I get many questions asking whether the plethora of energy drinks that have hit the market in recent years have any serious nutritional value. They are very popular with the youth and the slick advertising presents the product as being the super charge you need to destroy the competition.

Four questions are consistently raised about the effects of energy drinks
.
(i) Do these energy drinks actually have nutritional value?
(ii) Do theses drinks actually raise your energy levels?
(iii) Is there some sort of magical energy formula?
(iv) Will these drinks assist with weight loss?
The first and foremost consideration is to actually look at what these drinks actually consist of. The basic energy drink facts are that most of these drinks are just carbonated water loaded up with belly-fattening high fructose corn syrup, a few B vitamins, the amino acid taurine and caffeine cleverly designed to have some degree of nutritional value.

The bottom line is that high fructose corn syrup is simply empty calories that will go immediately to your waist line. In fact, this corn syrup is actually worse than refined sugar. Suppose you go for the low sugar or sugar free drinks as an alternative. Then you are consuming the harmful chemicals in the artificial sweeteners.

An additional problem associated with artificial sweeteners is that there is research to suggest that artificial sweeteners lead people to consume greater calories and add more weight in the long run. That in itself requires a separate article to explain but the bottom line is that artificial sweeteners and artificial chemicals are not good for your body.

As for the caffeine, the caffeine itself does not provide energy. Carbs, protein and fats are technically the only calories that provide energy. Caffeine does, however, stimulate the central nervous system which increases alertness and wakes some people up. If you are a regular coffee drinker you probably won't receive get too much benefit from the energy drink anyhow.

Rather than consume some caffeine carbonated drink, I would much prefer to get my caffeine naturally from sources such as white, green or oolong teas which also provide a healthy source of antioxidants.
As for the added taurine and B-vitamins, you can get those from almost any protein source. Vitamins are best obtained naturally from any real food sources, not artificially via a carbonated drink. The body just utilizes natural vitamins better than some fake source out of a drink.

So when it comes to energy drink nutrition, your are much better off creating your own source. You can create your own great blend using natural ingredients such as iced unsweetened oolong, white or green tea, pomegranate juice, a little bit of pure berry and some non-denatured whey protein.

I hope this clears up any myths on energy drink facts.

Do you want to learn more about nutrition and the secrets to getting a lean and hard body?

An article on healthy fast food.