A health energy drink is a beverage that purports to give you energy and might also purport other health benefits as a result of consuming the beverage. As a dietary supplement, the Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, does not regulate the ingredients found in health energy drink products, nor does it evaluate the purported claims made by the manufacturers of these products. Before consuming any health energy drink, you should fully understand all of the ingredients found in these beverages. Additionally, as a dietary supplement, you should speak to a medical professional prior to consuming these beverages.
Ingredients and Process
Manufacturers make a variety of health energy drinks that contain different ingredients. Additionally, you will see both natural health energy drinks and processed or manufactured health energy drinks. Natural health energy drinks do not use any artificial flavors, colors, chemicals, preservatives, yeast or alcohol. Furthermore, natural health energy drinks cannot contain any genetically modified organisms and only use organic and clean materials. The manufacturing process for natural health energy drinks does not heat, distill or use hazardous and harmful solvents and chemicals to produce the health energy drink.
Hydration
Alternative health energy drinks contain real fruit juices, low-fat milk and water. Dehydration makes you tired, and adequate hydration with just water can prevent many of the ups and downs caused by consuming simple sugars. Health energy drinks purport to help your body rehydrate by providing fluids supplemented with large amounts of vitamins, minerals and herbs.
Effects of Caffeine
Many health energy drinks contain large amounts of caffeine. Adenosine is a chemical in your brain involved in sleep. Caffeine works by blocking the effect of adenosine, causing the neurons in your brain to fire. In response to this action, your adrenal gland releases adrenaline, making your heart beat faster. Additionally, your liver will release extra sugar into your bloodstream for more energy. At the same time, caffeine causes the level of dopamine to increase in your brain's pleasure center. The combination of all of these processes makes your body feel as if it has more energy.
Not Needing Energy Drinks
You can avoid the need to use health energy drinks by eating the right foods, resting and staying hydrated. If you consume good complex carbohydrates, fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grain cereals and breads, and low-fat yogurt and dairy products, you can help your body sustain energy levels throughout the day. Additionally, you should eat several healthy meals per day, exercise and sleep regularly.
References
- "Energy Drinks: Caffeine levels raise concerns"; Edward Miller-Jones; 2010
- "Energy Drinks (Powerfoods)"; Friedrich Bohlmann; 1999
- "Energy Drinks -- Are They For You?"; Howard Birky; 2007
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