Energy Drinks That Won’t Land You In The Emergency Room

The U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration did a study over four years and found that drinking energy drinks led to ten times as many trips to the emergency room. In the United States, sales of energy drinks reached 3.4 billion dollars in 2019 from 2.8 billion dollars in 2015.

An energy drink can make anyone sick, but people younger than 24 seem to be most likely to have a bad response to one. The good news is that there are natural and healthy alternatives to energy drinks and more powerful energy shots that work just as well at giving you more energy without the harmful side effects.

Side Effects of Drinking Energy Drinks and Shots

Energy drinks are now something that a lot of people of all kinds drink. But a lot of energy drinks have a lot of sugar and caffeine in them to give you that boost. Caffeine and sugar are not harmful in small amounts, but they can be very bad for your health if you eat or drink a lot of them.

There are 21 to 34 grams of sugar in an 8-ounce energy drink. This sugar can be sucrose, glucose, or even high-fructose corn syrup. The big trouble starts when people drink two or three energy drinks, which are about 120 to 180 mg of sugar, which is four to six times the daily recommended limit.

There are some studies that say this recommended level may be too high. Researchers at the Mayo Clinic say that drinking energy drinks can cause a worrying rise in resting blood pressure in healthy young people who are not used to drinking a lot of caffeine.

Adults between the ages of 19 and 40 were given either a can of a popular energy drink or a fake drink in the study. Following each group's drink, changes were seen in their heart rate and blood pressure 30 minutes later. The results were also compared between people who drank about one cup of coffee a day and people who drank more than one cup of coffee a day.

Not surprisingly, the people who drank the energy drink had much higher blood pressure than the people who drank the fake. What really got our attention was that people who drank less caffeine had almost twice as much blood pressure rise as people who drank more than one cup of coffee a day.

Also, energy drinks and shots might have ginseng and guarana in them, which can make the effects of caffeine stronger when mixed with sugar. It's not completely clear what other effects chemical ingredients in energy drinks and shots could have, but they could cause more problems.

Here are some of the common symptoms caused by drinking energy drinks and shots:

• Rapid heartbeat
• Muscle tremors
• High blood pressure
• Insomnia
• Heart arrhythmia
• Nervousness
• Irritability
• Seizures
• Tooth decay
• Headaches
• Weight gain

First Things First, Why Are You Tired?

Before you grab an energy drink or shot to get a quick boost, you should think about why you're tired. Chronic insomnia, being sick, not getting enough vitamins or protein, and worry are just a few of the things that can make you tired. If you're tired and don't have much energy, you need to deal with the real cause of your tiredness before you try another quick fix.

Not eating enough whole foods or sugar can make you tired, as can eating too much junk food or sugar. What does your food look like? Try eating more fruits and veggies, and make sure you get enough protein. Protein can come from plants like beans, or it can come from fish or animals that were raised without being harmed. Remember that an energy drink full of sugar and caffeine is not an alternative to a healthy diet.

How are you going to sleep? Every night, if you sleep less than 7 hours, your body will start to wear out and move more slowly. It will be hard to keep going if you don't get enough sleep. Your body will beg for rest. Set a good sleep schedule by going to bed and getting up at the same time every night. Prioritize sleep, and your body will give you steady energy as a prize.

Do you feel like you have no power and are stressed out? If so, you should stop and take the time to figure out where the stress is coming from and how to deal with the things in your life that are making you stressed. Yoga, walking outside in the fresh air, writing in a notebook, deep breathing, and exercise are all great ways to deal with stress.

Natural Energy Drinks and Shots You Can Enjoy

You should start to feel better once you figure out why you're getting tired. When you need a little extra energy, try these natural and healthy options instead of energy drinks and shots, which can be dangerous.

It's really simple to make this drink, and the lemon not only tastes great but also helps your body naturally balance its pH level. Cayenne pepper, which gives this drink its kick, gives you more energy and keeps your heart healthy. Honey that is still raw not only gives you energy quickly, but it is also full of good nutrients and sweet goodness.

Morning Banana Protein Shake

You should drink this tasty shake before you start your busy day. It's full of good for you nutrients and protein to keep your energy level high.

Anytime Energy Shot

This energy shot not only gets you going, but it also helps your immune system. If you think you might get a cold or flu, or if you just need a pick-me-up, drink this shake.