Sep

17

08

Caffeinated Beverages: To Drink or not to Drink?

Posted by Sara at 1:48 pm

I live on an energy drink or more a day, yet I still feel tired by the end of the day, restlessly tired. I have trouble sleeping and feel fatigued a majority of the time. A lot of people tell me that my energy drinks are bad for me, but I have been drinking a Monster or Rock Star everyday for a couple of years now. I honestly can say I am hooked, or better yet, addicted!

However, lately I have been taking notice towards my body and I want to get back into shape, inside and out, which includes watching what I put into my body.

So, I started doing some research. It turns out that most energy drinks have an average of 50 mg more caffeine than brewed coffee. I know a majority of us have found ourselves addicted to energy drinks or coffee, depending on it to get through our hectic days. Although these energy boosting substances may do a great job at providing a quick perk for the day, overconsumption of them will provide the opposite; it can make you feel tired and worn out. So in essence, the energy drinks and lattes we love so much are actually making us just as tired, if not more, after it wears off within of couple hours. So, if you are requiring a caffeinated drink every morning or afternoon to get you through your day, you may be drinking too many all together.

What is a healthy amount of caffeine to consume? Most experts suggest consuming about 300 mg a day, but no more. That would be about three cups of coffee, or less than two energy drinks. It is a healthy amount of caffeine, which is just enough to stimulate your body for the concentration it needs to get through a busy work day.

Consuming more than 300 mg of caffeine a day can cause those “jitters” some of us have experienced. It can make you irritable, sleepless, and may even trigger anxiety and diarrhea. (I know, gross!)

However, when choosing between coffee and energy drinks, you may be better off with coffee, in moderation of course. According to Webmd.com, coffee has been proven to lower your risks of diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, and colon cancer. In addition, coffee can lift your mood, treat headaches, manage asthma, and lower your risks of cavities. A healthy amount of coffee may help you achieve a well-balanced body.

How much caffeine do you consume per day?

Stay tuned! I will have a follow-up post, explaining the alternatives to caffeine overconsumption.

Photo credits: GameSpot.com and http://neuro.amygdala.net

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Posted in: Fat-Free Body | Fitness | Health | Men's Fashion and Lifestyle

Comments (8)

8 Comments »

  1. LipGloss666

    September 17, 2008 at 6:58 pm

    i recommend Zipfizz. it has vitamins and it makes you feel awake without that energy drink jitter. plus it does not make you crash. caffeine does not work for me. Zipfizz does. you can get it at drugstore.com or gnc.

  2. kat

    September 17, 2008 at 10:08 pm

    Good to know that having a regular cup of joe a day isn’t so bad!!!

  3. Jennifer

    September 18, 2008 at 10:55 am

    I definitely got those jitters yesterday! Two Monster energy drinks are way too much me, I’ll stick a cup of coffee from now on.
    Great post!

  4. Sara Bear

    September 18, 2008 at 12:59 pm

    Thanks for the tip Lipgloss. I will have to try that. :)

  5. Wendy

    September 18, 2008 at 3:50 pm

    Great article. I love coffee and have at times over 3 cups per day. But, I can honestly say that when trying the energy drinks – WOW I could have run around the world. I was very jumpy and a little impatient! Knowing the benefits you listed do make me feel better about my consumption. Again Thanks for the great article.

  6. Pat

    September 18, 2008 at 9:06 pm

    I will advise, please becareful if you suffer at all with migranes. Any type of caffeine is a contributing factor to migranes.
    If I were more “puter savy”, I would post the information I have received from my Neurologist on the subject.

  7. Sarah

    September 19, 2008 at 7:24 am

    I usually consume one energy drink a day, plus a Starbucks drink. So, I am sure I am well above the 300 mg a day limit! But, the energy drink in the morning really does perk me up a bit. I don’t necessarily like drinking them everyday, but I feel I need one to perk up. Great post, I am curious to see the alternatives to caffeine overconsumption. =)

  8. Leda

    December 11, 2008 at 9:41 am

    best energy drink never come with a dangerous composition.Energy drink must help to boost the energy in our body.

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