The supermarket and health food store shelves are full of protein drinks, carbohydrate drinks and sports drinks. The latest trend involves vitamin-based energy drinks that claim to boost drooping energy levels of athletes as well as the average consumer. The American Dietetic Association warns that some of these drinks are loaded with empty carbs and caffeine, which may provide more energy than the vitamins contained in them.
Red Bull
Packaged in a tidy 8.3-ounce can, Red Bull is a popular energy drink that is chalk full of the B vitamins. This caffeinated energy concoction contains vitamin B12, pyridoxine, and niacin, which are all B vitamins that help convert nutrients into energy. The drink also includes inositol, which is sugar that is a part of the vitamin B complex and may have antioxidant properties.
Impulse
Impulse is a vitamin energy drink also served up in a 8.3 ounce can. Impulse contains a host of B vitamins including vitamin B6, B12, pantothenic acid and 100 percent of the recommended daily intake of vitamin C. Vitamin C, although a potent antioxidant and immune system booster, does not directly affect energy metabolism in the human body.
5 Hour Energy
Manufactured by Living Essentials, 5 Hour Energy comes in a handy two ounce bottle. Marketed as a drink that sustains energy, promotes concentration and improves focus, 5 Hour Energy comes in a regular and decaffeinated version for those who are caffeine sensitive. If some is good a lot more is not better; 5 Hour Energy contains 2000 percent of the recommended daily intake of vitamin B6 and a whopping 8333 percent of vitamin B12.
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