Whether you’re working, exercising, or studying, energy drinks are great choices as they provide you with a boost that would put you in the mood to get focused and alert.
But with the energy drink market being as diverse as it, you might find it hard to find a brand you really like and need.
So, if you’re stuck on that, read on to know all about energy drinks, from what to look out for, what to expect complete with a list of handpicked brands that check all the boxes.
What To Look For In An Energy Drink
Caffeine Content
Naturally, the most important ingredient in energy drinks is caffeine, as it’s responsible for providing you with boost energy, along with potentially improving your cognitive functions.
Energy drinks tend to have between 50mg to 300mg of caffeine, depending on the brand to suit different personal energy needs and preferences, so you should choose the best serving size and brand according to your own caffeine metabolism and tolerance to it.
However, remember that caffeine isn’t an ingredient you can go crazy with, as the FDA recommends a daily caffeine intake of 400mg for healthy adults. Anything more than that, and you might end up with unpleasant side-effects such as:
- Insomnia
- Restlessness and shakiness
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Anxiety
- Dehydration
Therefore, it’s important to take note of the number of energy drinks you have within a day, and also to moderate your daily intake of caffeinated beverages to avoid exceeding the daily limit.
Sugar
While sugar in small doses puts us in good mood and acts as a superb dopamine booster, consuming it in excess would only make your general health and body suffer.
Considering that the AHA approves of a daily sugar limit of 25g for women and 36g for men, it’s safe to say that you should be looking for an energy drink with a sugar content that stays below those limits.
After all, a low sugar intake keeps you within the healthy zone and prevents you from getting sugar crashes, which isn’t something you want when you’re busy with getting things done.
Plus, a diet fairly high in sugar generally leads to a number of health issues, including:
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Aging skin
- High blood pressure
In any case, the best way to get the most out of the boost from your energy drink is to make sure the sugar content of your beverage is relatively low.
Artificial Sweeteners
Artificial sweeteners are the way to go if you’re trying to cut out on all that ordinary sugar, with the most common ones in energy drinks being Sucralose and Acesulfame Potassium.
These sweeteners give your energy drinks a deliciously sweet taste, satisfying your cravings without the unnecessary calories. While artificial sweeteners are approved for general consumption by the FDA, it’s best to consume them in moderation as there are still concerns regarding their long-term use.
So, while artificial sweeteners have more positives than regular sugar, especially if you’re on a diet or trying to lose weight, it’s better to consume them on occasions where you’re exercising.
Do Energy Drinks Work?
Energy drinks definitely work due to the caffeine present in these drinks.
Think back to when you’re drinking a cup of coffee, or having a hot mug of tea. Usually, after drinking them, you’ll feel more alert and focused. This effect is due to the caffeine within these beverages which stimulates your nervous system and brain, preventing chemicals that are responsible for sleep from functioning.
Since energy drinks also contain caffeine, you will definitely feel more awake after having a can, with a few added perks included in the mix.
That said, the boost from energy drinks is temporary, which means that you’ll find yourself slowing down once the effects of the caffeine wear off.
So, while energy drinks definitely work, the boost from the drinks lasts for a limited amount of time, similar to other caffeinated beverages.
How Long Does It Take For An Energy Drink To Kick In?
Energy drinks begin to take effect after about 10 minutes, though it may up to around 30 minutes to notice the effects. The peak of the energy boost from the drinks will occur between 30 and 60 minutes after consumption.
When consuming energy drinks, be ready to get a pretty considerable boost since these drinks have caffeine, which some brands contain more than others.
While peak caffeine absorption generally happens around the 45-minute mark after consumption, it’ll mostly depend on your caffeine metabolism and how frequently you consume caffeine.
If you want to know more about the precise timing of when energy drinks really kick in, check out the article I’ve written here that covers the real-time of when energy drinks really take effect.
Benefits Of Energy Drinks
Energy drinks, like coffee, tea, and yerba mate, are actually beneficial in moderate amounts without any of the worrying adverse effects.
Since energy drinks are caffeinated, consuming a can would enhance your physical performance, especially in terms of endurance and stamina.
Plus, your cognitive functions and mood will also improve after an energy drink, which would make you more motivated and refreshed.
Another aspect of energy drinks that I like personally is that these drinks come in convenient sizes and packaging that it makes easier for me to carry them around. I don’t have to wait until my drink cools down and I can also have them on the go, which isn’t something you can do with coffee or tea unless they’re iced.
That said, while energy drinks carry a number of great benefits that would improve your daily life, be sure to keep your intake in moderation, or you might end up with a caffeine-induced headache instead.
Side Effects Of Energy Drinks
Energy drinks are definitely a quick way to energize yourself, but having too many of them could lead to some negative effects, minor and major, which potentially could affect your health in the long run.
Some of these possible adverse effects include:
- Weight gain
- Insomnia
- Nervousness
- Restlessness
- Shaking
- Irritability
- Fatigue and sugar crashes
- Stomach Irritation
- Caffeine addiction
- Dehydration and weakness
- Poor dental health
- Kidney stones
- Respiratory problems
- Miscarriage
- High blood pressure
- Kidney failure
- Allergic reactions
It’s perfectly fine to have energy drinks in moderate amounts but make sure not to double down on them too often, or you’ll end up with some unwanted repercussions later.
Is It Healthy To Drink One Energy Per Day?
It’s completely okay to drink one energy drink a day as it can boost your energy and performance levels. Occasionally having an energy drink won’t immediately affect your health, but consuming in excess or too frequently would lead to a fair number of health problems.
Drinking a can of energy drink in a day isn’t completely bad for your health, and it may benefit you instead. You would be more refreshed and alert, leading to improved mental concentration and exercise performance.
That said, if you’re consuming energy drinks too frequently, you might want to consider cutting down. Energy drinks generally contain high amounts of caffeine, sugar, and calories, which could lead to plenty of negative effects if you don’t moderate your intake or work out to burn off the extra calories.
Thus, while having one can of energy drink occasionally isn’t that concerning on your health, try not to have these drinks too regularly.
Which energy drink is the most effective?
I have to say, Redline Xtreme is the ultimate high-octane energy drink. Only 8 fluid ounces (240 milliliters) of the beverage contains a whopping 316 milligrams of caffeine. On a scale that measures caffeine concentration by ounce, this one is a winner!
Come to think of it, caffeine in Redline is about equivalent to what you’d get from consuming three cups of coffee. Some individuals may experience jitteriness and headaches from this much coffee. If you’re not tolerant of caffeine, you can find yourself in the same boat.
Best Energy Drinks Ever
| Energy Drinks | Caffeine Content | Sugar Content | Calories |
| Red Bull | 80mg | 24g | 110 calories |
| Adrenaline Shoc | 300mg | 0g | 0 calories |
| Guru | 100mg | 21g | 80 calories |
| REIZE | 50mg | 0g | 11 calories |
Red Bull
A prolific sponsor and well-established brand, Red Bull is a compact energy drink that offers a sizable boost with a small selection of ingredients and caffeine.
A single 8.4 fl.oz can of Red Bull contains 80mg of caffeine, 24g of sugar, 110 calories, along with some amino acids and B vitamins.
Red Bull also has a wide variety of fruit-inspired flavors to choose from, which is a big bonus, if you’re not really a fan of the Original flavor.
For a more detailed discussion on what Red Bull Energy really contains, check out my article on the caffeine and ingredients of Red Bull Energy Drink for a comprehensive breakdown of what they do.
Adrenaline Shoc
Advertised as a ‘clean energy’ performance beverage, Adrenaline Shoc is a sugar-free energy drink that boasts a repertoire of refreshing ingredients made for the health-conscious in mind.
A 16 fl.oz can of Adrenaline Shoc is calorie-free with 300mg of caffeine, and a generous serving of beneficial ingredients including BCAAs, which are great for improving exercise performance.
Perhaps the best thing about Adrenaline Shoc is that its caffeine content is sourced from a blend of natural ingredients, which I appreciate, as it definitely guarantees a powerful and healthy boost.
If you want to find out more about how Adrenaline Shoc tastes and works, check out my review on Adrenaline Shoc Energy Drink for my thoughts on the drink.
Guru
Made with health in mind, Guru is an all-natural energy drink with a wide variety of organic ingredients while keeping artificiality to a minimum.
Each 8.4 fl.oz can of Guru contains 100mg of natural caffeine, 80 calories, 21g of sugar made from organic cane syrup, with a clean and crisp flavor reminiscent of sparkling water.
Free of artificial sweeteners and certified organic, Guru is definitely an energy drink you want to include in your daily diet if you’re looking for a healthier everyday boost.
If you’re not sure about having that much sugar from one energy drink, Guru also offers a Sugar-free flavor that has the same caffeine content and benefits sans the unnecessary calories.
For a more in-depth look into what a can of Guru offers you, check out the article I’ve written on the caffeine and ingredients of Guru Energy for a detailed explanation of their functions.
REIZE (10 Out Of 10)
While the previously mentioned energy drinks are great, but REIZE definitely ticks all the boxes with its low calorie and sugar content along with its affordable price tag.
Packaged in light and convenient 4g sachets, REIZE is a powdered energy drink that has a sensible 50mg of caffeine and only 11 calories per serving.
REIZE is sugar-free and consists of an equal blend of advantageous components such as taurine, ginseng, and B vitamins that, when it is combined with a single drink, give you the perfect boost of energy without suffering from any sugar crashes.
The best part is that REIZE ships to your home for only $1 per sachet, which is great value for money.
Give REIZE a try, and you might agree that it’s one of the best energy drinks ever.