Use of Energy Drinks

Joshacham

This may very well be in the wrong area and if it is, I apologize and ask the mods to move to the proper place.

What is everyone's thoughts on using energy drinks? For the longest of times I used Rockstar just to wake up in the morning. I get up, make some breakfast and drink an energy drink as my "morning coffee" and continue on with my day. One day I stopped cold turkey and haven't had one for 3 months until this weekend. I know I shouldn't drink them because they're not good for you regardless if they have zero calorie or not, but I had one this morning and had one of my best morning runs to date. I felt good the entire time I was out there and I didn't feel as tired as I would by the end of the run.

Now I'm conflicted, I don't want to be drinking these things again but I really felt great out there. I'm planning on finishing these three and be done with them again. Before I do that, I want to know what's everyone's opinion are.

imafitnesstrainerlara

Heaven knows the chemicals aren't good for you, but there is A LOT of research showing that caffeine helps with sports performance, especially in non-users. (not as effective if you have it regularly)

I think everything in moderation. The occasional rockstar won't kill ya

ChasingStarlight

I'm a runner too. I use black coffee pre-run as my wake up. I drink coke zero, usually only 1 a day. Full of chemicals and no nutritional value, so I feel slightly bad about it, but I figure, hey, as vices go, it isn't too bad. I'd keep drinking it if I was you, but limit how many.

thathockeychick23

I love energy drinks. I used to drink a lot, but now I don't. I never exceed two a week. So much less than I used to be drink.

Larisonlj

Look into Buzz Bites energy chews, they are my morning caffeine without jitters or drinking my calories.

wellbert

They gave me IBS. Good luck!

bankmd

You might get the same effect from coffee, which at least has some positive reviews with respect to health. And caffeine does indeed help with both the perception of effort and the body's ability to burn fat for fuel (which avoids glycogen depletion bonks). Not sure how far you are running though.

darleyschroeder

I am pretty sure they are terrible, however, I am def. a caffeine junkie.
I switched to coffee and I will drink 1-2 cups before a workout, simply because it helps my endurance and gives me the energy I am looking for.

AllTehBeers

I drink one every morning for breakfast at work. I don't drink them on my off days. I love them and only give them up occasionally. If you're drinking lots of water, I don't see why to cut them out, unless there's something like high blood pressure that forces you to cut them out.

AllTehBeers

Look into Buzz Bites energy chews, they are my morning caffeine without jitters or drinking my calories.

The jitters is my favorite part.

Game8

If you're using energy drinks to wake you up in the morning, then coffee is a lot cheaper and healthier. If you use energy drinks for pre-workouts, then pre-workout supplements would also be cheaper and more effective. Either way, I wouldn't waste my money on them, especially the ones loaded with sugar.

runwithmike

I drink a Mountain Dew from time to time.

JMPerlin

In the morning I drink tea. It is not nearly as addictive as coffee, for me anyway. On my work out nights I drink a 5 hr energy just be fore I go to class. That is because I have to assist in 2 martial art classes, then my class and then my practice. This will take me to about 10:30 PM.

Joshacham

I agree, it is an expensive habit and a lot of empty calorie crap in it. That's one of the reasons why I gave them up.

Rogiefreida

I used to drink them all the time. But my favorite ones of all time are FULL of sugar and calories and caffeine and other crap that is not good for you so I gave them up and subbed in the Pink Rockstars that come in the 12 oz can. I only drink maybe 1-2 a week, when I need it. That said, i love myself my morning coffee and will never, ever, ever EVER give it up.

There are plenty of things that are worse for you to put in your body, if you drink them in moderation.

Also, for what it's worth, my husband had a pretty terrible addiction to Monster and drank 2 a day, until he started having kidney problems. He gave them up (for a while anyways) and his problems went away. Now he drinks them in moderation, no problems.

Joshacham

Anyone see that Monster is giving people heart attacks? Everyone is wondering why, because people too young or had prior conditions drinking 3 a day. I use to drink 4 a day, but I cut down to 1. Hopefully none again soon again.

NormalSaneFLGuy

I prefer organic energy drinks.

-6oz purified water
-1 tsp honey
-1 tsp cinammon

Swirl the ingredients together and serve chilled. I have one of these every morning.

shinkalork

Energy drinks like Red Bull etc are very high in Acid..... They do a lot of dammage to your teeth,stomach and liver.
Be careful..... Not talking about organic ones....or the non-fizzy ones...but AMPS,Red bull,Rockstars etc...aren't healthy for you

MDWilliams1857

I drink the lo carb monsters most of the time but every now and then I will get a redbull because there is nothing that tastes better imo. I dont drink coffee or tea so thats not an option for me. I dont see the problem really. Everyone has their thing. If you want to drink an energy drink every morning to wake up I dont think its going to be a big set back for you.

MDWilliams1857

Anyone see that Monster is giving people heart attacks? Everyone is wondering why, because people too young or had prior conditions drinking 3 a day. I use to drink 4 a day, but I cut down to 1. Hopefully none again soon again.

Yes, children. it clearly says on the can that its not for people under 18. Parents need to watch what they buy for their kids. I dont know too many 12 year olds that can afford to buy $3 a can energy drinks.

songbirdtree

I love Red Bull Total Zero but I try not to drink it too too much because I think it makes me bloated.

I would say try going 2-3 weeks without caffeine and then deciding. I did that this summer and it was a major wake up call!

Charmed285

I know it's not good to take and as long as I'm not taking it excessively I'm not worried... I don't drink them all the time, just once in a while(IF THAT) if I MUST and cannot get through the day. I just bought 2 today as I plan(ed?) to pull an all nigher to finish a paper or drink it tomorrow morning. I'm sore now so I don't feel like doing much of anything.....anyway. it taste aweful, and unhealthy, but I'll continue.

*5 hr energy shot*

ETA: coffee and other energy drinks (and I just about tried them all that's carried in my area) doesn't and never worked for me. 5 hr energy is the only one that does (thank god I found someting!) plus, I don't get up early enough to make coffee (not a morning person) and I simply don't know how.

gmallan

I am addicted to coke zero, that's just for general everyday use. I sometimes use caffiene pre-workout and find it makes my workouts better. Before I started taking it I read a bunch of peer review studies about the use of caffiene (pure form) and exercise and found that most of the studies said that it is effective for boosting performance in endurance type activities and to a lesser degree short term high-intensity efforts. I also found some studies saying that taken in tablet form it does not significantly dehydrate you (energy drinks might though). I decided to give it a go and it seems to work for me, especially for longer runs and when I play football.

If you want to have the boost without the crap, take the caffiene and avoid the energy drinks/coffe and the additional sugar/fake sugar and potential dehydration. Usually take about 1/2 an hour before a run to give time for absorption.

Links to a few extracts to give you an idea but there are heaps of studies and the evidence is fairly conclusive

http://europepmc.org/abstract/MED/8426941/reload=0;jsessionid=sd3LJ3lZ6MNsjpkobUdp.6

http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/adis/smd/2001/00000031/00000011/art00002

http://europepmc.org/abstract/MED/12834577

Joshacham

I prefer organic energy drinks.

-6oz purified water
-1 tsp honey
-1 tsp cinammon

Swirl the ingredients together and serve chilled. I have one of these every morning.

100 internets for you.

Cathleenr

I prefer organic energy drinks.

-6oz purified water
-1 tsp honey
-1 tsp cinammon

Swirl the ingredients together and serve chilled. I have one of these every morning.

derp.

darleyschroeder

If you're using energy drinks to wake you up in the morning, then coffee is a lot cheaper and healthier. If you use energy drinks for pre-workouts, then pre-workout supplements would also be cheaper and more effective. Either way, I wouldn't waste my money on them, especially the ones loaded with sugar.

Agreed. Coffee is the way to go.

BarackMeLikeAHurricane

I typically drink 2-5 ultra zero monsters a day. One in the morning, one pre work out, and possibly a few more during the day or if I hit the gym more than once that day I drink another.