Energy drinks are more popular than ever, but what are the risks associated with consuming these beverages? They are advertised as providing more energy than a typical drink, providing intense hydration and fluid replenishment, for athletes and regular people alike.

“Energy drinks can be deceiving and hard to resist,” said BodylogicMD physician Dr. Deuson. “The amount of actual “energy” (measured in calories) in these drinks is quite low, even lower than the amount of energy found in regular soft drinks.”

Caffeine Crash

While energy drinks do provide short-term energy to the body, they do not provide long-term, usable energy. The caffeine and additives found in energy drinks cause a spike in blood sugar levels and provide short-term nergy to the body. This causes the inevitable “crash” in energy after the sugar levels wear down.

Additionally, there are adverse effects associated with excess caffeine consumption including:

• Nervousness
• Irritability
• Sleeplessness
• Increased urination
• Abnormal heart rhythms
• Upset stomach

This can be potentially dangerous when other stimulants, such as ginseng, are added to the drink – these stimulants can enhance the effects of caffeine. Other ingredients, such as guarana, contain extra caffeine on top of the original sugar levels.

The Energy Drink Hydration Myth

Adequate hydration can never be achieved by consuming energy drinks. The amount of usable fluid in an energy drink is negligible, since it is mostly sugar and caffeine. Additionally, since caffeine is a diuretic, it causes fluid loss.

The high sugar concentrations in energy drinks slow fluid absorption into the blood system, increasing the probability of dehydration. When a high level of sugar is in the blood stream, the body is not able to provide fluid to cells. This is a precursor to dehydration because when you consume an energy drink, there is not enough fluid in the body to dilute the high concentration of sugar in that beverage.

“Energy drinks should never be used while exercising, yet they are often promoted as excellent beverages to drink during exercise. The combination of fluid loss from sweating and the diuretic factor of caffeine can leave the user severely dehydrated,” say BodyLogicMD affiliated physicians.

H2O – The Original Energy Drink

Water is the “original energy drink.” Consuming enough water for your size actually helps increase energy levels by providing adequate fluid to the cells. This keeps body processes “on task” so you don’t become sluggish or fatigued.

The human body is anywhere from 55 percent to 78 percent water, depending on body size. To function properly and maintain optimum health, the body requires between one and seven liters of water per day to avoid dehydration. The precise amount needed by any one person depends on level of activity and climate factors like temperature and humidity. However, most healthcare professionals feel that six to seven glasses of water (approximately two liters) daily is the minimum amount of water the human body needs to maintain proper hydration.

Here are four easy ways to integrate more water into your diet.

• Always carry a water bottle
• If plain water doesn’t appeal to you, purchase one of the many water mix-insavailable on the market like Crystal Light or Kellogs.
• Use water in your cooking
• Eat fruits and vegetables with a high water content

So put down that energy drink and grab a glass of all-natural H2O.