Nearly everyone who has ever had a full-time job reached that point in a workday where you hit the wall.Around five or six hours into the workday, you suddenly realize you have no idea what you have been typing on your computer for the past five minutes, or you feel your head begin to nod forward while performing your job on the assembly line which you have done time and after time over the course of the day.
Since your boss informed you last week that mid afternoon naps are completely out of the question, you might decide to turn to a caffeinated beverage or energy drink to push you to the work day’s finish line.
But are those types of beverages really good for you?
Brandi Green, a dietician at Citizens Baptist Medical Center, said there are no magic ingredients used in energy drinks to produce that boost in focus. Most contain large amounts of caffeine, glucose, sugar, amino acids and guarana, which contains a high amount of caffeine.
“You don’t ever want to get too much caffeine,” Green said. “It may give you a boost when exercising, but your blood pressure could be affected.”
Green said caffeine is fine in moderate amounts such as a soft drink or cup of coffee a day but a lot more than that might not be healthy. Pregnant women or people with serious heart conditions should avoid it as much as possible.
If you drink a high amount of caffeine every day, Green suggested reducing your intake gradually would probably be the best way to do it. Once you are able to wean yourself off caffeine, you will not miss it, Green said.
Dr. Rick Jotani, who practices at Northside Medical Associates in Pell City, agrees that anything over a couple of cups of coffee a day may not be good for your health. He estimated a cup of coffee contains between 100 and 200 milligrams of caffeine.
“Those who are used to caffeine can go into withdrawal without it. Headache, fatigue and low energy, all of those things are associated with caffeine withdrawal,” Jotani said.
There are several side effects that might accompany the body taking in too much caffeine as well. Possible side effects include people becoming jittery, an irregular heartbeat, insomnia, acid reflux or gastritis or other side effects.
Jotani pointed out most energy drinks were banned from using the stimulant ephedra around four years ago by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. In its place the drinks now load up with caffeine.
Jotani also said be careful when using over-the-counter energy boosters such as pills.
“The manufacturer may not be completely honest,” Jotani said. “They can claim to give you energy, but there is no regulatory enforcement behind the claims. Always take their claims with a grain a salt.”
Manufacturers of over-the-counter medicines claiming to be all natural with their energy supplements could be less than accurate with their ingredient list, as well, since the manufacturers are not regulated, Jotani said.
Both Green and Jotani agree there are better ways to keep your energy level up instead of resorting to caffeine.
“Get a great night’s sleep, aerobic exercise for 30 to 40 minutes a day and three to five days a week, and eating a well-rounded diet will help give you energy,” Jotani said.
