The Energy Drink Blog

Did you know that the human body is more that 65% water? Everything from our blood, muscles, brain, and bones are comprised of a significant percentage of water. Water is a vital element for sustaining life and body functions. Unfortunately most of us do not drink nearly enough water and are dehydrated. Dehydration can have a negative effect on our bodily systems. To further illustrate this read the following.

Often times thirst can be mistaken for hunger. If we feel hungry, it is often that we are not hungry, but rather thirsty. A way to be sure that we are giving our body adequate hydration is to drink water even when we are not thirsty. Usually, once we realize that we are thirsty, it is too late and we are already dehydrated.

Aside from keeping us hydrated, drinking water is also necessary for those who are trying to lose weight. Drinking water not only helps us to feel full, but it also helps to flush our body of toxins and helps aid fiber in the digestion process.

If you often feel tired, it could be because you are not hydrated enough. When there is not enough water in the blood, it slows down the body functions and often leaves us feeling sluggish and tired. Headaches and constipation can also result from dehydration.

To prevent dehydration from occurring, it is recommended that ½ to ¾ of an ounce of water be consumed daily per pound of body weight. This will ensure that the body is properly flushed of toxins and waste. Staying hydrated will also help keep the skin looking young and plump and full. Water can also give definition to muscles.

If drinking water seems too bland, water can be mixed with low calorie and low sugar mixes, as well as whey protein. For those who want to drop some pounds, hoodia extract can be mixed with water to suppress the appetite.

In today’s fast paced society a lot of people lack the necessary energy to keep up with their schedules. Everything from work to taking care of the kids can take its toll on the human body. Given that we can’t pause the day and relax, a lot of us rely upon energy drinks to help us through the day.

Just as with everything else, when it comes down to purchasing energy drinks there are many options. However, many energy boosting beverages which are available today are not good for your body or your waistline. Majority of these drinks are able to offer the consumer an instant buzz mostly due to the fact that they are made up of pure sugar. An eight ounce can have up to 16 teaspoons of sugar. Therefore, not only are we drinking hundreds of empty calories, but we are also setting ourselves up for a sugary crash. When we consume sugar infused products are blood glucose levels tend to spike up quickly and they tend to drop down in the same fashion. Which means that two hours after your energy drink you will be feeling just as bad, or maybe even worse, than prior to the consumption of the beverage. So what’s a consumer to do? Are there any energy boosting beverages out there which are not a threat to our health and our weight? And if so, what makes up the best energy drink?

Well, the best energy drink will contain zero to no sugar, and it will rely mostly on vitamins and minerals to provide the energy boost. Let’s face it, none of us want to put 300 milligrams of caffeine into our bodies with one eight ounce drink, so why not choose an energy drink which combines natural resources and vitamins to give us that very needed boost in the midst of a hectic day.

Judging from the covers of health magazines on grocery stands everywhere, it is certain that Hollywood does not have a shortage of detox diets. Based on the headlines, everybody who is somebody in Tinsletown is or has been on an extreme detox diet. With so much popularity both in Hollywood and anywhere USA, why is it that these diets are popular and is it possible that these diets live up to all their hype?  

Detox diets are popular for a number of reasons. Detox diets often promise to rid the body of harmful elements that are present in our systems or offer a route to quick weight loss. Since most of these diets involve extreme measures, can they actually work?

As of late, the lemon water detox diet has become popular. Promising weight loss of up to 20 pounds in two weeks, the lemon water diet involves drinking a minimum of 6-8 glasses of ice water mixed with lemon juice, maple sugar and ginger everyday. While this may sound like some of the energy drinks on the market, it is designed to help someone lose weight fast.

Those who commit to the diet, often experience a feeling of energy. This energetic sensation can be all in the head as one assumes that they are doing something good for their health. This feeling is one that often does not last long. Without proper nutrition, a person’s health can severely diminish. Abiding to a detox diet over longer periods of time can lead to anemia, irregular heart beat and low blood sugar, all problems that can eventually lead to life-threatening problems.

Finally those who partake in a detox diet are often unable to maintain weight loss. It may seem like a miracle that all the pounds melt away, however that is often short lived. Since extreme stress is put on the body, people often gain back all the weight that is lost on these extreme diets.

Everyone could use a little energy boost every now and then. Sometimes it is difficult to find the best energy drink out there and other times we just don’t have the time to search for the most effective energy boosters. It is in situations like these when we solely rely on the oomph we gain from various foods. Knowing which foods to consume for energy purposes is key. Once we have that figured out, we can start seeing improvements in our alertness, focus, and vigor.

When we can’t get our hands on energy drinks, carb rich foods are great at improving our liveliness. For instance, you can try half of a whole wheat English muffin with fruit spread to boost your serotonin levels. Another food which improves energy is dark chocolate. Dark chocolate is packed with caffeine and theobromine, both of which are great at improving our alertness and our focus. It has also been said that fluid filled foods are a great pick-me-up food. What this means is you should avoid consuming dry packaged snacks such as pretzels, chips, and crackers. Try consuming more fresh produce and foods which swell during the cooking process (such as pasta).

And the last but certainly not least way to increase energy is to drink more fluids. One specific fluid which aids in improving mental fatigue and alertness is tea. Tea contains caffeine and the amino acid known as L-theanine. These two ingredients combined can decrease mental fatigue, improve alertness, improve memory, and improve reaction time. So if you ever feel like your energy levels are not quite as high as they should be, look at your daily diet and see what foods may be bringing you down. There are numerous ways to improve your energy; food is just one of the ways.

Green tea was first discovered in China centuries ago and recognized for its disease fighting and immune strengthening properties due to the high amount of antioxidants it holds. Recent studies have shown that by consuming green tea each day you can drastically reduce the risk of several health issues.

One of the benefits of drinking green tea is that it reduces the risk of various cancers such as stomach, skin, breast, or prostate cancer because of antioxidant compounds known as polyphenols. Polyphenols helps to neutralize free radicals that cause damage to cells and tissues which lead to cancer.

Green tea provides heart protection and prevents heart disease because it relaxes blood vessels and inhibits the formation of blood clots. It also improves cholesterol levels by decreasing LDL, which is bad cholesterol and increasing HDL which is the good cholesterol.

In various studies, phytoestrogens have been found in green tea leaves. Phytoestrogens are plant compounds that can improve bone mass in individuals who are at risk of developing osteoporosis, especially women going through menopause. Drinking green tea can increase bone density and build strong bones.

Another common reason why people drink green tea is because of the weight loss benefits it holds. Studies show drinking green tea regularly can boost metabolism, reduce overall body fat, and help control appetite. It’s also a great way to stay energized throughout the day because of the natural caffeine it contains. Green tea contains about 14-37mg of caffeine per serving which is still much less than coffee and other caffeinated beverages. It provides a natural boost of energy for the body without hard crash like effects from high amounts of caffeine. Those that suffer from diabetes can benefit as well because it contains hypoglycemic agents that boost blood sugar metabolism more effectively and stabilize glucose levels in the body.

There are over 450 organic compounds found in green tea containing minerals, proteins, amino acids, and vitamins. By drinking 3 or more cups a day you can improve your health, prevent various diseases and slow the aging process significantly.