Do Energy Drink Powders Really Work? (The Truth Revealed)
If you are a morning person who has a long and hectic day ahead or a person who prefers studying late at night, then you must be a coffee-lover. However, if you are a gamer or play sports, then you must be well acquainted with energy drinks.
Their consumption has increased over the past few decades. And since people have started their careers in gaming or streaming, the consumption of energy drinks has increased even more.
The reason for this growing popularity is quite understandable. Energy increasing drink contains ingredients that not only make you alert and active but also benefit you in other ways by increasing your cognitive and physical activities.
The presence of vitamins, minerals, electrolytes, and other stimulants in an energy drink makes it unique, unlike other drinks. So it can be said that energy drinks do work due to the perfect fusion of ingredients!
However, let’s see in detail how and why Energy Drink Powders work. Do not stop and let’s continue reading!
Contents
What are energy drink powders?
Energy drink powders are a mix of amino acids, minerals, vitamins, various extracts that are similar to liquid energy drinks.
The only difference is between energy drinks present in powder form and liquid energy drinks is that the latter are already ready to drink and you do not have to mix them with liquid to consume them. However, the energy drink present in powder form has to be mixed with water before being consumed.
You have to mix them with the proper amount of water or the recommended amount of water by the brand itself. Too much diluted or concentrated energy powdered drink can differ from the original taste of the drink.
Common Ingredients of Energy drink powders
There are many energy drinks that are famous for the refreshment properties and energy boost they provide. However, the reason behind their energy-boosting properties is the ingredients they are comprised of.
A few ingredients which give energy-boosting properties to energy drinks are the following:
Caffeine in Energy Drinks
Caffeine and energy drinks have a deeper connection than we think. Because one of the most effective types of stimulants added to energy drinks is caffeine. Caffeine works effectively to keep an individual awake and alert.
Caffeine has good absorption properties and once it is absorbed, it quickly evens out in the entire body, including the human brain.
Once it enters the brain, caffeine works to decrease sleep by blocking the site of the receptors of the adenosine which is responsible for drowsiness. It suppresses adenosine receptors by latching them in place of adenosine.
Are you looking out for the energy drink brand that promises the strongest kick? Check out my article where I cover the best energy drink powders available on the market.
It is noteworthy that the ingestion of caffeine should not be more than 400 mg a day.
Too much consumption can cause negative effects like:
- Nausea
- Jitters
- Crashes
- Dizziness
- Irregular heartbeat
Taurine in Energy Drinks
The amino acid, Taurine, is usually added into energy drinks to increase their effectiveness.
Studies show that taurine is linked to increased physical and mental capabilities. The effects can be intensified for brain health when combined with caffeine.
It is present all over the human body. However, the exact function of it is not highlighted but it is associated with an increase in body capabilities of exercising.
So as mentioned above, adding a taurine amino acid to energy drinks can increase mental and physiological health.
Antioxidants in Energy Drinks
As we are well aware of the functions of antioxidants in the human body so it is not rocket science to figure out why are they added to energy drinks!
Antioxidants play a major role in protecting the body against damages caused by free radicals.
Moreover, antioxidants also increase the energy levels, and thus the athletic performance of an individual is also increased.
Vitamins in Energy Drinks
Vitamins hold for the human body for various purposes and functions. Many vitamins also work as antioxidants. Vitamin B complex is good for the human body because they boost energy.
Minerals in Energy Drinks
Minerals are the electrolytes needed by our body. Minerals and electrolytes serve their function of effectively regulating the fluids and salt during any exercise.
Always choose an energy drink with minerals if you are looking for a pre-workout or post-workout energy drink because it can work as a good energy supplement.
Guarana in Energy Drinks
Guarana has been used for a long time for the purpose of increasing one’s alertness and overall energy.
It is noteworthy, that Guarana beans contain more caffeine than the coffee beans themselves. So they are quite amazing sources of caffeine.
Ginseng in Energy Drinks
The suggested amount of Ginseng root per day is around 0.2 to 3 g.
Ginseng is a medicinal herb and according to the beliefs of people, it increases energy and can directly affect the cognitive abilities of an individual which includes promoting memory.
Consumption of Ginseng root is also believed to be liked with improved thinking. If you are someone who often feels fatigued, then they should consider consuming Ginseng.
However, as it is not produced naturally in our body so some people might have side effects like headaches and diarrhea.
Due to the energy-boosting effects when Ginseng is added into energy drinks then it can prove to be a helpful ingredient.
Glucuronolactone in Energy Drinks
When the liver breaks down glucose, glucuronolactone is produced so it can be said as the natural chemical present in the body.
It is often added into energy drinks due to the hypothetical benefits of Glucuronolactone such as increasing energy and enhancing athletic activities.
Some Good Energy drink powders
There are many energy drink powders in the market that are full of nutrients such as:
- Vitamins
- Minerals
- Electrolytes
- Antioxidants
- Natural flavors and a few chemicals
The list of some good energy drinks are:
- Celsius On-The-Go
- Outbreak Nutrition FPS
- Razorwire energy powder
- Advocare Spark
- Zipfizz
- JuJu Energy powder
This is not the entire list of good energy drinks. There are many energy drinks that can be opted for because of the price they offer and quality the possess.
How do Energy drinks boost energy?
Energy drinks contain many energy-boosting ingredients like caffeine, taurine, alpha GPG, Ginseng root, Guarana, etc. These ingredients work as a complex and act in a group to keep an individual awake and alert.
Effects of energy drinks on the body
The effects of energy drinks vary from person to person. Some people are highly sensitive to caffeine, while others are not really sensitive to caffeine.
However, the ones who are not sensitive to caffeine usually drink more amount of caffeine, and eventually, they end up becoming caffeine dependent.
In other cases, caffeine can also cause the side effects that are mentioned in the article.
Effects of energy drinks on the mind
Energy drinks can increase the cognition of a person as it is an amino acid that combines with caffeine to enhance its effects on the human body.
On the other hand, if you want to look at the darker side of the effects of caffeine on the body then you should know that caffeine can also worsen the symptoms of anxiety or depression.
Other benefits of energy drink powders:
- There are many benefits of energy drink such as:
- They enhance energy.
- They boost up mental capabilities.
- Consumption of energy drink can make you physically strong along with improving mental health
Here’s a deep discussion on when the powdered energy drinks kick in.
Side effects of energy drinks
Even though energy drinks contain additional nutrients that are healthy along with these ingredients energy drinks contain ingredients like caffeine, guarana, etc.
Caffeine can be harmful to a person if taken in high dosages. Caffeine sensitive people can come across symptoms such as:
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Shakiness
- Jitters and Crashes
- Insomnia
- Vomiting
Moreover, Guarana also has caffeine. So it can have equal effects as caffeine on the person.
Even though minerals are good for health as they regulate the fluid function of the body. However, minerals such as sodium Chloride can have certain side effects such as:
- Fast heartbeat.
- Itching and rashes.
- irritation.
- joint pain.
- Joint stiffness, or swelling.
- Difficulty in breathing.
- Trouble in smelling something.
Is drinking energy drinks everyday okay?
Drinking energy drinks daily is okay if they do not contain high caffeine dosages. Other than caffeine, sugar and sodium can also be harmful to the body if taken in excessive so it is best to stick to the recommended amount of energy drinks.
Before consuming these drinks, make sure to check their nutrient facts label so that you can be aware of the ingredients present in the drink.
There are zero-calorie, zero-sugar, and even caffeine-free energy drinks present out there. So if you are caffeine sensitive or diabetic, then you can consume such drinks.
Bottomline
Energy drinks are sources of good content of energy.
However, you should check the ingredients of the drinks before drinking energy drinks.
They contain healthy ingredients like caffeine, taurine, vitamins, antioxidants and so much more.
However, if I say that energy drinks work quite effectively then it will not be wrong. They help a person by keeping him alert and active.
You can drink them without worrying about the nutrients because usually energy drink contains 0 sugar and low-calorie content.
