The global beverages market has seen a drastic boost in the demand and need for energy drinks. With supplements gaining popularity to boost energy and perform well in sports, energy drinks have now become a common addition in many hydration regimes.
However, another very claimed outcome of energy drinks is that they also help in weight loss. Well, while sipping on these energy drinks, you might feel all of your calories burning out but in reality, these are not an all-time fix for you.
The answer to the question is that Energy drinks aren’t the weight-loss solution you may believe.
They may help you cut down your body fat due to their nutritional properties, but relying completely on it for weight loss might be extremely harmful to you as well.
Let us look at some of the aspects of the energy drinks that contribute towards weight loss. We will also dwell deeper into the good and bad parts of consuming energy drinks regularly.
Ingredients of Energy Drinks
Different brands of energy drinks contain different ingredients in different amounts. Thus, it is a good habit to go through the nutrition labels whenever you opt for any energy drink in the market.
Here are the most common ingredients which are found in almost all energy drinks-
Caffeine – does caffeine make you lose weight?
One of the key ingredients of all energy drinks, caffeine is a stimulant that helps in boosting energy and alertness.
Market brands contain very large amounts of caffeine which is not good for your body. Hence, always check the nutrition label.
Caffeine doses of up to 400 milligrams (mg) per day appear to be safe for most healthy persons. Overdosing on caffeine more than the safe amount can lead to many health issues.
Know More: How long does energy drinks lasts?
Sugar
Per 16-ounce can, certain energy drinks can contain up to 62 grams of sugar or 15 1/2 teaspoons.
This adds up to around 250 calories per can, or about the same as a 20-ounce bottle of cola. And to spill out the facts, sugar is a nonelectrolyte, if not consumed in an optimum amount, can lead to weight gain, heart issues, diabetes, etc.
While you choose your go-to energy drink, prefer sugar-free options, or try opting for natural energy drinks.
Add On: 5 Best (& easy) Homemade sugar-free energy drinks
Taurine
It is one of the common ingredients of any energy drink in the market. Taurine is an amino acid that may help athletes improve their performance and metabolism.
Taurine in amounts of up to 3,000 mg per day is generally regarded safe. It helps improve your nerve function, aiding in digestion and improving athletic performance.
So far, taurine has not been associated with any severe negative outcomes if consumed in proper amounts. Overdose can cause mild to moderate heart problems.
B-Vitamins
B- vitamins are the most extensively used energy supplement element and can be found naturally in our diets.
These essentially assist the body in the conversion of food into energy. However, it does not primarily play a major role in an energy boost.
Because vitamins B12 and B6 are poorly absorbed when consumed orally, the modest levels found in most energy drinks are unlikely to produce the desired impact.
Also Read: When are Sports Drink Appropriate for Hydration
Guarana
Guarana is derived from a South American plant. It has long been utilized by Amazonians to boost alertness and energy.
It has a higher caffeine content than coffee beans. Guarana contains 3-4 percent caffeine compared to 1-2 percent caffeine in Arabica coffee.
Some people react to guarana differently than they do to ordinary caffeine, which is typically found in energy beverages.
Some people say guarana makes them feel more awake, while others say it doesn’t have as much of a stimulating effect.
Energy Drinks & Weight Connection
Gaining or losing weight can be reduced to a simple equation of calories in vs calories out. If you eat more calories than you burn, you will gain weight and vice versa.
You won’t be able to lose weight unless you remove 200-500 calories from your diet. Many people believe that missing a meal and having an energy drink will help them achieve that deficit, yet energy drinks are low in nutrition and heavy in empty calories.
Consuming two or more energy drinks per day can drive you above the recommended daily allowance, leading to weight gain unwittingly.
Energy drinks are not a straight substitute for dieting, although they can benefit you while you are dieting.
If you are working out, you can drink energy drinks since caffeine may power you up and give you that extra boost you need, and it has been shown to improve exercise performance.
As a result, if you want the finest workout experience while still being able to enjoy energy drinks, choose low or zero-calorie energy drinks instead, as they will not add any significant calories to your entire diet.
But, again I say, MODERATION IS THE KEY HERE. Energy drinks are not an extensive and exclusive option for weight loss. Your body must suit the amount you are consuming and if you go anywhere beyond that, your overall health will face the repercussions.
Read More: How to lose water weight?
Why Energy Drinks Are Good For You?
People consume energy drinks due to many different reasons. While we know about the side effects of energy drinks, we must also cater to what’s good in energy drinks that makes them worthy to consume in optimum amounts.
- Energy drinks can improve mental function and enhance mental alertness. It increases focus, concentration, and cognitive powers and reduces mental fatigue.
- Energy drinks provide a sudden and quick boost to the body. This is turn helps to engage better and longer in any activity or sports performance for instance. To know the lasting effects of energy drinks, click here.
- Because of the caffeine and carbs in energy drinks, athletes can recover from exertion more quickly.
- When you’re fatigued, you may become grumpy and reluctant to do anything. Most energy drinks are high in B vitamins, which help to regulate mood and other brain functions.
Bottom Line
Energy drinks are great supplements to boost your energy level, mental alertness, enhance performance and look after hydration.
The whole overview however singles up to the caffeine and sugar content in energy drinks that strictly needs to be in moderation, including other ingredients.
