Top Choice: REIZE Energy!
Whether you’re shooting hoops with your buddies or you aspire to be the next MJ, basketball is one of the most popular sports in the world.
But all that running and sweating can take their toll on you and leave you feeling fatigued. Optimal nutrition is as important as proper training.
It’s worth considering anything that will give you an edge on the court, which is probably exactly why you’re here. So, if you’re looking for the best energy drinks for basketball, you’re in the right place.
Let’s get started…
Why should you drink energy drinks when playing basketball?
Energy drinks are a staple in the sports community and there are good reasons for that. One reason is that it often contains a lot of carbohydrates, a source of energy when you’re running up and down the court.
Basketball is a sport that combines cardiovascular and explosive strength exercises because players will run around the court, jump and quickly change directions.
This can tire out the players very fast and therefore, it’s difficult to keep going for long periods of time without subbing out for a rest on the bench.
That said, players to energy drinks as a source of caffeine which is believed to enhance physical and mental performance.
As a fair warning, go easy on caffeine as too much intake may result in adverse effects!
Is it bad to drink energy drinks before playing basketball?
Actually, it depends.
Drinking energy drinks before a workout has been linked to heart disease.
Whether or not it’s a good idea to drink energy drinks before hooping depends on your goals.
For example, if your goal is to lose weight then I would not recommend drinking energy drinks that are high in sugar before playing ball as they will add to your carbohydrate intake.
However, if your goal is to improve performance and build muscle then I would say an energy drink is the way to go.
This study found that caffeine consumption had an immensely positive impact on players’ stats. The only downside was some disruption to their sleep.
Yet another study found that caffeinated energy drinks improved jump performance.
If you do decide to have an energy drink before a game, have it about 45 minutes before tipoff.
This is because while you might feel more energetic within a few minutes of drinking energy drinks, it takes about 45 minutes for the energy drink to reach maximum effect.
Personally, I think it’s a good idea to choose an energy drink that is low in caffeine before a game for a couple of reasons.
Firstly, I don’t like the idea of sprinting to get back to play D with a boatload of caffeine pulsing through my veins. Call me paranoid, but that doesn’t feel like a smart or safe recipe.
Secondly, I feel like energy drinks that contain more than 100mg of caffeine are too powerful and usually leave me unable to think straight. They also often make me feel flushed, nauseous, and dehydrated – none of which is ideal in the middle of a game.
Is Gatorade better than water?
Water is better than Gatorade for sustaining energy levels when playing basketball.
There’s no denying Gatorade can help with hydration. However, it does come with active ingredients which may affect your performance while playing basketball.
Now:
Don’t get me wrong here…
You can still consume Gatorade (when you need it) to aid in your basketball performance.
In my opinion, water is the best thirst quencher and energy-boosting beverage that you can have to ensure you’re highly energized for your basketball game.
Still, go for something that works well in terms of providing you with an energy boost!
Do NBA players drink energy drinks?
From research, I can tell you that NBA players do drink energy drinks. In fact, some are obsessed with them.
There have even been some NBA stars that have launched their own brand of energy drinks such as Mike Miller.
Even LeBron James has been known to drink the occasional energy drink.
This is because the NBA schedule can be grueling on the players and caffeine can really help to function at your best when you might otherwise be a little sluggish.
Not to mention that on a weekly basis, they play 3 to 5 games on top of their practice sessions.
Pro basketballers aren’t the only professional sportspeople to drink energy drinks though. Even the world’s best tennis players sometimes drink them too.
What should you drink before a basketball game?
This is going to depend on your current level of fitness, what your goals are and how different ingredients affect you.
I think it’s best to talk to your doctor or health professional before making any significant changes to your diet.
Having said that, pre-game is probably a pretty good time to consider drinking something that contains a small to moderate amount of caffeine, as well as enough water to make sure that you’re properly hydrated.
During a game, I usually recommend water or sports drinks.
Post-game I think it’s probably good to drink more water, sports drinks, maybe some kind of muscle-recovery shake, and also consider an energy drink if you feel you need a pick-me-up.
What to Look for in an Energy Drink
There are 3 things that are important when you are looking for which energy drink would best suit you when playing basketball, namely; caffeine, sugar, and of course, affordability.
Caffeine
Caffeine is what is going to keep your mind alert throughout the entire day. And with the physical and emotional exhaustion that basketball players face daily, it’s no wonder they drink a lot of caffeine.
In my opinion, 50mg to 100mg of caffeine per serving is ideal and safe if you’re playing basketball.
Some really strong energy drinks contain 300mg of caffeine per can. That’s way more than I think you should be having before a game. Your goal is to be focused and functioning at your best, not so wired that you can see sounds.
You should be careful when you consume too much caffeine. This is because caffeine tolerance is different for everyone.
You may be able to consume a lot of caffeine in one day but the same might not be true for someone who doesn’t have such a high tolerance.
It’s important to monitor yourself and know how much caffeine is too much.
As such, always read the label to understand how much caffeine you’re putting into your body.
Sugar
Sugar content is really something to keep an eye on when you are looking at an energy drink.
A little bit of sugar is essential in our bodies for energy and growth but too much could result in problems such as diabetes and heart disease.
According to the American Heart Association, the amount of sugar that is recommended is:
- For women, it would be 100 calories a day or about 6 teaspoons of sugar.
- For men, it’s 150 calories a day or about 9 teaspoons of sugar.
Too much sugar all at once can result in a sugar crash 1 to 2 hours after drinking. And let’s face it, no one wants a sugar crash.
Price
In terms of price, energy drinks can get pretty pricy.
Everyone likes a good deal, especially if you don’t need to sacrifice quality to get something for an affordable price.
There are a lot of brands that cost $4 or even more per can, but you really don’t need to pay so much for good quality energy drinks if you know where to look.
My personal favorite is REIZE, which ships right to your door for around $1 per drink.
What happens if you drink too many energy drinks?
While it can be good to drink energy drinks when playing basketball, it’s important to exercise control over how much you drink.
Too little and you are unable to get the feeling of alertness and the energy that an energy drink can provide.
Too much could lead to multiple health problems such as:
- increased anxiety
- insomnia
- diabetes
- energy drink addiction
- vomiting
- high blood pressure
As such, I suggest being aware of how many energy drinks are necessary for your lifestyle each day and sticking to whatever works for you.
Watch the video below to learn more about the side effects of caffeine!
Best Energy Drinks for Basketball Players
I recommend Celsius, Red Bull, Raze, and my favorite REIZE Energy for energy drinks to consume when playing basketball.
Be sure to consume these beverages in moderation to reap the maximum benefits that can help you level up your basketball performance.
Let me discuss each of them briefly below!
Celsius Energy
Celsius Energy drinks are good for high-intensity workouts containing 200 to 300mg of caffeine per can.
Personally, that’s more caffeine than I usually prefer, but it might work for you, so perhaps give it a try and see if you like it.
Celsius is also sugar-free, which is nice. It’s a good idea if you’re going for something with more caffeine and less sugar.
Red Bull Energy
Red Bull is a common energy drink for all athletes and there is a good reason.
This is because Red Bull:
- has a good combination of sugar and caffeine
- not too expensive
- has a sugar-free version
Personally, 27g of sugar is more than I want to put in my body at any one time, but the caffeine content is sensible and the brand is available literally everywhere you go.
For a brief, here’s a quick rundown of what a can of Red Bull contains.
| Ingredients | Amount |
| Caffeine | 80 mg |
| Sugar | 27 g |
| Glucuronolactone | 600 mg |
| Niacin (Vitamin B3) | 5.1 µg |
| Pantothenic acid (Vitamin B5) | 5.1 µg |
| Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6) | 5 mg |
| Cobalamin (Vitamin B12) | 5.1 µg |
Raze Energy
Another good energy drink is Raze, which also contains zero sugar but actually contains 300mg of caffeine.
Once again, an energy drink that is good if you like more caffeine in your diet or if you can tolerate it.
However, it is more expensive than Celsius and Red costing around $2.20 for a can of 16 fl. oz excluding shipping fees.
It’s great if the average amount of caffeine just doesn’t work for you and you need something stronger. Though I’d be careful about how much you drink though.
REIZE (10 out of 10)
REIZE Energy is my best recommendation for energy drinks to consume for your basketball game.
A serving of REIZE Energy contains 50mg of caffeine, 11 calories, taurine, ginseng, and B vitamins. Also, it is sugar-free!
I like that it contains low caffeine that still guarantees a quick boost that’s enough to sustain your game of basketball.
This is a refreshing energy drink that tastes really good and you can get it shipped to your home for as low as $1 per drink.
And the best part?
REIZE Energy is versatile and portable. You can mix it with your favorite soda, tea, soft drinks, or just water. You can bring the packet anywhere and have your energy drink refreshment whenever you like!
Try REIZE today and you might also find that it’s the best energy drink for basketball too.