Energy drinks have taken a massive leap over the last few years. From being a vague concept to getting into everyone’s house, it’s safe to say that they’re one of the top trending products in the beverages industry right now.
Despite the popularity that they’ve gained, energy drinks are still a vague subject for many, which makes many people fear them after hearing some big words that many news and authoritative websites and brands are throwing.
“They’re full of caffeine and sugar,” “They will increase your blood pressure,” “They can kill you,” just to name a few. But behind all those scary claims lie some facts that everybody should know. Here are the top ten fast facts that you probably didn’t know about energy drinks.
If it’s your first time reading about such information, make sure to spread the word among your friends and family!
10. The Safety of Energy Drinks Has Already Been Established
Yup. Many people confuse energy drinks for steroids and illegal beverages, which is a huge misconception. The safety of the different ingredients of energy drinks has been established by scientific research and regulatory agencies around the globe, including the European Food Safety Authority, which confirmed the safety of these beverages after an extensive review. So, next time someone claims that energy drinks aren’t safe, throw them some scientific papers to read!
9. Energy Drinks Are Regulated by the FDA and FTC
Hate to break it to you, but Energy drinks aren’t smuggled into the US inside potato trucks. Energy drinks and their ingredients are regulated by the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration), while their advertising is governed by the FTC (U.S. Federal Trade Commission), making them no different than your canned tuna or baked potatoes.
8. Energy Drinks Aren’t the Beverage with the Highest Caffeine Intake
A 16-ounce can of an energy drink typically contains 160 to 240 milligrams of caffeine, which is around half of what a coffeehouse coffee of the same size contains. You’ll never see your morning coffee the same way again. Not only that, but on the caffeine intake scale, energy drinks come after coffee, tea, iced tea, and even hot chocolate.
7. You Can Check any Energy Drink’s Ingredients Right off the Can
Energy drink brands don’t hide the ingredients of their products as most people assume, they’re actually displayed right on the label and can be checked on the company’s website. Too lazy to open the site? Just call the company through its toll-free number. People who believe in conspiracy theories will say that data can be altered, but it actually isn’t, as the advertising and the ingredients are, as mentioned above, regulated by the FTC and the FDA.
6. Energy Drinks Aren’t the Main Caffeine Source in the American Diet
According to a report published by the FDA back in 2009 and updated in 2010 then in 2012, Energy Drinks merely contribute to 2 percent of the caffeine intake in the American diet. The report showed that most of the caffeine consumption for young adults ages 14 to 21 years comes from beverages other than energy drinks. Knowing that this age group consumes around the third of the American caffeine intake, it’s safe to say that energy drinks aren’t the main caffeine source in the American diet, as opposed to what many people believe.
Energy drinks aren’t as ubiquitous as you thought after all, huh?
5. Energy Drinks Do Have Health Benefits
Yes, consuming large quantities of any energy drink will result in obesity and other side effects, but drinking them moderately can get you a plethora of health benefits. Energy drinks contain several healthy ingredients, such as taurine, an amino acid that is known to stimulate muscle contractions, ginseng, a plant extract that helps with red blood cell growth, and B vitamins, which are the building blocks for red blood cells.
Those ingredients have also been proven to stimulate alertness, improve reaction time, and enhance productivity, which makes energy drinks the perfect supplements for both your physical and mental needs.
4. Energy Drinks Don’t Cause Cardiac Arrests
Most of the side effects of energy drinks are actually related to caffeine, not the beverage itself. In other words, what applies to energy drinks applies for coffee and tea as well, but with energy drinks, you know how much caffeine you’re consuming, making it the safest option among caffeine sources.
Remember to keep it safe and consume your energy drinks within the safe, healthy limits, as going over the top with any food or beverage can result in severe consequences.
3. Energy Drinks Come in Different Flavors
The different flavors of energy drinks give them the edge over other energy beverages, as coffee is not everyone’s cup of tea (pun intended).
No more forcing yourself to gulp down stale black coffee, just grab a can of Monster with the flavor of your liking (Chocolate, Lime, Tonic, Sugarfree, Bitter Lemon, and Cranberry are available), and you’re good to go.
Table could not be displayed.2. Energy Drinks Can Be Sugar-Free
Many brands offer sugar-free versions of their drinks, which rely solely on caffeine to boost one’s energy and increase performance, rather than relying on both caffeine and calories.
So, if you’re on a diet and want to get through your afternoon meeting with ease, you can always grab a can of diet energy drink, such as Red Bull Sugarfree, and impress your boss and pairs with your spirit performance.
1. Energy Drinks Aren’t a Modern Age Supplement
If you thought that energy drinks are a modern invention, think again. The ancient Greeks and Romans had their own kind of energy drink, a mixture of vinegar and water called Posca, but it wasn’t served in fancy containers as it’s the case today, since Posca was a beverage or drink of soldiers, slaves, and lower classes, rather than athletes and entrepreneurs looking to boost their performance.
Energy drinks can be quite fascinating, and they’re surely an excellent supplement for those seeking an energy boost for their athletic, educational, or professional performance.
