I’m from Loma Linda, California, a small city known as the only Blue Zone in America.
Energy drinks have become popularized through social media over the years.
Energy drinks can disrupt your sleep and your appetite One of the main ingredients in many energy drinks is caffeine.
In addition to caffeine and sugar, energy drinks may include other stimulants such as guarana and taurine.
For my clients, I always recommend water, green tea, herbal teas, coconut water and kombucha as great alternatives for energy drinks.
Being the only Blue Zone in America, my hometown is Loma Linda, California, a small city. Residents may live up to ten years longer than people in other parts of the country, according to studies.
My upbringing and the importance of nutrition and health in my Loma Linda neighborhood have shaped a lot of my work to this day.
Drawing from the concepts of longevity and Blue Zones research, I advise my clients to prioritize a healthy diet, consistent joyful movement, the development of constructive coping strategies for stress resolution, and sufficient sleep.
Ultimately, I want to help my clients recognize the foods that fuel them and steer clear of highly processed and nutrient-deficient foods.
Over time, social media has helped make energy drinks more widely known. They’re frequently promoted as easy ways to increase energy, fuel before a workout, and sharpen focus.
However, this is the reason I, a dietitian, suggest using caution:.
1. Energy drinks have been shown to interfere with appetite and sleep.
Caffeine is a common ingredient found in energy drinks. Although it can enhance focus and alertness, consuming too much of it can have negative effects like elevated blood pressure, anxiety, and accelerated heart rate.
It may interfere with sleep cycles, which may cause exhaustion and an increased need for these drinks.
There is evidence to suggest that caffeine suppresses appetite. After consuming caffeinated beverages, many of my clients have reported feeling less of an appetite for meals.
An energy drink is not a meal and should not be used in place of one, even though it might make you feel fuller for a short while.
2. Energy drinks have been shown to cause inflammation and blood sugar to spike.
Approximately thirty grams of sugar are present in each serving of an energy drink can. Excessive consumption of sugar can aggravate inflammation and cause dental issues, among other health concerns.
Energy drinks might also contain taurine and guarana in addition to sugar and caffeine. Although the combined effects of these ingredients and caffeine have not been thoroughly studied, they may still present additional health risks even though they are generally acknowledged as safe.
3. Your mental and physical well-being may be impacted by energy drinks.
Studies have linked regular energy drink consumption to elevated stress, anxiety, and depression symptoms as well as a significant rise in norepinephrine, a stress hormone that may cause elevated blood pressure and heart rate.
There is a wide range of individual reactions to energy drinks. Your body’s response to these beverages can be influenced by a number of factors, including age, medication use, and underlying health conditions.
Given this, you should always get medical advice before starting a regular energy drink regimen, particularly if you have any underlying medical conditions.
The best substitutes for energy drinks that I suggest to my clients are water, green tea, herbal teas, coconut water, and kombucha.
My best recommendation is to think about talking to a registered dietitian about your eating habits and lifestyle if you find yourself in constant need of energy boosts. This can assist you in discovering a more wholesome and long-lasting connection between food and your body.
Eliza Cheng works as a nutritionist and dietitian in California. Her experience includes working in eating disorder treatment, including intensive outpatient hospitalization and partial hospitalization for children, teens, and adults. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics from Loma Linda University. Check out Our Nourished Bodies for more information, and follow her on Instagram at @ournourishedbodies.
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