You may have slept all day and are now upset about all the work that has piled up. You wonder how many more nights it would take to make up for it.
That should not be a problem for you, in my opinion. You have energy drinks to keep you awake all night, allowing you to focus completely on completing your pending tasks before the deadline.
Energy drinks are advertised to improve performance and increase energy levels. Sugar, caffeine, guarana, taurine, ginseng, and other proprietary components are commonly found in these drinks.
Sugar alone plays a significant role in energy drinks, supplying extra energy to our bodies, preserving flavour, adding a taste, and ensuring optimum shelf life.
Several energy drinks, including Red Bull and Monster, contain a significant amount of sugar.
One of the reasons you are addicted to the taste of your favourite energy drinks is the presence of sugar.
Let’s dig deeper!
What Are Energy Drinks?
Energy drinks contain substances designed to improve physical and mental performance.
People consume energy drinks for a variety of reasons. One of the most well-known benefits is to improve brain function in order to increase mental attentiveness.
Almost all energy drinks contain sugar and caffeine in order to promote brain activity, alertness, and attention.
Popular energy drink brands include Red Bull, 5-Hour Energy, Monster, Rockstar, NOS, and Full Throttle. However, there are some concerns concerning the cardiovascular effects of energy drinks.
According to one study, frequent consumption of energy drinks has been linked to a number of heart problems that have necessitated emergency room visits.
Furthermore, multiple studies have demonstrated that energy drinks can cause the following:
- increased in blood pressure level
- hinder the function of blood vessels
- seizures and strokes
- increased risk of alcohol consumption in future
- gastrointestinal upset
Some Information About Sugar
Sugar is a carbohydrate made up of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen molecules. Carbohydrates, like proteins and fats, are necessary for a healthy diet.
Carbohydrates are digested and broken down into glucose, which is used by the majority of the body’s tissues as an energy source.
Glucose is the preferred energy source for red blood cells, the central nervous system, and the brain.
Sugars are caloric, sweet-tasting molecules present in a variety of foods such as fruits and vegetables, honey, and human and dairy milk. It varies in sweetness intensity, ranging from the mild sweetness of lactose to fructose, the sweetest naturally occurring sugar.
Added Sugar
When discussing sugar, doctors rarely address the sort of sugar found naturally in these drinks. They’re more concerned with “added sugar,” which refers to any calorie-containing sweetener added to food during preparation, whether at home or on the factory floor.
Added sugars have no nutrients but are high in calories, which can lead to weight gain or obesity. This can have a negative impact on heart health.
Limit your intake of beverages with high sugar content. A 12-ounce can of a typical energy drink has ten teaspoons of sugar, or 160 calories, and has little nutritional value.
Excessive consumption of added sugars can lead to a few health issues and causes:
- cardiovascular diseases
- obesity
- type 2 diabetes
- liver disease
- disruption in insulin function
- dental cavities
How is Sugar Used in Energy Drinks?
Many energy drinks contain sugar, either added or natural. If it was not present, drinks would not taste as good as they do now.
Pre-mixed powders are frequently manufactured with glucose syrup, which is produced by hydrolyzing starch. Because it is such a concentrated sugar, just a small amount is required to get the desired sweetness. Because it is also a humectant, these pre-mixed powders retain their freshness for an extended period of time.
Glucose syrup is also included in these powders due to its dissolving qualities. Because of its lower molecule size, it dissolves faster and with less agitation when liquids are added.
Sugar is most commonly used by Rockstar and Red Bull. A 16 oz can of Rockstar has 63mg of sugar, whereas a 16 oz. can of Rockstar has 51mg of sugar.
This particular research suggests that women limit their sugar intake to 24 grams per day, while men limit their sugar intake to 36 grams per day.
Let’s have a look at the sugar level of some well-known energy drinks.
| Energy Drinks | Sugar Content | Considered |
| Red Bull | 27g | High |
| Monster | 54g | High |
| Rockstar | 24g | High |
| Bawls | 5g | Low |
| Brein Fuel | 30g | High |
| Guru | 25g | High |
Side Effects of Sugar Consumption
Obesity and type 2 diabetes are on the rise in the United States, which is largely due to excessive sugar consumption. As much as we like introducing sugar into our diets, we frequently overlook the harm we are causing ourselves.
This paper recommends a maximum daily sugar intake of six teaspoons. Nonetheless, research shows that Americans consume more than treble that amount—this may be unknowingly due to the addition of sugar to meals and beverages.
Excessive consumption of sugar brings the following risks.
Fat Organs
A high-sugar diet, as well as fructose, a frequent sugar substitute, causes your liver to retain fat, resulting in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Prior to 1980, this disorder was uncommon.
As a result, it is vital to check the labels on beverages and select those with little or no fructose.
Heart Disease
Chronically higher insulin levels cause the muscle cells around each blood vessel in your arteries to mature quicker than usual, resulting in high blood pressure.
In the worst-case situation, high blood pressure might result in a stroke or a permanent cardiac issue.
Sugar Addiction
Sugar triggers the release of chemicals known as opioids and dopamine, which activate the pleasure region of the brain. Tolerance develops fast, demanding higher doses.
Reduce your sugar consumption and give your taste receptors at least a week to adjust. Drink sugar-free beverages to get over the hump.
High Cholesterol Level
According to current research, people who drink the most added sugars had the greatest increase in dangerous cholesterol levels and the lowest levels of beneficial cholesterol.
Eating protein-rich eggs for breakfast can help you prevent sugar cravings.
Pros and Cons of Sugary Energy Drinks
Sugar is a difficult substance to resist and I am concerned about its daily impact and adhere to its daily limit. Despite the fact that sugar has certain benefits, its problems are insurmountable.
The following are the benefits of sugary energy drinks:
The followings are the drawbacks of sugary energy drinks:
- sugar rush
- health risks
- promotes leptin resistance
- sugar addiction
Energy Drinks With Sugar
Most energy drinks include variable levels of sugar. Sucralose, ace K, and aspartame are a few calorie-free artificial sweeteners that contribute to the extreme sweetness of energy drinks.
Even though sugar-free versions of many of your favorite sugar-containing energy drinks are available, customers tend to ignore them due to the enhanced sweet taste they get from conventional energy drinks. Sugar’s power remains unrivalled.
Have you ever wondered what happens to your body when you consume too much sugar?
Among the sugary energy drinks, some are as follows.
Red Bull
If you need a pick-me-up during the day, Red Bull is an excellent choice.
It contains 80 milligrams of caffeine, which is about equivalent to one cup of coffee. It is one of the most popular drinks, therefore it is understandable why so many people prefer it.
Drinking Red Bull on a regular basis may not be the ideal choice because the basic form has a lot of sugar, which equals a lot of calories.
Red Bull has 27 grams of sugar, which is slightly more than half of this particular study’s sugar limit of 50 grams. It has also been related to sugar crashes, and if used excessively, it can contribute to acne and weight gain.
For healthy options, look into Red Bull’s sugar-free version or other energy drinks.
Monster Energy Drink
Monster energy drinks can be found anywhere. They can be found on the internet, in convenience stores, and even in advertisements.
Given how well-known Monster Energy is, this comes as no surprise. It’s been around for a while, and we can expect it to last a little longer.
If you don’t consume coffee or other caffeinated beverages, Monster is a great way to get your sugar fix.
Monster Energy contains 54g of sugar.
This research advises a daily sugar limit of 25 grams (about six teaspoons) for women and 36 grams (about nine teaspoons) for men.
In comparison to Monster’s 54g, it clearly has twice the daily sugar intake of either sex.
A daily dose of Monster Energy can easily impose the risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, liver disorders, and, in the worst-case scenario, heart difficulties, which can possibly lead to stroke and death.
Rockstar Energy Drink
Rockstar has been in the energy drink business since 2001. After two decades of experience, they have polished their formula and made a great drink.
It provides a great energy boost and has a wonderful taste, but have you considered the sugar content and how it can affect you?
Rockstar has 24 grams of sugar per 16 fl oz.
While the drink is not sugar-free, it also lacks flavour. It was the perfect combination of sugar and other ingredients for masking the taste. But this study recommends limiting your daily sugar intake to less than 30 grams.
Excess sugar and caffeine, can lead to a plethora of health problems, including diabetes and numerous cardiac difficulties.
Other Notable Mentions
However, if you are looking for a healthy alternative to sugary energy drinks then you can go for REIZE.
REIZE Energy (My Favourite)
REIZE is sugar-free, which is a big advantage in a market dominated by large brands with high sugar content, such as Red Bull and Rockstar.
It comes in 4g powdered sachets that can be blended smooth, fizzy, or even brewed hot wherever you are.
REIZE contains less caffeine (50mg) than other more potent energy drinks, which is an acceptable amount when compared to other products. The fact that it contains no added sugar and only 11 calories is an extra bonus.
It also contains nutrients like taurine, ginseng, and B vitamins to help you perform better. This drink includes almost everything you might want to stay fit and energetic it comes for $1 only and you can get it shipped right at your doorstep.
Bottom Line
You’ve probably received complaints about death, kidney failure, and diabetes, but those are only conceivable if you drink too many energy drinks.
This is less of an issue with sugar-free and low-calorie drinks, but certain energy drinks can include up to 100 calories and 25 grams of sugar, which is quite a lot.
Sugars, plain sugars, can stimulate fat cell development and growth tremendously. If you have recently acquired a lot of weight, you should reconsider your sugary drink usage.
Sugar in energy drinks lends a sweet, tenderizing flavour to drinks that may taste good but expose your body to hazards.
If you are too worried you can try REIZE which includes zero sugar with only 50mg of caffeine and comprises a few other necessary elements that can help your health and out of hazards.