Energy drinks full of sugar, stimulants
in
Long
Q: What is your take on energy drinks? I am always tired before I exercise and they seem to help.
A: Energy drinks have never been more popular. It seems they are advertised in every major magazine, on TV, the radio and touted at many sporting events. Your local gas station probably offers at least 10-20 varieties, and I often see college students drinking them.
That being said, let's get to the facts. Most energy drinks contain a central nervous system stimulant such as caffeine, taurine or herbal stimulants such as guarana. Caffeine is actually considered a drug, and the other ingredients act as stimulants as well.
Except for the diet versions, most have a lot of calories via sugar and, just like soft drinks, these calories are considered empty calories. Empty calories are simply calories that go to little, if any, benefit to the human body. Basically, what you have with most of these beverages is a beefed-up soft drink full of sugar and stimulants to the nervous system.
Another interesting fact is energy only comes from calories. Caffeine doesn't give someone energy; it is a stimulant. It works on the brain and nervous system. So the actual energy is from the sugar in the regular (not diet) energy drinks.
This is the same sugar in a soft drink. Combining the sugar and caffeine (or its equivalent ingredient) really packs a punch. Realistically, I don't think consuming an energy drink every now and then will cause most people harm, but I highly discourage their use among children, the sick, those on medication or the elderly.
Some people react very poorly to the ingredients in these drinks so they should be especially cautious. The best plan is to eat and drink natural foods and beverages, train properly and get plenty of sleep.
Many college students are hooked on energy drinks because they get only a few hours sleep per night. Energy drinks aren't the solution for that problem either.
Scot E. Long, MSS, CSCS, is an exercise physiologist. He also is a doctoral candidate at the University of Southern Mississippi and full-time professor at Mississippi College.
