Beat Rising Energy Costs
-
In this current economical crisis the whole world is facing, it would seem very logical for me to discuss this, and especially with a title like ‘Beat rising energy costs.’ Of course, energy bills are increasing, but this is not what I’m going to be talking about.
I am going to be discussing so-called “energy drinks”, with the “cost” being your HEALTH!
There was recently an issue bought in in my workplace regarding energy drinks, and on the two sides of the story were the medical team where I work, and the energy drink companies. Today I am going to tell you I am not a fan of energy drinks, and they can in fact be detrimental to your health – quite the opposite of the results you hope to get from drinking them.
When I use the term “energy drinks” I am specifically discussing the drinks that are advertised as having benefits to sporting performance, such as Lucozade, Gatorade, Red Bull, etc. Let’s start by noting that one of the most disturbing things here is that in nature a “red bull” is a dying bull!! Maybe this drink does give you wings, and flies you off into another realm?!
Many people that exercise (and many more that don’t) are now drinking “electrolyte” drinks called “ergogenic aids” to replace electrolytes that are allegedly depleted during workouts. Something I find quite shocking is that many gyms and personal trainers actually give these to their clients before, during and after their workouts.
There are three problems with using these drinks as a rehydration solution. First, most soft drinks are diuretics, meaning they squeeze liquids out of the body, thus exacerbating dehydration instead of correcting it. Second, most people actually lose few electrolytes during exercise. After exercise the body is usually in an electrolyte load having lost more fluids than electrolytes. If sweating has been profuse, electrolytes can be replaced by drinking a lacto-fermented beverage or pure mineral water, which contains a proper ratio of minerals (electrolytes), and by eating a healthy diet containing Celtic sea salt. Third, when we give sugar-laden drinks to dehydrated kids, the high sugar content requires that blood be sent to the stomach to digest it. This fluid shift can lower the blood volume in other parts of the body making them more susceptible to cramps and heat-related illnesses. (Ref: www.westonaprice.org).
Often this hinders energy production, rather than increasing it!
When you break down the contents of many of these drinks, the primary ingredients are caffeine and sugar in the form of glucuronolactone, sucrose and glucose. So the it is obvious that energy drinks will provide a burst of energy. However, this is not a lasting effect. Further, the effects of the drink will be similar to that of drinking a cup of coffee or a can of soda in that when the effect wears off, you’ll feel yourself slowing down and will likely crave another can (or cup) to boost your energy once again. As many likely know, it can be a vicious cycle.
This doesn’t even mention that these drinks contain approximately 14 teaspoons of sugar – 1 teaspoon will actually inhibit your immune system for 4 hours! Some of the drinks also contain aspartame, a sweetener famed for having no calories but detrimental effects on the brain that create cravings and make you eat more calorie-dense food anyway. At 102 degrees (temperature) it also converts to liquid alcohol in the body – I think most people in the gym get their body up to this temperature and very few of them would train with alcohol in their systems normally.
Despite this, energy drinks are very popular, but I suggest you try to cut them out of your diet as your health will depend on it.
If you are worried about your own health and energy levels, concentrate on eating a whole food diet, drinking plenty of quality water, sleeping, exercise and having goals to live for which should be enough to make you want to wake up. And if you are genuinely worried about the economy it might be interesting to know that last year in America alone $3.4 billion dollars was spent on “energy drinks” alone.
Maybe that will energise you to make the right choices!
Leave a Reply
Recent Comments