Energy Drinks

TheTrimTim

Hey, this may be a stupid question but how bad are energy drinks like Red Bull and Monster? I believe the 'full fat' versions are loaded with sugar but the 'lite' versions can have 50 calories or less. Should such drinks be avoided at all costs? Or do they have their place on helping boost energy?

Wonderob

Hey, this may be a stupid question but how bad are energy drinks like Red Bull and Monster? I believe the 'full fat' versions are loaded with sugar but the 'lite' versions can have 50 calories or less. Should such drinks be avoided at all costs? Or do they have their place on helping boost energy?

Well I'm pretty sure they don't contain any fat whatsoever - even the full fat ones! They are empty calories in that they contain no protein and no complex carbs, and the caffeine 'boost' before a workout is a minute benefit at best

That said I flippin love them! So I put them in my 'treat' category, and only have one when I really want to.

bluegrasschica

I don't know about red bull and monster but l just bought the v8 vfusion energy drinks today. They are only 50 calories plus you get a full serving of fruit and veggie juice. Win Win! Ha!

goodbyerachel

I don't know about many types specifically but have been told to look at the amount of sugar content in those types of drinks and serving size - a lot say only x calories which looks good but one bottle could end up being 3 servings so you need to read the label accordingly.

MikeyD1280

when I was doing rock climbing hardcore,

I drank an energy drink called Krank'd... that is some real powerful stuff, rich in B vitamins, the ones that give energy

Nessiechickie

http://www.screamingenergy.com/nutrition.php

This site should help you a bit, don't know how true it is but it is something.
My favorite ones are the green tea energy drinks,
I know they don't have much benefit other then keeping my awake.

Karalopolous

I don't think they're that bad, I mean they have caffeine but so does coffee. I just won't drink the full sugar ones bc of the sugar.

lukeout007

Redbull has about the same amount of caffeine in it as a cup of coffee...

I drank an energy drink one day called Red Line...I was warned to only drink half...I drank the full thing and had to go home for the day. I was shaking like crazy. I tried to use the bathroom and I pissed all over the stall. It was awful.

SPNLuver83

Give me a sugar free red bull on a hot day over coffee anyday.

Brandicaloriecountess

While not healthy, I haven't cut out sugar free redbull or rockstar!

Tannedtiffers

I like SF RedBull, Monster Rehab tea+lemonade, and Redline Princess

all with 30 calories or less

shaycat

I am pretty addicted to them right now. I have to have one a day. The ones I am currently drinking only have 20 calories and 3gs sugar. So far no really bad side effects. :drinker:

Mercenary1914

Hey, this may be a stupid question but how bad are energy drinks like Red Bull and Monster? I believe the 'full fat' versions are loaded with sugar but the 'lite' versions can have 50 calories or less. Should such drinks be avoided at all costs? Or do they have their place on helping boost energy?

I "occasionally" drink a sugar free red bull when I absolutely do not have any energy for a LIFT...for runs...I do not take anything...but good ole fashion carb loading

jmllmj

My trainer told me that most of the bad rep they get is, in his words, horse sh**. As long as that isn't all that you're drinking you should be fine. My favorite is Monster Absolute Zero. I have one every now and again.

Lando_pr

I am so addicted to this stuff. I've tried to quit but, since I don't like coffee, it's been hard. I drink Monster Low Carb. Have heard a lot of people saying it's bad for me. Still haven't heard one with a convincing argument though.
I'd say to stay away from anything that you'll need after a while, so if you don't use them don't start. You could have one occasionally when needed but that's about it. Even if you choose the no sugar version, you'll crash.

BigRich822

They are about the worst thing that you can put into your body. Hope that Helps

IronPlayground

I like Monster Rehab Tea+Lemonade. 20 cals in the whole can. I have one a day. I do drink a ton of water throughout the day, though. I usually have it around 3:00.

brokenartist

I drank an energy drink one day called Red Line...I was warned to only drink half...I drank the full thing and had to go home for the day. I was shaking like crazy. I tried to use the bathroom and I pissed all over the stall. It was awful.

Ive had that one before, I drank the whole thing but half in the morning and half after lunch...i liked it but I fully understand the shaking part, i was almost there but not quite because they were spaced out enough

lukeout007

I drank an energy drink one day called Red Line...I was warned to only drink half...I drank the full thing and had to go home for the day. I was shaking like crazy. I tried to use the bathroom and I pissed all over the stall. It was awful.

Ive had that one before, I drank the whole thing but half in the morning and half after lunch...i liked it but I fully understand the shaking part, i was almost there but not quite because they were spaced out enough

Yeah it wasn't spaced out for me at all. I knocked it out in about 2 minutes...it was the worst feeling I've ever had without being sick or injured. I'm not even sure they make that stuff anymore and I can see why.

AsaraFuriosa

I have chronic fatigue because of my Fibro. I've taken some sort of energy supplements ever since I can remember from caffeine pills to all kinds of energy drinks. That being said, after I changed to a healthy lifestyle, I've found 5 Hour Energy to be the best for me now. I drink nothing but water so half of that little bottle does it for me all day!! $$ saver!! :happy:

cheesy_blasters

I don't know much about Red Bull besides that it's primarily a marketing scheme, not a product they manufacture (there was an interesting discussion about it on Secrets of the Superbrands on the BBC), Rockstar has sketchy ties to Michael Savage and the Paul Revere Society. Don't know anything about Monster.

If I need a boost, I'll go for coconut water or just mix little juice in sparkling water or something or just get an ice coffee, no milk.
I get jttery with a simple coffee so I've never needed other energy drinks.

pkfrankel

Red Bull Lite, and many "diet" beverages contain Aspartame and/or Acesulfame K; artificial sweeteners that allow manufacturers to make drinks "that taste good and are good for you." Here are two segments from articles about both artificial sweeteners.

Aspartame - One of the criticisms of using aspartame-sweetened foods for weight loss is that the sweet taste still tricks the brain into thinking it's hungry. This hypothesis would lead to a triggered effect in the body that would release digestive enzymes and insulin, actually increasing hunger cues and potentially causing a person to eat more. But consistently, past research did not draw this conclusion. Scientists studying this issue saw that consuming aspartame did not increase insulin, increase appetite, or increase eating and drinking more calories overall.

Despite this previous evidence, two new research studies from the Texas Health Science Center paint a different picture. They showed that the waistlines of people who drank diet soft drinks increased 70 percent more than people who didn't drink diet soda. They saw that people who drank diet drinks had a greater likelihood to be overweight. The blame is placed on the brain triggers instigated by the sweet, calorie-less taste experience. Two other recent brain studies demonstrated this effect, showing that the body does seek out calories after eating no-calorie sweeteners such as aspartame.

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/493966-aspartame-and-weight-loss/#ixzz1wyP5e69N

Acesulfame K - The Center for Science and Public Interest rates acesulfame potassium as one food additive you should avoid, raising concerns about safety tests on the sweetener prior to FDA approval that were of "mediocre quality." The CSPI notes that tests conducted on rats and mice were very short; two suggested that acesulfame potassium could potentially be carcinogenic. An article published in the "International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health" in 2010 by a Drexel University researcher echoed the CSPI's concerns and recommended that the sweetener undergo more rigorous and lengthy testing in the National Toxicology Program's bioassay program.

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/481968-is-acesulfame-potassium-a-harmful-sweetener/#ixzz1wyQR2jtr

Pebble321

If you like them, drink them... I avoid them because too much caffeine keeps me awake for days, plus I don't like the taste of artificial sweeteners so I avoid the sugar-free versions.
But, be cautious about mixing them with alcohol - they are highlighted in the news today (in Australia) after a teenager died after three drinks (alcohol + energy drinks). Of course, this could just be shock journalism but I've read in anumber of other places that this is a risky mix.

BigHef32

Monster Lo-Carb has 20 calories per serving, Monster Absolute Zero has zero calores. Absolute Zero tastes a lot like the green Energy with a bit of a "diety" after taste.

AntWrig

Red Bull Lite, and many "diet" beverages contain Aspartame and/or Acesulfame K; artificial sweeteners that allow manufacturers to make drinks "that taste good and are good for you." Here are two segments from articles about both artificial sweeteners.

Aspartame - One of the criticisms of using aspartame-sweetened foods for weight loss is that the sweet taste still tricks the brain into thinking it's hungry. This hypothesis would lead to a triggered effect in the body that would release digestive enzymes and insulin, actually increasing hunger cues and potentially causing a person to eat more. But consistently, past research did not draw this conclusion. Scientists studying this issue saw that consuming aspartame did not increase insulin, increase appetite, or increase eating and drinking more calories overall.

Despite this previous evidence, two new research studies from the Texas Health Science Center paint a different picture. They showed that the waistlines of people who drank diet soft drinks increased 70 percent more than people who didn't drink diet soda. They saw that people who drank diet drinks had a greater likelihood to be overweight. The blame is placed on the brain triggers instigated by the sweet, calorie-less taste experience. Two other recent brain studies demonstrated this effect, showing that the body does seek out calories after eating no-calorie sweeteners such as aspartame.

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/493966-aspartame-and-weight-loss/#ixzz1wyP5e69N

Acesulfame K - The Center for Science and Public Interest rates acesulfame potassium as one food additive you should avoid, raising concerns about safety tests on the sweetener prior to FDA approval that were of "mediocre quality." The CSPI notes that tests conducted on rats and mice were very short; two suggested that acesulfame potassium could potentially be carcinogenic. An article published in the "International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health" in 2010 by a Drexel University researcher echoed the CSPI's concerns and recommended that the sweetener undergo more rigorous and lengthy testing in the National Toxicology Program's bioassay program.

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/481968-is-acesulfame-potassium-a-harmful-sweetener/#ixzz1wyQR2jtr

And I bet you consume protein powders....

shellsrenee01

I don't think I could get through most of my 4am work mornings without a 5 hour energy shot or a sugar free Rockstar. I probably have one or the other at least 3 times a week. The 5 hour energy has 4 calories and the sugar free Rockstar has 20. I've never tried one before a workout though. I fear it would upset my stomach.

vasogoma

I love the flavor in the Monster, but it has never really helped me feel with more energy at all. I think I am not sensible to caffeine, I can drink black coffee before going to bed and still sleep like a baby
I haven't bought one since I started my diet, I might give it a try as a snack!

dstanley753

As a hardcore energy drink addict this was a tough one for me...The V8 Fusion Energy Drink is good and as times I have a can of seltzer water with Mio Energy in it as both are 0 cal!

sonjalucia

I confess,

I usually have about 6-7 SF Redbulls per week.

Not good for the teeth, I know I know. But they are my vice right now!

Tannedtiffers

I drank an energy drink one day called Red Line...I was warned to only drink half...I drank the full thing and had to go home for the day. I was shaking like crazy. I tried to use the bathroom and I pissed all over the stall. It was awful.

Ive had that one before, I drank the whole thing but half in the morning and half after lunch...i liked it but I fully understand the shaking part, i was almost there but not quite because they were spaced out enough

I'm in East Texas and they have about 8 flavor/varieties of RedLine at the truck stop by my work.