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As we all know, fatigue is a common manifestation of all types of cancer. It is one of the excruciating parts of having this sickness. However, as tempting as a can of Monster may sound, it is probably not the most ideal method for dealing with fatigue, especially after your chemotherapy session.
While the sugar and caffeine in energy drinks may give you a short burst of energy, I assure you it will not last all day. Not to mention the unwanted side effect it comes with these.
While it may seem as if nothing will help your cancer-related weariness, there are certain things you may do to regain energy.
For this reason, keep reading to learn what you can and cannot drink when you’re dealing with cancer.
Can Chemo Patients Drink Energy Drinks?
Although there is no concrete proof that energy drinks might aggravate cancer, experts recommend against consuming any caffeine, the main constituent of energy drinks.
Caffeine is a significant part of energy drinks that works as a stimulant that sucks water out of your cells, leading you to urinate more fluid than you are absorbing.
Chemotherapeutic medicines and their interactions with each other cause side effects on our bodies influencing almost all the body’s organ systems. Adding energy drinks to your diet that poses greater risks will not make it better.
Also, genetics, other physiological parameters, and tolerance all have a role in how long and strong the effects of caffeine last. This may be influenced by various circumstances, so it’s essential to check with your doctor before deciding whether or not to take it.
How Can I Boost my Energy During Chemo?
I’m sure that even a few hours of rest or sleep may not completely alleviate the symptoms of tiredness when you have cancer. Hence, keep your energy reserves up by drinking enough fluids and eating a healthy diet.
Chemotherapy is most often associated with exhaustion and relentless fatigue. It’s even possible to have muscular aches and pains, brain fog, burnout, and even difficulty carrying out everyday tasks.
Another option is to engage in some kind of exercise. I don’t recommend lifting heavy weights, though.
Although, moderate activity, such as brisk walking, riding a bike, or swimming, might help you maintain your energy level throughout the week. Of course, you still have to consult your doctor whether or not this is safe for you since it’s pretty much a case-to-case scenario for other patients.
What Nutrients do Cancer Patients Need?
When undergoing cancer treatment, it’s important to follow dietary guidelines similar to those advised for the general public. This generally includes a plant-based diet rich in whole grains and lean protein and a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables.
I’m sure eating healthy may not be the first thing that springs to mind when you think about cancer treatment. You may think medications, chemotherapy treatments, and surgery are all your options. However, nutrition is foundational when it comes to getting healthy.
Because of the specific nature of the illness, medicine, and probable side effects, you may be wary about what food and nutrition to take during your cancer treatment.
With that, consider a diet rich in:
Also, avoiding red and processed meats, refined carbs, and sugar is a good idea.
Still, you should inquire with the medical professionals you’re working with about any particular dietary advice that may be related to your cancer type, therapy, or side effects of treatment.
In some cases, cancer patients may be recommended to alter their diets and take oral nutrition supplements due to the increased likelihood of nausea and vomiting.
What Drinks are Good for Chemo Patients?
During chemotherapy, it is essential to drink a lot of water. Dehydration from additional adverse effects such as fever, nausea, diarrhea, or frequent urine may occur due to chemotherapy and radiation treatment.
There may be an increase in IV hydration owing to the higher fluid demands caused by these therapies.
Even when you’re healthy, research suggests that staying hydrated is critical throughout cancer treatment. In the same way that water brings life to our world, the human body relies on it to sustain itself.
There are various methods to improve the flavor of water if you don’t like its taste, which can be expected since, in some cases, a rusty or metallic flavor is present when you’re undergoing chemotherapy.
So to give your water a delicate taste, try adding finely chopped ginger, cinnamon, peppermint, lemon or grapefruit slices, berries, or a squirt of fruit juice. Adding a range of drinks to your drink is a great way to spice things up.
Moreso, water, juices, smoothies, milk, and even caffeine-free tea all contribute toward your daily hydration intake target.
Best Energy Drink for Cancer Patients
While I don’t suggest drinking energy drinks when you’re battling cancer, here are some of the healthiest energy drinks you can try once you finally kick cancer’s butt!
| Energy Drinks | Caffeine | Calories | Sugar |
| Runa Clean Energy | 150 mg | 10 cal | 2 g |
| Guru | 100 mg | 80 cal | 21 g |
| REIZE (10 out of 10) | 50 mg | 11 cal | 0 g |
Runa Clean Energy
There are no calories or sweets in RUNA, which makes it a great energy drink option. Antioxidants and caffeine are found naturally in an indigenous Amazonian super leaf known as “guayusa,” which RUNA uses to fuel its workouts.
Since its manufacturer only uses natural ingredients, you can be certain that RUNA Energy is devoted to providing you with clean energy.
Each RUNA can contain 150 milligrams of naturally brewed caffeine, thanks to guayusa’s involvement in the process.
In addition, the polyphenols and L-theanine in Guayusa give long-lasting energy and concentration without the jitters and sugar crashes typically found in artificial energy sources.
Indeed, Runa is the drink for those days when you’d do anything for an additional hour of sleep.
Guru
Those who are seeking an energy boost while still being mindful of their health may like Guru energy drink.
Most of the company’s components are taken from natural sources, such as green tea leaf extract, Panax ginseng root extract, and echinacea flower extract.
Additionally, the 100mg of caffeine in Guru Energy Drink is touted as a healthier choice since it comes from natural sources like coffee beans and tea.
To add to that, there are 21 grams of sugar in Guru, which I don’t think to be very healthy. Although Guru has a little amount of caffeine that is unlikely to cause a crash, it does include a significant amount of sugar which can.
REIZE (Top Pick)
REIZE is a marvelous powdered energy drink stored in convenient 4g packets that you can enjoy virtually anywhere. The caffeine content of REIZE is modest at 50 milligrams and it contains no sugar at all.
Taurine, ginseng, and vitamin B-complex are also included in this supplement’s formula. Since it gives you the adrenaline boost you need to go through your day without collapsing like other brands so it must be a perfect combo of energy drinks.
Supplements containing ginseng have been demonstrated to help alleviate tiredness in limited trials. Still, consult your doctor before beginning any new supplement regimen since ginseng and other supplements may interact negatively with some prescription drugs.
You can get REIZE for only around $1 per serving and you can even have your orders delivered! That’s amazing value for your money.
Hence, consider giving REIZE a shot once you’re all better!
Other Energy Drinks You Should Try:
Bottomline
In light of the above, it’s recommended to avoid any energy drinks, regardless of how beneficial they claim to be if you’re a cancer patient. Always keep in mind that the ingredients in energy drinks have significant hazards, and because cancer is a known risk, it’s better to avoid them altogether.
To avoid a nutritional crisis, it’s best to take preventive measures. A health care practitioner who can predict possible side effects and repercussions of your therapy may help you prepare for and decrease the likelihood of getting severe side effects from your treatment.
Indeed, the first step in properly treating cancer-related tiredness is to discover what causes it. There are a variety of causes for tiredness in cancer patients, including anemia, medication side effects, and radiotherapy. By identifying the underlying reason for your malaise, your doctor will be able to prescribe a more targeted treatment plan.
