. The caffeine content ranges from 100-300mg with zero sugar and calories.
Celsius Heat is specifically designed to elevate your exercise performance and stamina.
Red Bull
Red Bull is one the most popular brands of energy drink. The original Red Bull contains 80mg of caffeine and 27g of sugar.
It contains ingredients like taurine and B-vitamins that enhance the effects of caffeine and makes the energy boost last longer.
Red Bull is available in a sugar-free version and has a wide range of flavors.
Aspire
Aspire contains an all-natural ingredient that helps your body perform at its best. The energy formula of Aspire contains 80mg of caffeine, essential vitamins, ginseng, and guarana extract.
The drink contains zero calories and sugar.
Bang Energy Drink
Bang Energy drink is one of the strongest energy drinks on the market. It contains 300mg of caffeine.
Bang Energy drink isn’t your everyday go-to drink as regular consumption of such a high amount of caffeine can result in various health issues.
It’s only suitable for those rare days when you need an intense energy boost. Even though Bang markets itself as a pre-workout drink containing super creatine, these claims are just a marketing scheme.
The energy boost of Bang Energy is mainly because of its high caffeine content.
Final Thoughts
Energy drinks are popular because they’re a quick and easy solution to low energy and stamina. It helps you stay on the top of your game, ready for action.
There are many contradictory opinions regarding the effects of energy drinks on health, but it all depends on how much you consume them.
Keeping track of your daily caffeine and sugar consumption is essential for maintaining a healthy body. Before you get yourself a can of energy drink, make sure you go through the ingredients. This will help you be more in charge of how the drink impacts your body.
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