There are many brands and types of energy drinks available in the market today but most of them usually contain high levels of caffeine, sugar, and other additives, as well as natural stimulants such as guarana, taurine, and vitamins, among other things.
Energy drinks are often consumed by students to gain an additional burst of energy, and the stimulants they contain may improve alertness, attentiveness, and energy levels. However, these stimulants and other chemicals included in energy drinks can also raise blood pressure and heart rate which can have negative impacts on your body.
If your goal is to know more about the ingredients, benefits, and side effects of energy drinks, this article will have all those information and more.
Let’s begin.
What are Energy Drinks Made Up Of?
Each energy drinks are unique and you won’t find any two in the market that is exactly the same. Some energy drink manufacturers include natural ingredients, others add the latest discovered stimulants, but a common energy drink usually contain the following components as part of its formula:
- Carbonated water
- Around 40 g of sugar (from sucrose and/or glucose)
- Artificial sweeteners (Sucralose, Ace-K, etc.)
- Caffeine (160 mg or more)
- Additional herbal stimulants
- The root extract of Panax Ginseng
- L-carnitine
- L-tartrate
- Guarana seed extract
- B vitamins
Apart from those in the list, most energy drinks also contain electrolytes and BCAAs that aid in muscle development and recovery. So there you have it, these are the components that make up a normal energy drink.
Caffeine in Energy Drinks
There are indeed many energy drinks that contain high levels of caffeine and these energy drinks, which are often mixed with enormous amounts of sugar, may pose severe health dangers. Some studies show there is a growing number of harmful effects of high concentration and caffeine and sugar consumption.
Nevertheless, up to 400 mg of caffeine per day and not more than 200 mg in a single dosage are the recommended daily caffeine intake limits as suggested by the FDA. Also, keep in mind that caffeine consumption must be kept under control, or altogether avoid, for children and teenagers.
In spite of the fact that there are 300mg of caffeine energy drinks on the market, I would not recommend purchasing them. Consuming them all at once might be harmful to your health.
Thus, the toxicities associated with excessive use of these popular energy beverages include headaches, sleeplessness, and anxiety, as well as tremors in the muscles and heart palpitations, to mention a few symptoms.
Fortunately, there are healthier options of energy drinks that may suit your preference. In fact, there are even energy drinks that don’t contain caffeine at all, but still, the effectiveness is significant.
Energy Drinks with Less Caffeine
If you’re scared about trying those highly caffeinated energy drinks, go and check out these brands for lesser but moderate content of caffeine!
| BRANDS | CAFFEINE |
| C4 Energy | 200 mg |
| NOS Energy | 160 mg |
| Red Bull | 80 mg |
C4 Energy
Each 16 oz can of C4 Energy has 200 mg of caffeine, but it also has a variant in a 12 oz can which only contains 150 mg.
C4 Energy has extra chemicals that are intended to improve performance and muscular endurance, making it an energy drink that is better suited to people who are active and health-conscious.
NOS Energy
Through the years, NOS Energy has evolved, and it’s now being manufactured by Monster Energy, a bigger energy drink brand.
NOS Turbo, the zero-sugar variant of this brand, packs an astounding 300 mg of caffeine per 16 oz can, making it one of the most powerful caffeine products on the market. But I recommend you try the regular NOS which has 160 milligrams of caffeine in the same 16-ounce can.
Red Bull
The reason Red Bull is a well-known brand of energy drink is not just because it is one of the oldest but because it is effective, it tastes great and it contains a significant amount of nutrients.
Considering that a can of Red Bull is relatively smaller than the majority of other energy drinks, the amount of caffeine reflects this. A single 8 oz can (including Red Bull Sugarfree) has 80 mg of caffeine.
Sugars in Energy Drinks
Generally, the amount of sugar in energy drinks varies from 21 grams to 34 grams per 8-ounce serving. These sugars come in many forms, including sucrose, glucose, and high fructose corn syrup is the most common.
Therefore, some consumers who drink more than three cans of energy drink per day might be consuming 120 mg to 180 mg of sugar per day, which is four to six times the recommended daily consumption limit for sugar. Likewise, the American Heart Association recommends that women have no more than 24 grams of sugar and that men consume no more than 36 grams of sugar.
Plus, the use of added sugar does not fulfill any dietary requirements or provide any nutritional benefits. In addition, it is important to remember that teenagers who consume energy drinks may be at a higher risk for weight gain and dental complications.
Energy Drinks Without Sugars
Luckily, there are energy drinks that don’t contain sugar at all! So for those who would like to know what these brands are, here are some of them.
Monster Zero Ultra
Monster has a sugar-free variant called Monster Zero Ultra, which only has 10 calories, making it a perfect alternative for individuals who are trying to lose weight while enjoying the benefits of an energy drink.
Its low-calorie count may be attributed to the fact that Monster Zero Ultra is free of sugar, and its sweet flavor is produced by utilizing artificial sweeteners such as Ace-K and Sucralose.
Monster Zero Ultra also contains guarana, ginseng, Ginkgo Biloba, taurine, and B vitamins, all of which contribute to its benefit of increasing energy levels. For many energy drink lovers, it is one of the highly preferred since it is lighter in flavor, has all of the nutritious components, including antioxidants, while having the whole original Monster Energy mix.
Rockstar Pure Zero
Erythritol, ace-K, and sucralose are just a few of the artificial sweeteners that are utilized in Rockstar Pure Zero to provide a delicious taste without the risk of a sugar crash after consumption. Pure Zero is a sugar-free variant of Rockstar that is available in a 16-ounce can and has a total of 240 milligrams of caffeine.
Mainly, Rockstar Pure Zero has just 10 grams of calories per serving and is low in fat. Its most popular flavor, Silver Ice, contains B vitamins, Guarana, and Ginseng and retails for roughly $2 per can.
Aspire Energy
Aspire Energy Drink is a very refreshing beverage that contains an assortment of micronutrients and fresh flavors.
Even though Aspire contains just 80 mg of caffeine, it is sufficient to increase your energy levels, improve your memory, and keep you alert. It has no calories and will not contribute to your calorie intake in any way.
Alternative Energy Drinks
There are hundreds of energy drink brands out there and there may be other good alternatives that I won’t be able to cite, but I just want to introduce to you my most favorite one, REIZE energy drink. It has the perfect combination of nutrients, all in one sachet!
REIZE
In my opinion, nothing compares to REIZE, even after reviewing other brands I’ve mentioned.
REIZE, a 4g sachet full of power and nourishment, has an incredible amount of nutrients. Similarly, this sugar-free powdered energy drink has just 50 mg of caffeine and 11 calories, making it a low-calorie option.
Considering these facts, you won’t have to be bothered about the uncomfortable dangers of caffeine or sugar!
In addition to this, you will have other important vitamins and minerals such as taurine, ginseng, and the B-group of vitamins. It’s all conveniently packaged in compact packets that you can easily dissolve in water to create a refreshing beverage.
As its best feature, REIZE is available to purchase for as little as $1, and you can have your items delivered right to your home. And that guarantees an exceptional bang for your buck!
You should give REIZE a shot and discover how well this brand can beat other energy drinks with its price and effectiveness!
Other Energy Drinks
The Takeaway
Ultimately, energy drinks are advantageous for one’s health because of the nutrients contained in them. Despite the negative reputation associated with most energy drinks containing caffeine, energy beverages have undergone significant development in recent decades.
Yes, there are some brands that have high amounts of added sugar or caffeine, but hopefully, this article has shown, plenty of options that are very low in calories and contain little to no added sugar, as well as less caffeinated options.
Just keep in mind that everything, not just energy drinks, should be consumed in moderation to fully enjoy its benefits. Finally, don’t forget to consider REIZE and use it as an energy drink alternative to those that are already well-known in the industry!