Energy drinks: good or bad. Energy shakes for weight loss

One of the methods of combating extra pounds can be considered the use of various energy drinks. The composition of different energy drinks is quite similar to each other. They include taurine, caffeine, vitamins, all kinds of flavors and dyes.

Scientific research on energy drink consumption

American scientists at one time conducted many studies on the effect of energy drinks on the body as a whole. They came to the conclusion that the frequent use of such products can bring great harm not only to the body suffering from excess, but also to the health of slender people with a sports figure. The rumor that when a person consumes such drinks, his body burns fat faster is false.

Such information can only come from those people who benefit from the “mass reaction” of the population, namely, from the producers of these drinks.

Experts have proven that the use of energy drinks, which in their composition have a large dose of caffeine, people can harm their health. This is especially true for those who are obese, because body weight and without harmful products affects the functioning of the cardiovascular system and other organs.

Anyone who talks about the positive aspects of weight loss with the help of energy drinks recommends consuming up to 5 or even 6 cans of this drink. Caffeine in such an amount causes changes in the work of the heart, which further lead to an increase in blood pressure. Other negative effects include insomnia, stomach and intestinal disorders, nervousness, and even a sharp change in mood.

Manufacturers claim that such products are the only saving option for some people, namely, during the session, drivers, nightclub lovers and for those who are very tired, but simply must be in good physical shape.

In any case, after taking these drinks, the work of the brain is activated, and the vitamins and glucose added to its composition maintain this state for an hour or two.

If you think that energy drinks are “energizing”, you are deeply mistaken. Rather, such drinks "suck" your energy out of you rather than giving it to you. The payback will be sleepless nights, interruptions in pressure and nervous breakdowns. Before you drink

When there is not enough strength and recharging is required, power engineers come to the rescue. Are they as harmless as the manufacturers say? Find out 13 reasons why it is better to give up energy drinks and be healthy!

Think there is no good reason to give up energy drinks? You are deeply mistaken!

They only "masquerade" as some kind of safe means that can provide you with a quick source of energy and help you get through a hard day, but in fact they can be harmful to your health.

I myself was once a lover of energy drinks, until I learned about the negative consequences that their use leads to.

So, today I will talk about 13 reasons that will make you eliminate energy drinks from your diet forever.

1. Stress and anxiety

In my opinion, one of the main reasons to stop drinking energy drinks is that they can cause increased stress and anxiety.

Some of the brands actually contain more caffeine than advertised on their packaging.

Excessive consumption of caffeine causes chronic stress, nervous excitement and heart palpitations, which, you see, are also not very pleasant.

2. Too much sugar

In addition to other artificial ingredients, energy drinks usually contain a lot of sugar, and some brands have the equivalent of 13 teaspoons!

Its abundance can lead to dehydration, tooth decay, excess weight, immune system malfunctions, inflammation, not to mention reactive hypoglycemia.

3. Side effects

Many don't know this, but energy drinks have some pretty serious side effects, including tremors, anxiety, chest pains, indigestion, dizziness, heart attack, and even a heart attack.

Just because energy drinks are readily available and their packaging looks harmless, that doesn't mean they can't cause serious harm to health.

4. Mood change

Studies show that people who consume caffeine frequently have low levels of serotonin. This hormone is known to be responsible for our mood, and its decrease can cause anxiety, depression, and just a bad mood.

Energy drinks make the organs work too hard (as if you are participating in a battle or a long run), which, in the long run, can lead to their exhaustion.

So you artificially create a stressful situation for the body, to which it reacts accordingly.

6. Insomnia

With the help of energy drinks, we seek to get a sharp surge of strength and vigor during the day, but do not think about what will happen when the evening comes and it's time to go to bed.

Such stimulants can lead to restless and shallow sleep at night, so that the next day there will be a need for their use again.

To avoid this vicious cycle, draw energy from natural and safe sources such as healthy food, water, and exercise.

7. High price

I think that in our difficult financial times, many of us have difficulties with money.

I don't mind indulging myself with something tasty sometimes, but energy drinks are not the cheapest product and can cost you up to $1,000 a year or more!

A medium-sized jar costs about $2-3.

Just think how many new clothes and shoes you can get just by giving up the habit of drinking energy drinks every day!

8. Overstimulation

One of the main reasons we turn to stimulant drinks like this is to get an energy boost.

However, this same tide can last much longer than necessary.

In addition to the fact that the body gets used to energy drinks and can no longer “rock out” without their help, it has difficulty returning to its normal state, because it is too excited by chemicals.

9. Too much caffeine

We all know that caffeine is often the main ingredient in energy drinks, but sometimes we have no idea how much of this stimulant we consume.

According to the Mayo Clinic, a typical serving of Strabucks grande contains 330 grams of caffeine.

And in one 60-gram bottle of "5-hour energy" there are as many as 200 grams of caffeine!

If you regularly use this stimulant to cheer up, it can quickly develop into an addiction.

10. Long-term consequences

Of particular concern is the fact that the use of energy drinks causes long-term consequences, which are currently poorly understood.

Unfortunately, official institutions today do not regulate the types and quantities of ingredients widely used in the production of such drinks.

11. Reduced productivity

As I said, one of the main reasons we turn to energy drinks (as well as any caffeinated drink) is the desire to get an additional source of energy.

However, just because you feel more alert doesn't really mean you'll be more productive.

12. Adrenal fatigue

If the adrenal glands do not function at the proper level, then a syndrome occurs, which is called adrenal fatigue.

Although there are many causes for this disorder, one of them is related to exhaustion.

According to Dr. Richard Gelbord of the Capital District Vitality Center in New York, consumption of caffeine and other stimulants can lead to an excess of stress hormones and, as a result, a malfunction of the sympathetic-adrenal system.

13. Illness, disability and even death

In November 2012, the WebMD portal published an article that cited terrible statistics: after using energy drinks such as Monster, Rockstar and 5-Hour Energy, a total of 144 cases of illness, 18 deaths and 2 cases of disability were recorded. Even more frightening is the fact that almost anyone can go to the store and buy one of these or similar drinks.

The next time you want to feel a surge of strength and vigor, do not rush to seek help from energy specialists.

Instead of relying on sugar and caffeine for this, find a more natural and safer way. Take walks, keep an eye on the water balance, and also eat right, and then you will have more than enough energy!

What ways do you use to cheer up?

Until recently, energy drinks have been popular mainly among young people leading a nocturnal lifestyle. But then there was a statement that with the help of energy drinks you can lose weight.

However, after many studies, scientists have come to the conclusion that energy drinks are not able to directly reduce weight.

The effect of energy drinks

By themselves, energy drinks do not have any effect on fat mass. They are able to provide energy that can be used for physical activity in order to lose weight.

An energy drink is, in fact, a cocktail of substances that excite the nervous system. The composition of such drinks is almost identical for all manufacturers:

1. Caffeine- stimulates brain and cardiovascular activity, accelerates blood throughout the body, gives energy and vigor.
2. Taurine- an amino acid that accumulates in the muscles (including the heart muscle) and stimulates their work.
3. Guarana- tones, removes lactic acid from the muscles and reduces pain.
4. L-carnitine- enhances metabolic processes in the body and relieves fatigue.
5. B vitamins- have a stimulating effect on the nervous system.

Lose weight with energy drinks

• Despite the fact that energy drinks give strength, they are not able to make you more resilient. Their action is based on bursts of energy. Such outbreaks are short-term and affect only the nervous system.
• For example, if you need to spend a sleepless night, the energy drink will cheer you up, make your heart beat faster and keep you awake.
• But if you take an energy drink before a sports workout, in the hope of making it more productive, you should not expect the effect. Vigor will appear, but strength in the muscles will not increase.
• With regular use of energy drinks, persistent addiction occurs. You will always lack energy and there will be a desire to increase the dose of the energy drink, and this is dangerous for health. In addition, over time, the effect of cheerfulness will change to the opposite - apathy.
• In the case of prolonged use of energy stimulants, the nervous system begins to malfunction in the form of unreasonable anger, sudden aggression, trembling of the limbs, and stress.
• At the moment of stress, the hormone cortisol is actively released, which is considered the main enemy of weight loss, because it completely blocks the fat burning process, and even stimulates the accumulation of fat.
• Do not forget that energy drinks contain a lot of sugar - 10% of the total amount of the drink. In fact, it is a high-calorie sweet soda.

Thus, it can be argued that with the help of energy drinks it is not only impossible to lose weight, but it is also easy to get better.

Invented quite recently. But mankind has been using their ingredients for centuries to cheer up.

Absolutely everyone drinks energy drinks: office workers who have to finish their work in the evening; students while preparing for the exam; drivers who have been on the road for a long time, and just those who like the taste of an energy drink. Cheerfulness and a surge of strength - that's what these people want to get, considering the energy drink to be a miraculous drink.

Just a small jar - and the energy overflows again. The producers of this miracle drink claim that the energy drink does not cause any harm, its effect on the body is comparable to that of ordinary tea.

But everything would be fine, if not for one but. They want to limit distribution. Does this mean that energy drinks are not so harmless? Then questions arise: "Is it possible to drink energy drinks? The consequences of drinking energy drinks - what are they?" This will be discussed in the article.

How did energy sources appear?

People constantly stimulated their nervous system. For example, in Asia and China they always drank strong tea, in the Middle East - coffee, in Africa they ate kola nuts.

At the end of the 20th century, an energy drink was invented in Asia. The Austrian Dietrich Matesich, who was then in Hong Kong, independently developed his recipe and began to produce it for sale. The new drink quickly gained popularity. Currently, "Red Bull" has captured 70% of the energy market.

Which countries allow the sale of energy drinks?

• in Denmark, France and Norway, energy drinks can only be found in pharmacies;
• in Russia, the sale of energy drinks at school is prohibited; contraindications and side effects must be written on the label;
• It is illegal in the US to sell alcoholic energy drinks.

Many countries have already begun to ban the sale of energy drinks. For example, in Ireland, one athlete died in training because he drank three cans of energy drinks.

In Sweden, too, there were sad incidents. Teenagers mixed alcoholic drinks and energy drinks, as a result they died.

Composition of energy drinks

• Caffeine. Undoubtedly, this is the most popular energy drink. Millions of people drink coffee to get a boost of energy. All energy drinks contain caffeine. This component is an excellent stimulant. 100 mg of caffeine increase mental alertness, and 250 mg improve cardiovascular endurance. To achieve the desired effect, you need to drink three cans of energy drinks, but this exceeds the daily dose.
• Taurine. It is an amino acid found in human muscles. It improves the work of the heart, but recently doctors began to refute this hypothesis. Some doctors claim that taurine has no effect on the human body at all. One energy bank contains from 300 to 100 mg of this substance.
• Carnitine. Found in human cells. Reduces fatigue and increases endurance. This element is able to burn body fat and can improve metabolic processes in the body.
• Ginseng and guarana. These are medicinal plants. They have a tonic effect on the human body. Guarana has found its use in medicine: it relieves muscle pain by removing lactic acid from the tissues. Guarana cleanses the liver and prevents atherosclerosis.
• B vitamins. These components are simply necessary for a person. Thanks to them, the human brain and nervous system function properly. A lack of B vitamins can adversely affect human health. Manufacturers of energy drinks claim that if you get vitamins of this group in large quantities, then mental abilities will improve significantly. This is just a marketing ploy. An excess of vitamin B will negatively affect the human body.
• Melatonin. This substance is found in the human body. It is responsible for biorhythms.
• Matein. The substance helps to dull the feeling of hunger and has a fat burning effect.

Pros and cons of using energy drinks

Scientists have not come to a general conclusion whether energy drinks are harmful or beneficial. Some perceive them as ordinary lemonade, while others believe that if you regularly use energy drinks, you can harm your body.

pros

1. The choice of energy drinks is huge. Everyone can find an energy drink that will fully meet their tastes and preferences. Some drinks may be fruit-flavored, while others may be plain. There are drinks with a high content of vitamins, and there are with a high content of caffeine.
2. Energy drinks can lift your spirits in minutes, and they can also quickly improve your mental alertness.
3. is a real lifesaver for students, workaholics, drivers and athletes.
4. Glucose and various vitamins are added to many energy drinks. Glucose gives strength and energy, and the benefits of vitamins are known to absolutely everyone.
5. The energy drink lasts about 4 hours, which is 2 times longer than the effect of a cup of coffee. Moreover, energy drinks start to act much faster than coffee.
6. Energy drinks are convenient to use: you can always keep them in your bag or car. Energy is always at hand!

Minuses

• Energy drinks should be consumed strictly in accordance with the prescribed dose: no more than two cans per day. If you drink more, then an increase in blood sugar and pressure is guaranteed.
• All the vitamins that are added to energy drinks will not replace vitamins from natural products and from multivitamin complexes.
• Those with heart disease and those suffering from high or low blood pressure should not drink energy drinks.
• The energy drink is not a miracle drink at all. It does not give a person energy. This drink just shows the body where to get it from. Energy drinks are just the key that opens the door to cheerfulness. To put it simply, power engineers do not give us strength, they only get our own energy from the reserves. After this drink has taken out the last strength from the reserves, the person becomes irritable and tired.
• Caffeine, which is contained in any energy drink, depletes the human nervous system. The energy drink works for 4 hours, but after this time a person just needs to rest. Moreover, caffeine can be addictive.
• Huge doses of caffeine and glucose added to an energy drink can harm a person.
• Some add an incredible amount of vitamin B, which greatly exceeds the daily dose. Exceeding the norm can cause muscle tremors and rapid heart rate.
• Caffeine has diuretic properties. Therefore, after power loads, it is forbidden to drink energy drinks, because the body has already lost a lot of fluid through sweat.
• Glucuronolactone and taurine are added to some energy drinks. These substances are contained in the drink in unrealistically large doses. So, for example, taurine exceeds the daily norm by 10 times, and glucuronolactone - by as much as 250! Scientists have not yet figured out how safe this dose is for humans. Research is underway on this topic.

Side effects of energy drinks

With regular use of energy drinks, you can notice the following side effects:

• tachycardia - increased heart rate, the norm for a person is 60 beats per minute, but with tachycardia, 90 or more heart beats can be observed;
• psychomotor agitation - anxiety that can be expressed in various ways: from uncontrolled motor restlessness to shouting out various phrases and sounds for no reason;
• increased nervousness - fatigue, lack of sleep at night and drowsiness during the day, irritability and frequent headaches, all these symptoms directly indicate excessive nervousness;
• depression - lack of joy, indifference to everything that happens, impaired thinking.

What is the right way to drink energy drinks?

It can be seen that the cons of energy drinks are much more than the pros. But still, everyone may have a situation where one simply cannot do without an energy drink. To do this, you need to study all the postulates of the use of energy drinks in order to protect yourself from negative consequences.

• No more than two cans of energy per day! They contain a daily dose of caffeine, it is strictly forbidden to exceed it.
• After drinking an energy drink, you need to rest. It is desirable that this was a full sleep.
• It is forbidden to drink energy drinks after a sports load. As mentioned above, the energy drink removes water from the body. Moreover, energy drinks, like sports training, increase blood pressure;
• You can not drink energy drinks in the presence of the following diseases: hypertension, heart disease and glaucoma. It is also forbidden to drink energy drinks if you suffer from insomnia and have caffeine intolerance.
• You can not give energy to kids and teenagers. Some people ask "Can children drink energy drinks?". The consequences may not be very pleasant, so it is better for the guys not to offer this drink.
• Within 5 hours after drinking the energy drink, it is forbidden to drink tea or coffee.
• Energy drinks and alcohol don't mix. The energy drink raises blood pressure, and alcohol at times enhances the effect of this drink. As a result, you can earn a hypertensive crisis.

Frequently Asked Questions About Energy Drinks

1. Can I drink an expired energy drink? It is forbidden. At least it threatens poisoning. It's a product just like any other. It's better to buy a new jar of energy drink than to put yourself at risk.
2. Can teenagers drink energy drinks? If the energy drink does not contain alcohol, this does not mean that it is unsafe. Persons 15-16 years old are not recommended to drink this drink.
3. Can children under 13 drink energy drinks? If teenagers should not drink energy drinks, then even more so for children. This drink can negatively affect the nervous system of a growing organism.
4. Can pregnant women drink energy drinks? It is forbidden. Pregnant women are better off eating a nutritious diet and avoiding foods containing caffeine. Substances that make up energy drinks can harm the fetus.
5. Can I drink an energy drink before an exam? Can. Just follow the instructions for using this product.
6. Can I drink an energy drink before a workout? In small quantities. It is forbidden to drink an energy drink after a workout.
7. Can you drink energy drinks under the age of 18? The store can sell energy drinks to people under 18, but this does not mean that they can be consumed. Conscientious manufacturers on the labels of energy drinks indicate: "Forbidden for use by persons under 18 years of age."

What brands of energy drinks can be found?

• Red Bull.
• Burn.
• Adrenaline Rush.

These are the most popular non-alcoholic energy drinks.

Also on the shelves of the store you can find alcoholic energy drinks. It is strictly forbidden to drink them! If you see alcohol in the composition of an energy drink, then put it aside, take care of your health.

What is the difference between non-alcoholic energy drinks?

It is worth saying a few words about which of the listed energy drinks harms the body the least.

• Red Bull is a drink similar in composition and action to a cup of coffee with a spoonful of sugar.
• Burn - a huge amount of guarana, theobromine and caffeine has been added to this drink.
• Adrenaline Rush is the safest of all energy drinks. it has an invigorating effect with the help of ginseng, which is a common medicinal plant.

In conclusion

Whichever drink you prefer, it is worth remembering that these are just carbonated analogues of a cup of coffee. Energy drinks can harm the body.

Vitamins and substances that are part of energy drinks can be found in juices, fruits and chocolate.

Think about it, maybe it's better to drink a cup of strong and aromatic coffee with a piece of dark chocolate than to poison your body with energy drinks?

Shortly before spring, it's time to go on a diet and find a remedy that would allow you not to deviate from your plans. In this capacity, energy cocktails for weight loss are the best fit. In a person during a diet, such drinks suppress appetite, at the same time saturate the body with essential nutrients and relieve fatigue. Energy shakes are available for every woman: branded blends for them are sold at the pharmacy or you can make slimming drinks at home.

Benefits of energy shakes for weight loss

The beneficial properties of drinks that promote weight loss are determined by their special recipe. The ingredients are selected in such a combination to give a person a charge to continue the diet in combination with physical activity, to accelerate the consumption of fat. Cleansing of the body is also taken into account. The composition of energy cocktails for weight loss includes substances that bring a person into a state of “combat” readiness: invigorating caffeine, a muscle-stimulating amino acid, a source of stamina guarana, an accelerating metabolism L-carnitine, B vitamins.

Types of energy cocktails:

• Protein - gives a feeling of satiety, is used after training and as a meal replacement. Prepared on the basis of milk, kefir. You can add cottage cheese, fruits, berries, greens to it.
• Ginger cocktail - relieves hunger, taken 15 minutes before meals. Consists of kefir, ginger root, a pinch of cinnamon, red pepper.
• Dairy - replaces food intake, supplies a person with energy. To obtain a drink, natural ingredients are added to the milk of your choice.
• Celery cocktail - provides the body with essential vitamins. It is made on the basis of tomato juice, where an apple and greens are squeezed.
• Banana - has a vitaminizing and cleansing effect. Suitable instead of the main meal for 2 days. It is prepared on the basis of lemon juice, orange, where a banana is added.
• Cinnamon cocktail - dulls the appetite. The spice is added to kefir, fruit drinks.
• A series of protein energy cocktails "Energetik Slim" (from the Samara Research Institute) - eliminates fat accumulation. Offers a wide flavor palette with high nutritional value. Can serve as a basis for berry, fruit, vegetable variations.

What is Energy Diet

These are specially designed energy cocktails for effective weight loss. They help a person to quickly lose weight, while playing sports they provide targeted muscle building, nutrition and recovery of the body. How to make energy shakes? To do this, dry mixes are diluted with milk. Cocktails for weight loss do not contain GMOs in their composition, meet the quality standards of the Russian Federation and Europe. For more information on weight loss energy shakes, visit the Energy Diet official website.

Effective Weight Loss Program Energy Diet

• Stage 1 "Start", designed for 3-5 days

During this period, in order to start the mechanism of losing weight by spending accumulated fat, 4-5 energy cocktails with different tastes are consumed daily, which corresponds to 1200-1500 kcal. Before taking the Energy Diet and after taking a glass of water for better saturation. Mixtures are diluted with low-fat, or diluted with water milk, or kefir. The required daily intake of liquid along with energy cocktails is 2-2.5 liters each. Once a day, eat a plate of salad from raw or boiled vegetables.

• Stage 2 "Fixing the result", designed for 11-14 days

At this time, take 1-2 energy shakes daily and eat a balanced meal no more than 2 times. In the morning they have an Energy Diet breakfast or just a meal, they have a meal containing protein and vegetables for lunch. Dine on an energy cocktail. Keep the water daily regime up to 2 liters. If you feel hungry in the evening, you can take an additional half serving of Energy Diet 2-3 hours before bedtime. Drink a cocktail with water or weak tea, you can with lemon. After “Consolidating the result”, repeating the “Start” program will help to lose another 15-20 kg or more.

• Stage 3 "Control", calculated individually

For every 1 kg of weight lost in the previous 2 periods, 1 month is taken. As before, you need to adhere to food restrictions, avoiding chocolate and various sweets, pastries, store-bought fruit juices and other high-calorie foods. Watch your weight carefully. Retreat from the diet is leveled by the “eraser effect”: a return to the “Start” program for a couple of days. Or after a hearty meal, instead of lunch or dinner the next day, take 1-2 energy shakes.

How to make an energy shake at home

• Honey-lemon (helps increase efficiency): in 1 liter of pure water with lemon juice (to taste), carefully dissolve 2 tbsp. l. honey and rosehip syrup, 150 mg of ascorbic acid.
• Cottage cheese energy (when used 45 minutes before physical exertion, it helps to grow muscles): crushed banana, 200 g of cottage cheese, a glass of milk are mixed in a blender.
• Protein-carbohydrate (nourishes, restores strength): 50 g of low-fat cottage cheese, 5 pieces of peeled walnuts, 2 tbsp. are added to a glass of kefir. l. dry fiber, turn into a homogeneous mass.
• Cucumber (invigorates, improves appearance): chopped cucumber is mixed with muesli, herbs, diluted with water to the desired consistency.

Energy drink video recipes for athletes

For competitions, they specially lose weight so as not to stand out from their weight category, while choosing drinks that are not harmful to health. Energy cocktails that promote effective weight loss help not only to achieve this goal, but also give a supply of energy for sports achievements. Therefore, they are perfect for people who are fond of sports. Drinks that replace meals instill the habit of rational nutrition. Expand your horizons, learn more about your body, including with the help of interesting, educational videos.