Working out demands a lot of energy from your body. Bodybuilding.com's calorie expenditure calculator notes that an hour of weightlifting can burn more than 450 calories. You may find that an energy drink will help you perform at your best for the entire duration of your workout. Although many energy drinks have similar nutrition and ingredient profiles, the best energy drinks for workouts contain ingredients that not only enhance endurance but may also promote improvements in body composition.
Terminalia arjuna
Terminalia arjuna is an extract from the leaves of a tree known as the white marudah. According to research published in the July 2010 issue of the "International Journal of Ayurveda Research," consumption of Terminalia arjuna extract may significantly improve your endurance during exercise, which makes it an ingredient that should be included in the best energy drinks for workouts.
Quercetin
Quercetin is an antioxidant that may help protect your body from free radical damage, but the best workout energy drinks may also contain this ingredient for a different reason. According to a study performed in the April 2009 issue of the "American Journal of Physiology: Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology," supplementation of quercetin increased endurance capacity. This can help you have longer, more effective workouts.
L-Malate
L-malate is a chemical compound found in fruit that is commonly added to bodybuilding supplements and some energy drinks. According to research published in the January 2007 issue of "Physiology Research," consumption of L-malate can be beneficial because it enhances your body's ability to produce energy. The researchers found that this translated to an improvement in stamina and endurance.
Branched-Chain Amino Acids
Branched-chain amino acids, commonly abbreviated as BCAAs, are among the components that provide structure to your muscles. The best energy drinks will have isoleucine, leucine and valine as ingredients, as these amino acids can promote increased endurance and fat burning, according to research from the March 2011 issue of the "Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness". A study published in the June 2006 issue of the "Journal of the American College of Nutrition" found that BCAAs can also prevent muscle breakdown caused by intense exercise.
Warnings
Dietary supplements are not regulated in the same manner as food or medication, so be aware that potential side effects may exist. Supplement manufacturers are not required to obtain FDA approval prior to selling their products. The FDA can take pursue against unsafe supplements after they are on the market, but the organization does not block supplements from coming to the market. Consult a doctor prior to using any supplements. If you experience any side effects, discontinue use and seek medical attention.
References
- Bodybuilding.com: Calories Burned While Exercising
- Purdue Horticulture & Landscape Architecture; Arjun or Koha [Terminalia arjuna (Roxb.) W. & A.]; Pankaj Oudhia; 2002
- "International Journal of Ayurveda Research"; Effects of Withania Somnifera (Ashwagandha) and Terminalia Arjuna (Arjuna) on Physical Performance and Cardiorespiratory Endurance in Healthy Young Adults; J.S. Sandu et al.; July 2010
- "American Journal of Physiology: Regulatory Integrative and Comparative Physiology"; Influence of Resistance and Aerobic Exercise on Hunger, Circulating Levels of Acylated Ghrelin, and Peptide YY in Healthy Males; D.R. Broom et al.; January 2009
- "Physiology Research"; Effects of L-Malate on Physical Stamina and Activities of Enzymes Related to the Malate-Aspartate Shuttle in Liver of Mice; J.L. Wu et al.; January 2007
- "Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness"; Branched-Chain Amino Acids Supplementation Enhances Exercise Capacity and Lipid Oxidation During Endurance Exercise After Muscle Glycogen Depletion; A.B. Gualano et al.; March 2011
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