Effects of Energy Drinks

A variety of physiological and psychological effects attributed to energy drinks and/or their ingredients have been investigated.

Significant improvements have been reported in mental and cognitive performances as well as increased subjective alertness. Excess consumption of energy drinks may induce mild to moderate euphoria primarily caused by stimulant properties of caffeine and may also induce agitation, anxiety, irritability and insomnia. In young healthy adults an energy drink significantly increased upper body muscle endurance. It was also suggested that reversal of caffeine withdrawal is a major component of the effects of caffeine on mood and performance.

Restorative properties were shown by a combination of caffeine and the sugar glucose in an energy drinks, and some degree of synergy between the cognition-modulating effects of glucose and caffeine was also suggested.

Energy Drinks Ingredients

Training for peak athletic performance includes the standards of strength and speed training and sport specific drills. Today, energy drinks are fast becoming a standard in the athlete’s arsenal for attaining optimal performance.

Generally energy drinks include methylxanthines(including Caffeine), vitamin B and herbs. Other common ingredients are guarana, acai, and taurine, plus various forms of ginseng, maltodextrin, carbonated water, inositol, carnitine, creatine, glucuronolactone and ginkgo biloba. Some contain high levels of sugar, and many brands also offer artificially-sweetened 'diet' versions. The central ingredient in most energy drinks is caffeine, the same stimulant found in coffee or tea, often in the form of guarana or yerba mate.

The average 237 milliliter (8 fluid ounce)energy drink has about 80 mg of caffeine, 480 mL (16 fl. oz.) drinks containing around 150 mg.

Energy Drinks

Energy drinks are soft drinks advertised as providing energy to improve physical activity of the drinker, as compared to a typical drink. Rather than providing food energy (as measured in calories), energy drinks are designed to increase a user's mental alertness and physical performance by the addition of caffeine, vitamins, and herbal supplements which may interact to provide a stimulant effect over and above that obtained from caffeine alone.

Healthy Energy Drinks

Healthly Energy drinks are soft drinks advertised as providing energy to improve physical activity of the drinker, as compared to a typical drink. Rather than providing food energy these drinks are designed to increase a user’s mental alertness and physical performance by the addition of caffeine, vitamins, and herbal supplements which may interact to provide a stimulant effect over and above that obtained from caffeine alone.
Generally, healthy energy drinks include methylxanthines (including caffeine), vitamin B and herbs. Other common ingredients are guarana, which has a high caffeine content, and taurine, plus various forms of ginseng, maltodextrin, carbonated water, inositol, carnitine, creatine, glucuronolactone and ginkgo biloba. Some contain high levels of sugar, and many brands also offer artificially-sweetened ‘diet’ versions. The central ingredient in most energy drinks is caffeine, the same stimulant found in coffee or tea, often in the form of guarana or yerba mate.