Energy Drinks - Friend or Foe
Want a good workout? Or just need a quick pick me up to get through the last few afternoon hours before its time to go home from work? Grab a super refreshing, delicious, energy drink with high amounts of caffeine and sugar and you can take on the world! Think again…… there will be consequences.
Most energy drinks contain caffeine, sugar or artificial sweeteners, guarana, ginseng, B vitamins and taurine. And don’t let the healthy sounding ingredients fool you. Energy drinks can contain as much as 300 mg of caffeine per serving. An average cup of coffee contains 95 mg.
While consuming excessive amounts of coffee is not good for you either, at least quality coffee beans (seeds really) are a natural, whole food, that contain antioxidants and can actually act as an expectorant that can break up mucous, as well as many other benefits.
Energy drinks also contain high amounts of sugar, sometimes as high as 62 grams per 16 ounces. An average 16-ounce soda contains 39 grams of sugar. Caffeine and sugar can provide a short term burst of energy, but will be followed by a blood sugar crash which usually makes you feel more tired than you did before you drank the energy drink.
Not to mention, caffeine activates your adrenals glands into fight and flight mode, which causes cortisol to be secreted. We know that cortisol plays an essential role in metabolism, blood pressure control, inflammation and circadian rhythm. Too much cortisol however, is a driver of inflammation, weight gain (particularly around the belly area), and acne, the opposite of what we want.
Healthier options for energy would be to drink quality water out of a glass or stainless steel bottle. Put a pinch of sea salt in your water to help restore minerals to your body. This will energize you! Sitting in front of computer screens, tablets, Smart TV’s and cells phones robs your body of minerals. Sea salt can help to restore precious minerals to your body, feeding your hormones really; because every endocrine organ in your body needs a different mineral. Adding a squeeze or lemon or lime also adds electrolytes and antioxidants, plus makes your water taste great!
Bone broth is another option to help feed your hormones/endocrine organs, give them the nutrients they need to operate optimally and feel energized. Bone broth is not difficult to make and has been done for hundreds if not
thousands of years, not just for colds and flu, but also to build bones, muscles, stamina and vitality. Bone broth contains protein, minerals, amino acids, collagen and is hydrophilic, which means it attracts to water and helps the body to stay hydrated. Nutrients in bone broth are easy to absorb in a liquid state, very little digestion required.
So next time you want a quick fix and go for the energy drink, think twice and reach for a healthier option to support your health and wellness goals!
- Felicia Pasquale 2/14/2023