If you come to Body Sculptors in Louisville, KY, you’ll probably see a number of people touting energy drinks, including zero calorie energy drinks. One of my clients asked me which was healthiest and frankly, there are positives and negatives to both types of drinks. Let me first address the zero calorie drinks. These drinks have no added sugar, so they’re lower in calories. That gives them a lead immediately if you’re trying to lose weight.
What zero calorie drinks do have are artificial sweeteners.
There’s a lot of talk about the negative health benefits of artificial sweeteners. In some research, it even suggests they actually may lead to weight gain. There’s a host of research on the safety of artificial sweeteners and a group of people who shouldn’t use them, due to sensitivity and side effects. Some research actually shows that sweeteners like Aspartame can cause headaches and even depression in people with those sensitivities. They also may cause dental erosion, due to a higher acidity.
Choose occasional use, not consistent use.
If you’re using energy drinks to replace good sleep, you’re putting a strain on your body. While occasional use won’t hurt, it’s the repeated daily use that causes problems. Most of these drinks contain more caffeine than a cup of coffee and can lead to digestive issue, heartburn and jitters. Read the label carefully.
Whether its zero calorie or full calorie, always read the label to see benefits and drawbacks.
Some energy drinks tout other ingredients that are supposed to help mental focus, like CoQ10 or super creatine. Normally this is just a marketing ploy, since the amounts in the drink are too low to create any improvement. The nutritional content should also be compared. Some will have higher amounts of vitamin B3, B6, B12 or vitamin C and minerals. The amount of sodium is particularly important, so compare those also.
- If you’re working out to help your health, including lowering your blood pressure, be aware that some energy drinks are extremely high in sodium. One can may contain as much as 150 mg.
- Getting adequate sleep is the best option for energy, but if you’re drinking an energy drink to make your workout better, consider a cup of coffee instead. If you drink it for more energy, try water. You’ll be surprised at what a good pick-me-up it is.
- Be aware that over consumption of anything isn’t healthy, including energy drinks. Limit yourself and use both regular and zero calorie drinks only occasionally.
- At Body Sculptors, we can help you boost your energy with both a healthy diet and a program of regular exercise. You’ll feel the difference in no time and won’t feel the need for energy drinks.
Contact us today at Body Sculptors Personal Training