Energy Drinks

[Greg G]

Energy Drinks... Good or bad???

I have been drinking the new "Von Dutch" energy drink. I was wondering if this stuff is horrible for you or if its a good energy boost with no side effects...
Im talking about Von Dutch, Monster, Red Bull, ect...

[JoshDunn]

the problem with energy drinks in general is the high sugar content. It spikes your insulin levels and also means you get the "crash".

You can get the no sugar ones but then they have removed the sugar which is the energy so why waste your money.

Green tea, caffeine pill, or black coffee will do the trick better.

[Anubis]

I'm unfortunately addicted to the energy drink SoBe No Fear Sugar Free. Even though it's sugar free it still gives me a kick in the ass, but that's probably from the 200mg of caffeine it contains (equivalent of more than 4 cans of coke).

Caffeine can lead to hypertension, palpitations, nervousness, anxiety, dependence etc. I'd say if you don't actually need the caffeine (which really no body does) then don't mess with it.

I feel like such a hypocrit because I'm drinking one as we speak [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] But I will wean myself off caffeine again sometime soon! Hell, we all have our demons.

[Kevin Larrabee]

The energy drinks are a waste of money. Pop a caffeine pill (200 mg) 30 minutes before you hit the gym. That will do the trick.

-Kevin

[Ogedei]

Personally I have a bottle of caffeine pills at home. I tried taking them for a couple of weeks before going to the gym. Initially they seemed to give me alot of energy. Over the two week period I took them I can't say they always helped me out, infact I would say they typically did not help me. As Anubis said, no one actually needs caffeine. If you can get away from it, do it.

I still drink some caffeine in the form of coffee, but my diet soda consumption is way down due to it's damaging nature to the teeth.

Og.

[BFG]

Oat smoothie and a banana packs a punch anyday and gets ya fired up for the gym

Word of warning on the energy drinks tho I used to do 3 hours of cardio classes then have energy drinks and go swimming. The problem was the specifc types of sugar they use combined with Chlorine are fatal for your teeth and strip the enamel like no-bodies business. End result huge dentist bill and lots of crowns. Not scare mongering just saying be aware.

Wasnt there a recent study that proved the isotonic drinks a waste of time as well??????

[The Smaniac]

I find that caffeine before a workout makes me jittery and unfocused. I have been trying to curb my caffeine consumption (used to drink gallons of black coffee), but I still keep some sugar-free Redbull and coffee on hand for occasional late nights or afternoon pick-me-ups. They only work for me if I don't use them too frequently, though.

I agree with BFG; my energy levels have gone way up while caffeine consumption has gone way down since getting my diet in line. Calories are energy, and slow-digesting calories consumed regularly makes for steady energy levels throughout the day.