An energy drink is a type of drink containing stimulant compounds, usually caffeine, which is marketed as providing mental and physical stimulation (marketed as “energy”, but distinct from food energy). They may or may not be carbonated and may also contain sugar, other sweeteners, herbal extracts, taurine, and amino acids. They are a subset of the larger group of energy products, which includes bars and gels, and distinct from sports drinks, which are advertised to enhance sports performance. There are many brands and varieties in this drink category.

Coffee, tea and other naturally caffeinated drinks are usually not considered energy drinks. Other soft drinks such as cola may contain caffeine, but are not considered energy drinks either. Some alcoholic drinks, such as Buckfast Tonic Wine, contain caffeine and other stimulants. According to the Mayo Clinic, it is safe for the typical healthy adult to consume a total of 400 mg of caffeine a day. This has been confirmed by a panel of the European Food Safety Authority, which also concludes that a caffeine intake of up to 400 mg per day does not raise safety concerns for adults. According to the ESFA, this is equivalent to 4 cups of coffee (90 mg each) or 2 1/2 standard cans (250 ml) of energy drink (160 mg each/80 mg per serving).^[rx][rx]

Energy drink is a type of beverage that contains stimulant drugs usually caffeine that is marketed to provide physical and mental stimulation. It may or may not be carbonated and also contains sugar and other sweeteners, taurine, herbal extracts, and amino acids. It is a subset of larger energy products that possess gels and bars and vary from sports drinks that are advertised to promote sports performance. There are various varieties and brands of this beverage.

Facts of Energy Drink

Tea, coffee, and other naturally caffeinated beverages are not usually energy drinks. Soft drinks such as cola contain caffeine but are not energy drinks. Alcoholic beverage such as Buckfast Tonic Wine possesses caffeine and also other stimulants. A typical adult should consume upto 400 mg of caffeine a day. A panel of the European Food Safety Authority confirms that intake of caffeine upto 400 mg per day does not boost safety concerns for adults.

Energy drinks provide the effects of sugar and caffeine but little evidence shows a variety of other ingredients provide any effect. Energy drinks affect cognitive performance such as reaction speed and increased attention which is due to caffeine found in it. It provides various functional benefits by promoting alertness and energy. This is due to the ingredients such as caffeine or taurine and glucose. Energy Drink or Hydration drinks can be the wiser choice in situations where you’re already dehydrated.

History

Energy drinks are an active subgroup of the early soft drink industry. Originally Pepsi was marketed to boost energy. The term Coco-Cola is derived from two active ingredients such as coca leaves and kola nuts which are both stimulants. In 1904, spent ones replaced fresh cocoa leaves due to the concern of cocaine use in food products. In 1916, the Coca-Cola Company was pressurized to reduce the amount of caffeine by the federal lawsuit the United States v. Forty Barrels and Twenty Kegs of Coca-Cola. The developments promoted energy drinks.

In 1929, Lucozade Energy was introduced in the UK to aid recovery. In the early 1980s, it was well known as an energy drink to replenish lost energy. Dr. Enuf was the first post-Forty Barrels energy drink that was introduced in America. The origin dates back to 1949 when William Mark Swartz, a Chicago businessman was favored by coworkers in formulating soft drinks loaded with vitamins as an alternative to sugar sodas having zero calories. He developed an energy-boosting drink that contains caffeine, B vitamins, and cane sugar. He partnered with Charles Gordon of Tri-City Beverage for the production and distribution of soda. Still, Dr. Enuf is manufactured in Johnson City, Tennessee, and distributed in the nation.

In the early 1960s, energy drink dated in Japan with a launch of Lipovitan brand. Most of the products of this type in Japan resemble soft drinks and are distributed in small brown glass medicine bottles and cans style for resembling such containers. Nutritional drinks “eiyō drinks” are primarily marketed to salarymen.

In the early 1960s, a South Korean drink ” Bacchus-F ” closely modeled Lipovitan and targeted alike demographic.

Jolt Cola got introduced in 1985 in the United States. The marketing strategy focused on the caffeine content of the drink which means to advance wakefulness. The initial slogan of the drink was “All the sugar and twice the caffeine”.

Just in 1995 was launched PepsiCo which was the first energy drink that was introduced by the US Beverage Company. Pepsi discontinued producing this product in 1999 and later it returned the energy drink with the AMP brand.

Energy drinks were firstly produced by Lisa Company as Power Horse in Europe before Dietrich Mateschitz introduced the Red Bull product which became a bestseller in the 21^st century. Red Bull was developed by Mateschitz which is based on Krating Daeng, a Thai drink. Red Bull became a leading brand in the US after being introduced in 1997 having a market share of 47% in 2005.

From 2002, the trend of packing energy drinks in bigger cans increased. In Canada and US, the maximum caffeine per serving in energy drinks was limited. Manufacturers increased the amount of caffeine by adding multiple servings per container. Popular brands such as Red Bull, Monster, and Hype Energy Drinks could increase the size of the can.

In 2004, an energy shot product which is an offshoot of energy drink was launched with 5-Hour Energy in the US. Energy drink powders or effervescent tablets were introduced in 2007 to create an energy drink by adding it to water.

Energy drinks are also used as drink mixers in which Vodka and Red Bull are a common combination. In the US, Four Loko mix beer with caffeine, and Kahlua is an alcoholic beverage that flavors coffee.

Health Benefits of Energy Drink

Here are some health benefits that energy drink offers:

1. Provides energy

As the name indicates that an intake of this drink provides energy. It promotes wakefulness, alertness, and productivity.

2. Caffeine content

The energy drink has a standardized caffeine amount in each can so that consumers would know the intake of caffeine and maintain safe consumption of caffeine.

3. Delivers caffeine fast

As energy drinks are served cold, they could be consumed fast. Quick consumption results in the caffeine reaching the bloodstream fast.

4. Flavor options

Coffee and tea do not provide flavors so in this case, energy drinks are helpful for people who want to boost caffeine without sipping tea or coffee. Energy drinks provide various flavors as well as options.

5. Provides supplements

Energy drink possesses other ingredients such as B vitamins, taurine, glucuronolactone, and ginseng besides caffeine. These nutrients help to promote its effect.

6. Carbohydrates

Energy drinks contain carbohydrates which is beneficial for those who require endurance and increasing fitness levels. Most of the energy drinks are based on carbs containing 18 to 25 grams of carbohydrate per eight ounces. Carbohydrate replenishes energy storage resulting ineffective performance, energy, and recovery.

7. Replace electrolytes

The sweating loses the water and electrolytes from the body. The deficiency of electrolytes results in lower performance and also dehydration?. People having long-duration sports should have higher concentrations of sodium per liter.

How to store

The shelf life of unopened energy drinks could be extended by keeping away from direct sources of light and heat. Store unopened energy drinks in a cool and dark area. Energy drinks that have been refrigerated continuously will remain at their best quality for about 2 to 4 days after being opened. Generally, unopened energy drinks when stored properly retain their quality for 6 to 9 months when stored at room temperature.

What Else To Drink Along With Energy Drinks

Energy drinks can be consumed every day along with other healthy beverages. A good combination of fluids helps hydrate and energize your body all day long, most especially if you’re very active.

Take a look at the following examples:

• Water: When drinking energy drinks every day, it’s also vital to drink enough water. How many cups of water do you drink a day? It is very important to figure this out so that you know when you need more water. Your body needs at least eight cups a day to stay healthy.
• Coffee: Energy drinks are fine for some people, but there’s nothing like a strong cup of coffee to get you going during the day. You can take it early morning and then take energy drinks after a workout or in the afternoon after a hectic day at work. By doing so, you can train or work out upon arriving home.
• Chamomile Tea: One of the best drinks that are starting to gain popularity is chamomile tea. This tea contains properties that are good for your heart, making it a better choice than coffee. For a superior energy boost, you can take an energy drink in the morning and consume chamomile tea in the afternoon.
• Green Or Black Tea: As far as additional beverages to take along with energy drinks go, it’s always a good idea to include drinks that are high in antioxidants. Green tea or black tea is a popular choice as it’s packed with antioxidants so you can easily get the number of antioxidants you need without drinking too much. You can harness green or black tea benefits by taking it in the morning or in the afternoon, and energy drinks in between.

Tips When Taking Energy Drinks

There are some health benefits to taking energy drinks. For instance, they help increase your metabolism and help prevent weight gain and obesity.

When you take energy drinks, you want to be sure that you choose those that contain the right amount of caffeine and antioxidants. If you want to lose weight and keep it off, the best choice is a decaffeinated product.

Precautions                                                                                                 

• Excessive intake causes irritability, nervousness, sleeplessness, abnormal heart rhythms, increased urination, and dyspepsia.
• Energy drinks should not be taken during exercise.
• It might dehydrate the body.
• Some energy drinks contain sugar that results in weight gain and too much caffeine results in nervousness, irritability, insomnia, rapid heartbeat, and increased blood pressure.

Other Facts                                                                                         

• Four Loko is an alcoholic energy drink which is introduced in 2005 by Phusion Pharmaceuticals.
• In the U.S., the sale of energy drinks increased to 61% since it got introduced.
• Though other energy drinks also exist in the market Red Bull has still maintained its name in the top list and is well known. Globally, its annual sales are around 2 million dollars.
• In 2010, Four Loko is reintroduced after removing taurine, caffeine, and Gauranga in ingredients.
• About 13 deaths were reported as a result of 5-hour energy over the past four years.
• The legislation of Washington State banned energy drinks for person who is under 18 years old.
• Actually, Red Bull was made in Thailand for truck drivers as an energy drink.
• Five people died from 2004 to 2012 with an intake of Monster energy drinks.

References