Energy Drinks: To drink or not to drink? That is the question . . .
Posted November 17th, 2006 at 7:00 AM by Jonathan Faccone
Section: Nutrition, Hydration, Health & Fitness
Energy drinks are quickly becoming our favorite weapon for dealing with our fast-paced and stressful lives. They are convenient, work well and can even taste great. As a matter of fact, Red Bull and other energy drinks have become a true savior for those among us who dislike the taste of coffee, but who also could use that extra boost from caffeine. With all of the “natural” ingredients that the energy drink companies have added to their beverages - won’t we gain energy and become healthier at the same time? Unfortunately . . . (Brace Yourself!) . . . the answer is . . . NO!
Suzanne Farrell, spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association, believes that there is no substantial evidence proving that the ingredients in energy drinks actually do what the manufacturers advertise them to do. In addition, the caffeine and sugar intakes from these products can be detrimental to your health. According to WebMD:
[One] cup (8 ounces) of strong coffee has about 125-150 milligrams of caffeine and a 12-ounce can of ordinary cola has 35-38 milligrams, an 8.3-ounce can of Cocaine energy drink contains 280 milligrams. In general, caffeine consumption should be limited to about 200-300 milligrams per day.
Therefore, drinking just one “Cocaine” energy drink puts you at that daily consumption limit; explaining why there has been a recent increase in caffeine overdoses and other caffeine-related emergency room visits. 
This has been especially true for college students and people in their 20’s who have embraced energy drinks with unrelenting vigor; putting themselves in danger by using (and often “over-using”) them for all-night study binges and/or combining them with their vodka to stay more awake at parties.
These energy drinks provide “super-doses” of caffeine that can lead to significant dehydration and are therefore especially dangerous for athletes. According to Cynthia Sass, a board-certified specialist in sports nutrition, fitness enthusiasts should be extremely cautious:
If you take an energy drink before exercise, it could increase your blood pressure, over stimulate your heart or nervous system; resulting in a number of potential side effects on your body.
Yesterday, TFS hesitantly posted an article to inform you about caffeine’s potential endurance benefits. However, it is clear in that article and in this one that caffeine abuse poses very dangerous and severe risks for even the most sedentary individuals. These risks are significantly intensified for runners, cyclists and other competitive athletes.
Another issue is that there has been limited to no studies on the short and/or long-term effects of the huge-doses of taurine, ginseng and guarana that are so common to energy drinks. Even less research has been done on how these ingredients interact with one another.
Instead of quickly gulping down an energy drink at the first signs of fatigue, you need to really step back and take a look at the larger picture to discover why you are lacking energy. Are you sleeping enough? Have you been eating properly and regularly (moderate meals every few hours)? Drinking enough water? Spending enough time on stress-relieving activities like exercise, meditation, etc? If the answer is no to one or more of these questions, then you have probably identified the fundamental reasons for why you feel so lethargic. These are all controllable issues and ones that, if corrected, will likely provide you with a natural solution to your fatigue without the negative consequences of energy drinks.
What’s the bottom line? Nutritious meals, a good night’s rest, plenty of water and regular exercise will all go a lot further than energy drinks in helping to boost your performance. Maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle will also leave you looking and feeling your best; ready to conquer whatever challenges come your way.
Sources: [WebMD], [Inteli-Health], [CNN], [Brown University]
***Note: We encourage EVERYONE to see a doctor before altering their diet, taking a supplement and/or performing athletic, fitness or other strenuous physical activity. It is your responsibility to evaluate the accuracy, completeness and usefulness of any information, instruction, opinion or advice contained in the content. Please also see our complete disclaimer.***
Tags: amp, blood pressure, caffeine, cocaine, coffee, dehydration, energy drinks, energy enhancing, fatigue, ginseng, guarana, heart, hydration, irregular heartbeat, monster, red bull, rockstar, sleep, sobe, stimulant, tab, taurine, tired
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The Final Sprint
Rhino Two Horns is coming to the USA very soon.
Rhino Two Horns Inc. would like to mention some of the areas which you may not have realized about Rhino Two Horns.
Unlike other energy drinks, Rhino Two Horns is not a stimulant. Rhino Two Horns does not contain caffeine, preservatives, artificial sweeteners or any other artificial products. Rhino Two horns is all natural and its energy is derived from inter-cellular infusion of a blend of natural salts, potassium, fructose and all natural flavors and colors. We therefore stand by our claim to be both all natural and an energy drink.
You will find that many energy drink formulas have products which may be considered harmful or may need to have warning labels placed on them. Red Bull specifically states:
“Red Bull® Energy Drink is labeled with a recommended maximum daily intake of two 250ml cans daily”
Rhino Two Horns makes none of these claims as you may drink as much of the product at any time.
Red Bull also states: “Red Bull is an energy drink. It has not been formulated to deliver re-hydration”.
Rhino Two Horns stands by its claim that is an energy drink that rehydrates as well and it is great for kids.
For more information, email us at info@rhino2horns.com
November 17th, 2006 at 7:33 pmI drink a health product called Zija. It is all natural–made from the moringa tree that grows in Africa and the tropics.
Rather than bombard your body with drugs like caffeine, it provides a broad spectrum of vitamins and other nutrients, including all the essential amino acids.
It is sweetened with pure cane sugar so it tastes pretty good.
This is getting your energy naturally through balanced nutrition and lifestyle rather than artificially through drugs. Caffein is a drug.
-Mike
November 17th, 2006 at 10:56 pmI finally found the drink and more info on it here Cocaine Energy Drink
November 26th, 2006 at 12:23 pm