Are There Any Healthy Energy Drinks?

Do healthy energy drinks really exist? If you listen to all the ads for these products that are everywhere these days, you’d probably be led to believe these are wholesome liquids that are very good for you. The drinks themselves are heavily marketed to high school and college students, as well as to athletes. Some schools are even selling them in vending machines. But are they really good for you, or should you keep yourself (and your kids!) well away from these new-fangled liquids?

Energy Drinks Keep You Alert but do they have Drawbacks?

The fact is, these drinks do give you energy and help you to remain alert, which can be beneficial for college students who have a tendency to stay out partying all night and then get up and go to class early the next morning. Some of them have added nutrients to make them appear healthier. However, despite their small list of benefits, there are many drawbacks to these so-called "healthy energy drinks."

The Downsides of Energy Drinks

Most of them contain a lot of caffeine and sugar, which is not what your body needs for sustained energy. You’ll feel perky for a bit, and then crash hard. Some brands also contain additional stimulants such as guarana and even ephedrine. If you drink too much of one of these brands, you could end up in the hospital.  These also really can be dangerous if you are mixing them with alcohol as well as alcohol has the opposite affect (it slows your body down). 

All the caffeine also promotes dehydration and sleeplessness. You’ll usually feel pretty jittery after drinking them, too. You can actually suffer from caffeine intoxication if you drink more than a couple of these beverages, and that can impair your driving just as much as alcohol. Plus, all that caffeine and sugar wreaks havoc on your blood sugar and adrenal glands. You really want to avoid this if you can.

Do Health Energy Drinks Exist?

So, are there healthy energy drinks? Yes, there are, but you won’t find them in a store, at least not a regular one. You might find a few in health food stores. However, the best sources are direct marketing companies, such as the company that sells Viv (a legitimate healthy energy drink). You can find beverages that provide stamina and real health benefits by looking online. Give them a try, and you’ll see the difference right away. Your body will thank you.