Energy drinks are one of the more popular canned drinks out on the market these days, fueling plenty of activities and studies, usually with the help of a generous serving of caffeine in each can.
But what exactly happens when you remove the caffeine in your energy drinks?
Consuming energy drinks without caffeine may be a better choice, especially if you’re caffeine-sensitive. There are different energy drinks that can complete your day without caffeine. Energy drinks without caffeine would prevent you from developing caffeine dependence and other caffeine-related side effects like caffeine crash.
One of the best caffeine-free energy drinks you can try is Organic Zinger, a plant-based energy drink made with natural ginger, lime, and turmeric juices for a gentle rejuvenating boost. Other note-worthy caffeine-free drinks include Xtend, Synapse Natural, and Sqwincher Sqweeze.
If you’re still skeptical of how energy drinks work without caffeine, read on as I discuss the different energy drinks without caffeine.
What Are Energy Drinks?
Energy drinks are beverages that give you a boost in energy to get through your daily activities. Generally, energy drinks are marketed to increase your energy levels and improve your alertness and are known to have a significant amount of caffeine.
Having a sip of energy drink can give you a quick burst of energy to finish your work, reducing your body fatigue on top of providing the energy you need for physical activities.
Due to its demand, there are a wide variety of energy drinks available in the market. For example, there are energy drinks suitable for you if you have a sensitive stomach, energy drinks with no sugar, and even those that are budget-friendly.
What are the Common Ingredients of Energy Drinks?
While energy drinks may differ in their contents, depending on the brand, some of the common ingredients would be caffeine, sugar, and essential amino acids. It’s the cornerstone of every energy drink in the market. But, what exactly does it give your body?
Caffeine
Caffeine is a natural brain stimulant, which blocks adenosine from entering your brain. That’s the reason why you feel alive and bursting with energy as you get a sip of your energy drink. It improves your overall body functions and productivity, making caffeine one of the primary ingredients in energy drinks that provide you with energy.
However, most energy drinks come with an average of 100mg to 300mg of caffeine level, which is pretty high, and it can create serious trouble in your health. According to the Food and Drug Authority (FDA), the recommended caffeine limit per day is 400mg, going beyond it can cause:
- Anxiety
- Body Fatigue
- Rapid heart rate
- Insomnia
- Frequent Urination and Urgency
- Addiction or dependence
- Digestive issues
- Muscle breakdown
- High blood pressure
If you want to prevent these side effects, it’s best to choose an energy drink with very little or no caffeine. Caffeine-containing energy drinks in the 50-100 milligram range are my personal recommendation. It’s the perfect dose to give you the energy boost you need.
Sugar
Sugar is another common ingredient in a classic energy drink. Similar to caffeine, sugar helps you boost your energy and alertness for a specific amount of time. Besides that, it’s also noted to be a mood booster as well.
Note that the AHA suggested the daily sugar intake for both men and women. It’s the consumption that you need to follow to avoid sugar crashes and health issues. The daily sugar consumption for women is 25g of sugar, while men should stay on the 36g sugar limit.
Sugar can be beneficial in increasing your energy levels. However, excessive consumption exceeding the suggested limits can lead to serious health problems like:
- Aging Skin
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Obesity
- Sugar Crash
- Weight gain
Check this video out to understand further on the effects of sugar in your body:
That said, if you prefer to do without sugar, there are energy drinks without sugar, which won’t put a dent in your diet plan on top of assisting you in the regulation of your health.
Amino Acids
Amino acids play an important role in assisting your body. It gives you a generous amount of energy that you need to survive for the day. It’s a good addition to your energy drinks.
The primary role of amino acids is to sustain your body with proteins. It’s essential in maintaining the proper and regular functions of your body. It helps you in repairing your muscles and improves health and overall well-being.
The most common amino acids that you can get in a regular energy drink are taurine and BCCAs. It sustains essential nutrients in your body. It assists you in improving your muscle growth, enhancing your athletic performance, and minimizing your body fatigue.
Do Energy Drinks Give You The Same Effects Without Caffeine?
Even without caffeine, energy drinks can still work, giving you the energy boost that’s expected out of an energy drink without the side effects and jitteriness from caffeine. Energy drinks without caffeine can still provide the boost that your body needs, and it all lies with the ingredients and blend for the drink.
As mentioned previously, going over the FDA-recommended limit of 400mg of caffeine can be dangerous to your health.
Considering the side effects that caffeine can cause, caffeine-free energy drinks are the best option. This would then lead to the question: what are the ingredients that can substitute caffeine?
What are the Contents of Caffeine-Free Energy Drinks?
Caffeine-free energy drinks can still work because of their amazing contents. Here are the essential ingredients that you can get from caffeine-free energy drinks:
Amino Acids
Caffeine-free energy drinks are packed with amino acids. like BCAAs and taurine. These essential ingredients can improve your physical strength and endurance. It helps your muscle grow and recover faster.
The taurine that you get in the energy drinks is beneficial in maintaining your body’s overall wellness. It is good for your metabolism and another way to protect your body.
Taurine
Taurine is a natural-occurring amino acid in your body. It’s the building blocks of proteins that help your body grow and repair tissues. It regulates the calcium levels in your body and balances your bile salts. It also helps you balance the electrolytes in your body and support your nervous system.
Other benefits of taurine include:
- Improve overall immune and central nervous system
- Regulate the minerals within your body
- Regulate antioxidants function
BCCAs
BCCAs are part of the essential amino acids that play an important role in your body. It assists in building your muscles and also minimizes your muscle soreness. It’s beneficial in reducing your body fatigue and preventing muscle breakdown, which helps your muscles and body function properly.
B Vitamins
B-vitamins are a cornerstone of your health. It helps your body convert the food that you eat into energy. It also handles your body’s metabolism. Here is a breakdown of what B-vitamins can offer:
| Types of B Vitamins | Uses and Role |
| Vitamin B1 (thiamin) | Convert fats, carbohydrates, and protein into energy; maintains glucose metabolism. |
| Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) | Release energy from food; promotes eye and nerve health; boosts absorption of minerals and vitamins |
| Vitamin B3 (niacin) | Helps the body release energy; keeps the skin healthy. |
| Vitamin B9 (folate) | Promotes cell growth and DNA formation; works with other vitamins to create new proteins |
| Vitamin B6 | Store energy from protein and carbohydrates; formation of red blood cells |
| Vitamin B12 | Release energy from food; forms red blood cells; keeps the nervous system healthy |
Do Caffeine-Free Energy Drinks Work?
Caffeine-free energy drinks are good for your health, and it surely gives you the boost that your body needs. Like other caffeinated drinks, it also gives you the energy burst you needed to survive the day. It keeps you alert and helps you with your daily chores. It’s one of the must-try drinks if you don’t want to experience caffeine crashes.
Caffeine-free energy drinks can enhance your endurance and boost your muscle growth and endurance. It gives the same power as regular energy drinks.
Personally, while I go for energy drinks with some caffeine, I prefer those with only 50mg to 100mg of caffeine, which I find is the perfect amount—giving me the boost without any side effects.
Energy Drinks Without Caffeine
Energy drinks that do not have any caffeine work similarly to energy drinks with caffeine. The only difference is how these energy drinks will impact your health. With the adverse effect of caffeine in your body, you are fortunate to have caffeine-free energy drinks.
Here are the drinks that you can try:
Organic Ginger Zinger
Organic Zinger energy drink is one of the best natural energy drinks available on the market. It’s made of apple juice and ginger that truly provide you with an intense energy build-up. It’s a healthy treat that only costs about $1.50 per serving. It serves you with the right amount of energy that you needed to survive for the day.
If you prefer a more natural energy booster, Organic Zinger energy drink is definitely for you as it’s made out of natural ingredients.
Xtend Energy Drink
Xtend Energy Drink is known for improving your muscle recovery and growth and is a caffeine-free drink that comes with an amazing blend of essential vitamins and amino acids. It’s a good drink that can give you the boost you need to survive the day.
Xtend energy drink comes in 16 fl. oz servings with a fruity flavor that would give you excitement in every sip.
Synapse Natural
Synapse natural energy drink is one of the healthiest energy drinks that will not give any jitteriness or crash. You can feel the effect of Synapse natural in your first minutes. It gives you the boost that can enhance your focus, mental performance, and memory. It’s low-calorie, caffeine-free, and definitely nutritious.
Synapse energy drink is deliciously made and worth the try. Its blend comes with 10 natural ingredients that will enhance your physical and mental performance.
REIZE (10 out of 10)
While caffeine-free energy drinks may seem appealing if you’re caffeine sensitive, REIZE is a good option if you don’t mind having a small amount of caffeine in exchange for a greater energy boost.
REIZE is a powdered energy drink that you can have whenever and wherever. It contains an amazing blend of taurine, ginseng, and B-vitamins, which gives you the burst of energy you need for the day.
REIZE only contains 50mg of caffeine and 11 calories. This makes it a healthy option fitting for your diet, even if you’re health-conscious. On top of that, it’s sugar-free so you don’t have to worry about any of the side effects of sugar either.
The best thing about REIZE is that it’s convenient and affordable. One serving of REIZE only costs about $1 and you can have it shipped directly to your doorsteps.
So, try REIZE today, and experience a great energy drink, with just enough caffeine to give you a boost.