Comments on: Energy drinks: Beverages with an unhealthy boost

By: Andrea

Andrea — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 19:45:00 +0000

I’m reading this whilst sipping on my newest (only 2 days) micro-addiction: Monster Lo-Carb.

Mmm, herbal stimulants….

By: Paul

Paul — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 19:53:19 +0000

Other than for people who are sensitive to stimulants, there’s nothing in that article suggesting a health risk.

Sugar isn’t ‘bad’ for you (HFCS isn’t, either), nor is caffeine, it’s about the big picture. If you are downing 6 Monsters a day, you might be doing yourself some harm. If you drink one on the way to the gym 4 times a week, probably not hurting yourself at all.

By: Mathew Clark

Mathew Clark — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 11:11:39 +0000

The information you have provided regarding energy drinks is absolutely right, it is important to find food and beverages which can help you maintain a healthy lifestyle…..

By: Bobby

Bobby — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 16:39:16 +0000

Please be smart and actually read the nutrition facts on the cans before lumping all “energy drinks” into the same category. I drink, and market, an energy drink called XS that has 0 carbs, 0 sugars, 83mg of caffeine, and only about 8 calories. Our energy source is vitamin B12. While I will agree with you that the majority of “energy drinks” are concentrated doses of sugar, there are some healthy alternatives if you are really looking.

By: Trishy

Trishy — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 17:25:59 +0000

Caffeine is not, by itself, bad for you. Like drugs such as alcohol, it can safely be consumed in moderation. It is pretty well established at this point that tea (especially green, white, and red) has many health benefits, and I recently read a study arguing the health benefits of coffee. A summary of some of these studies is here:

http://men.webmd.com/features/coffee-new-health-food

The “coffee is bad for you” line of thinking is just an old wives tale at this point, with little foundation in actual knowledge.

The biggest issue with these energy drinks seems to be the shear volume of caffeine in some of them, which may cause issues if you are sensitive to it. Some of them also come with a lot of sugar and herbs with unknown side effects. Like for everything else, read the labels and make you sure you know what you’re consuming.

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:57:32 +0000

Not surprised at all, really. If nothing else, the sheer amount of sugar in those things can’t be good for you.

I turn to coffee and tea for an energy/concentration boost, which probably isn’t that great for me either — caffeine is caffeine — but at least I can regulate the calories in those. A little skim milk and stevia won’t hurt, or even a teaspoon of sugar as opposed to seven.

By: Jim

Jim — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 23:59:49 +0000

I’ve always relied on those drinks for years for that extra boost and mental focus in the gym until I read recently that stimulants like ephedrine and caffeine cause a spike in cortisol which is pretty much the opposite of what I’m looking for.

Now I’m trying to figure out if the intensity I’m losing is worth it.