Energy drinks are crazy popular, but have you ever stopped to look at their ingredients?
I like to let loose once in a while with some liquid energy, but I’ve also educated myself on the ingredients.
Here’s what I’ve found:
Energy Drinks and Health Risk
While energy drinks seem to have everything from Ginseng to rocket fuel, their main health risk seems to come from their sugar, calorie and caffeine content.
Here’s a breakdown of the contents of common energy drinks and alternatives:
| Coffee | Energy Shots | Energy Drinks | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calories | 4 | 4 | 120-220 |
| Sugar | 0 | 0 | 30-60 g |
| Caffeine | 135 mg | 135 mg | 125-160 m |
For the sake of this comparison
- Coffee is black (no milk or sugar)
- Energy shots are those little bottles you find at the counter of most convenience stores
- Energy drink scores are a cross-section of the most common drinks, such as Red Bull, Monster and Rock Star
As you can see, aside from the supplements, caffeine content stays pretty much the same no matter what you drink. The problem comes from the fact that they are LOADED with calories and sugar.
It doesn’t taste like candy, but if you’re really intent on sucking down caffeine, why not just drink coffee with low-fat sweeteners?
If you still want to have an energy drink, take a second to check the nutritional label. You’d be surprised at how much of a difference there is between brands.
Are Energy Drinks Natural Health Products?
From the Health Canada website:
Under the Natural Health Products Regulations, which came into effect on January 1, 2004, natural health products (NHPs) are defined as:
- Vitamins and minerals
- Herbal remedies
- Homeopathic medicines
- Traditional medicines such as traditional Chinese medicines
- Probiotics, and
- Other products like amino acids and essential fatty acids.
NHPs must be safe for consideration as over-the-counter products and not require a prescription to be sold. Products requiring a prescription will continue to be regulated under the Next link will take you to another Web site Food and Drug Regulations.
Of the multitude of energy drinks out there, only Red Bull is listed as a Natural Health Product, possibly just because it’s been around for so long.
Healthier Alternatives to Energy Drinks
While their marketing may not be as sexy, your ass will be when you’re not sucking down hundreds of calories of what tastes like melted Gummie-Bears.
- Green tea
Green tea is ridiculously healthy. It’s been known to speed up you’re metabolism and can have added Ginseng and other herbal varieties. - Pure fruit juice
At almost 100 years old, Jack Lalanne is probably more healthy than I will ever be. He juices (the good way) every day. If its good enough for Jack, ’nuff said. - Vitamin B-12
Many energy drinks add this in. Why not cut out the middleman and just buy the supplement? - Coffee
Plain ol’ Joe. The original energy drink.
Aside from being healthier, the above alternatives are also wayyyy cheaper. One energy drink will cost you the same as a jar of instant coffee that lasts you a month.
Food, or drink, for thought.
What are your thoughts? Love ‘em? Hate ‘em? Have an alternative? Let us know in the comments!
Photo C/O Simon le nippon
