Energy drinks are nonalcoholic beverages containing purportedly energy-enhancing ingredients.
Most energy drinks on the market today are something with slight carbonation, a few beneficial sounding ingredients and something to wake up the drinkers usually with large amounts of caffeine.
The primarily ingredients are sugar and caffeine. Other ingredients may include vitamins, amino acids, guarana, carnitine, inositol, ginseng, and various herbs.
The sugar is higher than that of sports drinks, around 10-12 g per 100 g or 25-31 per 250 ml can, but about the same concentration as most soft drinks.
What is caffeine? Caffeine is a chemical that stimulate central nervous system. Most energy drinks contain between 140 and 170 milligrams of caffeine in a 15 or 16 ounce can.
Energy drinks are popular with adolescents, including athletes, who consume them before and during exercise in the belief that the drinks will give them a bots of energy, keep them alert and enhance their physical performance.
There are several concerns about energy drinks.
*The level of caffeine found in most energy drinks is not suitable for children or anyone sensitive to caffeine.
*Mixing energy drinks with alcohol increases the risk of heart arrhythmias.
*Using energy drinks before or during exercise may cause nervousness, light headaches and nausea.
Energy drinks are not the same as sports drink, although there are some drinks that combine elements of both. An energy drinks is designed to stimulate and provide energy boost, whereas a sports drink is aimed at replacing the water, sodium, and potassium that are lost through sweating.
Energy drinks stay in the stomach longer than plain water or sport drinks, and so do not provide an efficient way of rehydrating the body.
Energy Drinks
