Here are some of the ingredients you may find in popular energy
drinks and what they do in the body:
drinks and what they do in the body:
Ephedrine - A stimulant that works on the central nervous
system. It is a common ingredient in weight-loss products and
decongestants, but there have been concerns about its effects on
the heart.
system. It is a common ingredient in weight-loss products and
decongestants, but there have been concerns about its effects on
the heart.
Taurine - A natural amino acid produced by the body that helps
regulate heart beat and muscle contractions. Many health experts
aren't sure what effect it has as a drink additive (and the rumor
that taurine comes from bull testicles is false).
regulate heart beat and muscle contractions. Many health experts
aren't sure what effect it has as a drink additive (and the rumor
that taurine comes from bull testicles is false).
Ginseng - A root believed by some to have several medicinal
properties, including reducing stress and boosting energy levels.
B-vitamins - A group of vitamins that can convert sugar to
energy and improve muscle tone.
properties, including reducing stress and boosting energy levels.
B-vitamins - A group of vitamins that can convert sugar to
energy and improve muscle tone.
Guarana seed - A stimulant that comes from a small shrub
native to Venezuela and Brazil.
native to Venezuela and Brazil.
Carnitine - An amino acid that plays a role in fatty acid
metabolism.
metabolism.
Creatine - An organic acid that helps supply energy for muscle
contractions.
contractions.
Inositol - A member of the vitamin B complex (not a vitamin
itself, because the human body can synthesize it) that helps relay
messages within cells in the body.
itself, because the human body can synthesize it) that helps relay
messages within cells in the body.
Ginkgo biloba - Made from the seeds of the ginkgo biloba tree,
thought to enhance memory.
thought to enhance memory.
Looking at the ingredients, energy drinks appear to be part soft
drink and part nutritional supplement. According to reviewers, the
taste falls within the same range. People who have tried energy
drinks have described the taste as ranging from "medicinal" to
"molten Sweet Tart."
Although the manufacturers claim that energy drinks can improve
your endurance and performance, many health experts disagree.
Any boost you get from drinking them, they say, is solely from the
sugar and caffeine.
Caffeine works by blocking the effects of adenosine, a brain
chemical involved in sleep. When caffeine blocks adenosine, it
causes neurons in the brain to fire. Thinking the body is in an
emergency, the pituitary gland initiates the body's "fight or flight"
response by releasing adrenaline. This hormone makes the heart
beat faster and the eyes dilate. It also causes the liver to release
extra sugar into the bloodstream for energy. Caffeine affects the
levels of dopamine, a chemical in the brain's pleasure center. All
of these physical responses make you feel as though you have
more energy.
drink and part nutritional supplement. According to reviewers, the
taste falls within the same range. People who have tried energy
drinks have described the taste as ranging from "medicinal" to
"molten Sweet Tart."
Although the manufacturers claim that energy drinks can improve
your endurance and performance, many health experts disagree.
Any boost you get from drinking them, they say, is solely from the
sugar and caffeine.
Caffeine works by blocking the effects of adenosine, a brain
chemical involved in sleep. When caffeine blocks adenosine, it
causes neurons in the brain to fire. Thinking the body is in an
emergency, the pituitary gland initiates the body's "fight or flight"
response by releasing adrenaline. This hormone makes the heart
beat faster and the eyes dilate. It also causes the liver to release
extra sugar into the bloodstream for energy. Caffeine affects the
levels of dopamine, a chemical in the brain's pleasure center. All
of these physical responses make you feel as though you have
more energy.
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