Energy drinks can provide a quick boost of energy. Containing high levels of caffeine and sugar, these drinks are often a go-to energy boosting source. But, how effective are they compared to natural energy supplements? We’ll walk you through the benefits of natural energy supplementation for long-term increases in energy levels, as well as discussing how energy drinks impact the body.
Table of Contents:
- What are Energy Drinks?
- What are Natural Energy Supplements?
- Effects on the Body
- Do Energy Drinks Give You Energy?
- How Can You Receive Energy Naturally?
What are Energy Drinks?
Energy drinks are soft drinks which contain a higher level of caffeine. Higher levels of sugar may also be present in these beverages. Energy drinks also differ from sports drinks as they are not designed to replenish water and electrolytes after physical activity.
Many energy drinks are promoted as enhancing mental alertness or physical performance. It is for this reason that people turn to these drinks in order to raise their energy levels and feel alert. Under present labelling rules, any drink, which is neither tea or coffee, that presents over 150mg of caffeine per litre, must display a warning label which reads:
“High caffeine content. Not recommended for children or pregnant or breast-feeding women.”
Even with this warning in place, one of the biggest consumers of these drinks is children aged 10 - 17.
What are Natural Energy Supplements?
Natural energy supplements are vitamins and minerals which can be taken regularly to support energy levels. To further increase your energy naturally you can exercise regularly, eat a well balanced diet, and ensure you have a healthy sleep routine. Incorporating energy supplements into your routine is a way for you to maintain your energy levels without the need for a quick fix. Some of the vital vitamins for keeping energy up include:
- Vitamin D supplements
- B Vitamins supplements (B12 in particular)
- Iron supplements
- Vitamin C supplements
Effects on the Body
Ingesting anything in excess can impact the body in a variety of ways. Any side effects from food or drink can differ from person to person. One argument towards reducing the consumption of energy drinks is that they have a high level of caffeine. Caffeine is fine in moderation, but when you consume higher levels (over 400mg) health issues can start to arise. These include:
- Irregular or rapid heartbeat
- Trouble breathing
- Diarrhoea
- Fever
- Increased blood pressure
- Insomnia
Energy Drinks
Energy drinks can affect individuals differently, depending on how many you consume and the frequency in which you consume. As they contain high levels of caffeine, drinking more than one in a short time frame could lead to:
- Heart palpitations
- Insomnia
- Increased blood pressure
Currently in the UK, the age to purchase energy drinks is 16. In a 2018 paper, conducted by the Department of Health & Social Care, they found ‘more than two thirds of UK children aged 10-17 were energy drink consumers’. Symptoms this age group experienced when consuming too many energy drinks were:
- Headaches
- Sleeping problems
- Tiredness
These symptoms from overuse are the polar opposite to what traditionally attracts an audience to these drinks. Therefore, those looking for a long term increase in energy may wish to consider more natural alternatives.
Natural Energy Supplements
Natural energy supplements are additional vitamins to take alongside a healthy, well balanced diet. The effects they can have on the body depends on which supplements you take.
- Vitamin D - Vitamin D is an essential vitamin for your overall health. The role of this vitamin is to maintain normal muscle function, regulate calcium, and support your immune system. Common side effects on the body when you have absorbed too much is excess calcium in the blood. This can lead to nausea and a poor appetite.
- Iron - Iron helps red blood cells to transport oxygen around the body, this can reduce the feeling of tiredness and fatigue. When you have low levels of iron, it is hard to produce healthy blood cells leading to feeling tired. It is important to receive the correct dosage of iron, especially if you follow a vegan diet or vegetarian diet. Natural energy supplements are the quickest and easiest ways to consume these levels efficiently.
- Vitamin B12 - Vitamin B12 helps reduce the onset of fatigue and increase concentration levels. As it is famous for being a difficult vitamin to absorb, reduce your chances of B12 deficiency by introducing B12 supplements into your daily routine.
- Vitamin C - Vitamin C supports your immune system by helping to prevent and fight infections. Consuming too much vitamin C can cause side effects in the body including diarrhoea and nausea. These symptoms can differ from person to person.
Do Energy Drinks Give You Energy?
Despite their name, energy drinks do not provide you with long lasting energy. The perceived energy boost comes from the high levels of sugar and caffeine present in the drink. Once these effects have worn off, people often feel a dip in energy levels, sometimes referred to as a crash. It is this feeling which can lead to reaching for another energy drink. This constant cycle can cause energy drinks to become addictive. Supplements will not present a quick-fix solution, but over time they will balance out your energy levels more effectively.
It is recommended that pregnant women and children do not consume energy drinks. The high levels of caffeine and sugar are not healthy for these groups. Instead we recommend our pregnancy supplements and children’s supplements in their replacement.
How Can You Receive Energy Naturally?
There are many ways to naturally increase your energy levels without the help of energy drinks. Introducing energy supplements into your daily routine is one way to combat tiredness and sustain your energy levels for longer.
Our Magnesium Water provides a natural source of the magnesium and electrolytes to help your body sustain oxygenated energy production. A magnesium-rich body makes us more resilient to both mental and physical stress without the crashing comedown from high-sugar alternatives.
These help to keep you hydrated and your natural electrolytes topped up. Our electrolyte drinks contain 180mg of magnesium per can, helping to prevent electrolyte imbalance and help you feel more energised, focused, and hydrated.
We also have a range of energy-supporting vitamin oral sprays, containing essential B vitamins to help you enhance your natural energy in a fast, effective oral spray.
5 other natural ways to boost your energy are:
- Regular exercise
- Healthy eating
- Reducing stress
- Reduce caffeine and alcohol levels
- Increasing your quality of sleep
About BetterYou
BetterYou is an innovative, natural health company, specialising in nutritional intraoral spray technology and magnesium supplements. Our commitment to magnesium absorption research has allowed us to work with some of the finest institutions, such as Cardiff University, so our products provide you with optimal absorption for maximum results.
