Sports and energy drinks provide essential electrolytes for workouts but carry risks like increased heart rate. Understanding the ingredients in Gatorade, Red Bull, and Monster helps in selecting the safest energy boost.
When training for a significant period of time, your body needs fuel and hydration to keep going. This can come in the form of a sports drink such as Gatorade, which was created in the 1960s for the University of Florida football team -- the Gators -- hence, the name.
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Drinking too many energy drinks is bad for your health. Energy drinks have three times the caffeine of a cola drink. They also contain high amounts of sugar, or artificial sweeteners for the diet versions. The sugar combined with the caffeine gives you an instant energy boost that can last for an hour or two.
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Both recovery drinks and protein shakes are designed to maximize the efforts of your workout, but they operate in different ways. For most people who are moderately active, drinking plain water during and after exercise is sufficient.
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Energy drinks like Monster are popular, and some people are under the impression that they are healthier than soda. Both Monster and soda contain mainly sweeteners and water. However, Monster contains ingredients not found in soda. These ingredients may provide health benefits, but they may not be safe for some people.
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Caffeine is the primary active ingredient in Monster energy drinks. The drinks contain approximately 160 mg of caffeine in each 16 oz. serving. In comparison, the amount of caffeine in a cup of brewed coffee varies from 95 mg to 200 mg, depending on the source and type of coffee.
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Whether you participate in sports or simply exercise for recreation, you are familiar with sports drinks. Sports drinks provide energy for activity and ensure proper hydration. Athletes use them during activity to enhance performance. Gatorade is one of the most popular sports drinks on the market, consumed by many.
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Living Essentials, the company that makes 5-Hour Energy, sold 350 million cans of the 2 oz. drink in 2009. 5-Hour Energy can be found at supermarkets, gas stations and office supply stores. TV ads for the drink are ubiquitous.
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Energy drinks are marketed toward people who desire a boost in energy. According to an article in the March 2011 issue of "Pediatrics," 30 to 50 percent of adolescents and young adults reportedly consume energy drinks. Common energy drinks include Red Bull, Monster, Amp, Rockstar and 5-hour Energy.
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Monster Energy is an energy drink made by Hansen Natural Corporation. The company markets several versions of this drink, and all of them contain taurine, an amino acid. Companies that market energy drinks claim taurine improves mental performance and gives you energy.
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The sports drink Gatorade is a non-carbonated solution formulated to replenish sugar, electrolytes and fluid lost during strenuous physical activity. Although the mechanism is different, fluid and electrolyte losses also commonly occur when you're sick and may contribute to feeling poorly.
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Monster Energy drink addiction can be a problem for teens, adolescents and older working adults. Adolescents and adults may be consuming this beverage and the drug it contains -- caffeine -- to fight for increased energy and stamina.
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The original XS Energy Drink is offered as a low-calorie option for those who want the caffeine boost that energy drinks offer without the extra calories from sugar and carbohydrates. EX Energy Drink, which contains some essential nutrients, is high in B vitamins. MayoClinic.
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Gatorade is a sport drink targeted toward athletes, but you don't have to be an athlete to benefit from drinking it. Gatorade was developed to combat the loss of fluids and electrolytes from perspiration. It is advertised as a thirst quencher as well as an effective beverage to rehydrate the body.
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Monster Energy is owned by the Hansen Natural Corporation, and their beverages first hit the market in 2002. In a surprising contrast to Hansen Natural's reputation as a healthy, preservative-free beverage company, Monster Energy drinks have large amounts of caffeine, sugar and sodium.
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If you need a perky dose of caffeine but don't want a traditional coffee, you could turn to an energy drink. The XS Energy Drink is one of your many options when it comes to such caffeinated, non-coffee beverages.
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Many people rely on caffeine to help them stay alert, feel more invigorated and provide a quick "pick me up." If you are sensitive to caffeine, or are looking to cut back on caffeine as part of a healthy diet, consider caffeine free energy drinks as an alternative.
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Gatorade began making sports beverages at the University of Florida in 1965 and has evolved into one of the world's leading sports nutrition and performance research companies. Gatorade's G Series offers three beverages to assist with various phases of training.
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Advocare Spark Energy is an over-the-counter dietary supplement containing a blend of 21 vitamins, minerals and nutrients. The blend is designed to boost energy and mental focus in a nutritious and healthy way. Advocare Spark Energy is available in powder form to be mixed with water or another beverage between meals.
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Monster Energy drinks are full of numerous ingredients that promise to increase endurance, create lasting energy and improve concentration. The effects of the beverage will vary from person to person.
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The calories hiding in each standard drink can vary depending on beverage choice and the added ingredients. A standard drink is any drink that contains about 0.6 fluid ounces of "pure" alcohol, according to the National Institutes of Health. Twelve ounces of regular beer, 5 oz. of wine and a 1.5-oz.
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