The problem of dealing with a lack of energy is an old one. People of all ages and occupations are over scheduled, over stressed and over booked and a quick fix to a problem is always appealing. There are very few people today that don’t wake up with a cup of coffee or tea and, in fact, people have been relying on that morning jolt of caffeine for hundreds of years. Taking it to the next level by adding even more caffeine seems like a no-brainer, right?
Because the speed of marketing always runs rings around science, people looking for a super powerful energy drink to get them through their day sometimes fall prey to some misinformation.
Here’s some common fallacies and misconceptions about energy drinks:
Fallacy #1. Energy drinks speed up your metabolism.
Sorry, just the opposite happens. The common denominators of most energy drinks are calories, carbohydrates and sugar. You might think that because your heart is pounding so hard from all that caffeine you must be losing weight. Unfortunately, you also took in way more calories than you’re burning.
Fallacy #2. Drinking a can of energy drink can help you sober up.
Mixing energy drinks with alcohol is never recommended because the heightened alertness can disguise the effects of the alcohol and give you a false sense of sobriety. Energy drinks actually stall how fast you sober up because caffeine slows down your ability to metabolize the alcohol.
Fallacy #3. Energy drinks help you with your workout.
You do get an initial rush of energy when you drink one of those little cans but it doesn’t last long and then you experience the sugar crash. Since your body needs hydration during exercise you might be encouraged to drink another one. You not only don’t get the water you need but you’re adding way more calories than you’re burning.
The bottom line on energy drinks is that taken in small doses they won’t do you any harm. When taken in moderation, energy drinks do seem to give you quick energy when needed. A healthier, cheaper alternative is just to eat an apple. An apple contains sugar for energy but the fiber slows down its’ absorption so you’re getting a measured dose and not causing an extreme blood sugar shock. Plus, you’ll be getting energy, fiber and vitamins while avoiding the sugar and caffeine.
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