Energy drinks are the hottest beverage products on the shelves. In fact, some estimate that the market could reach $10 billion in the next few years. Perhaps a quick energy boost is just what our overly tired, stressed out society thinks it needs.
Video game addicts, college students, athletes, even senior citizens all have reasons for sipping energy drinks. However, the amount of caffeine these consumers are ingesting can be alarming. According to the USDA, a cup of brewed coffee averages about 95 mg. Energy drinks range from 47 to 280 mg, with many falling around 140 mg.
Too much caffeine can disrupt the sleep cycle, harm short-term memory and learning, and lead to decreased productivity, headaches, nausea, depression and increased heart rates and blood pressure. Plus caffeinated drinks have a diuretic effect, causing the body to lose water through frequent urination. Concerns over excessive amounts of caffeine and the crash that follows have led to some decaffeinated varieties of these popular beverages that rely on other ingredients to provide energy.
What to Look for
The best drinks should keep you hydrated while using nutritious ingredients to provide energy. Although only a few energy drink brands currently offer a decaf option, more may consider its market potential as they find ways to emphasize and add health benefits according to RTS, a research firm specializing in the food industry.
So, if most energy drinks rely on caffeine and sugar to provide caffeine, where does the energy come from? One brand suggests that its formula includes B-vitamins for energy and amino acids for focus. Another ingredient, choline, plays an important role in cognitive function. The brand claims that this ingredient, which is also present in eggs, soy and meats, is vital to the production of neurotransmitters in the brain that affect memory, intelligence and mood.
Common Pitfalls
Make sure to read labels before purchasing any energy drink. Even drinks labeled as "decaffeinated" include caffeine in their ingredients list. According to the Mayo Clinic, an average cup of decaf coffee contains about 2 mg of caffeine (sometimes more). Although this amount may seem small, caffeine sensitivity or use of certain medications may restrict you to no caffeine. Caffeine allergies are often overlooked because they are often masked by misdiagnosed mental disorders.
Some drinks contain other controversial ingredients, including aspartame and "ancient remedies" that have not been safely tested. These herbs and extracts claim to improve conditions ranging from brain function to immunity to athletic performance to sex drive and fertility.
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