The Energy Drink Blog

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.

We all know that it is important to exercise, but it is equally important to stay hydrated while doing so.  As we exercise we increase the internal temperature of our body. The process of sweating is our body’s natural cooling system. Sweating, which is the process of the loss of water equals the loss of vitamins, minerals and electrolytes, all vital to keep our systems running properly.  Energy drinks are useful in the quest to replenish these lost nutrients.

Consumers need to be aware that all energy drinks are not created equal. Next time you are at the store looking for an energy drink take a look at the label. Amazing isn’t it, how much sugar is present in something that is supposed to be good for you? Additionally these drinks are rather high on the carbohydrate count which can be devastating to those trying to maintain a low carbohydrate diet.

It is often recommended that unless you are an athlete participating in extremely intense physical activity that you only drink water to replenish the fluids lost during exercise.  However it the taste and convenience of energy drinks is something that you crave, you should consider the following factors when choosing the best energy drink :

Calories: Beware some energy drinks contain more calories than were actually burned during exercise

Serving Size:  Look at the serving size and number of servings per container. Most energy drinks contain more than one serving per bottle, being unaware of this fact is one of the sneaky little ways extra calories sneak up on you.

Sugar: On average a can of soda contains 9 teaspoons of sugar! You might find it surprising that some energy drinks contain an equal amount if not more!

Research has found that by consuming particular fats you can decrease body fat and increase weight-loss more efficiently. It may seem a bit odd that you would eat fat to lose fat but studies show that a group of fats known as medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) can do just that.

One of the richest sources of MCTs comes from coconut oil. Coconut oil has been getting a lot of attention over the last few years for its ability to help overweight people shed excess body fat by substituting it daily in replacement of other fats.

The benefits of this oil are truly amazing even compared to healthy fats such as olive oil or flaxseed oil. Coconut oil can inhibit and treat obesity more effectively because it contains fewer calories than other fats. It is also a source of fuel and energy for the body because it gets used immediately rather than circulating in the blood stream and getting stored in fat cells. This also means that you will actually experience a natural surge in energy that lasts much longer than a dose of caffeine would. Coconut oil increases metabolism so you burn a lot more calories by consuming it over any other fat. It is also more filling and keeps you satiated longer which means you consume fewer calories. Unlike typical bad fats that raise cholesterol, it can reduce bad cholesterol and raise the good.

Coconut oil is commonly found in drinks and healthy snack items because it gives athletes energy while helping them stay lean. It also helps those that are overweight and obese lose weight more rapidly. As an oil you can add it to salads and vegetables, as a spread you can replace butter or margarine, or for a more convenient way, you can take it in soft gel capsule form. Because weight-loss results are so astounding, it is encouraged to use it as frequently as you like as it will help achieve better results and better health.

There are some people who believe that diet and exercise is the only way to lose weight. However, there are people who do not engage in regular exercise and they are able to slim down on diet alone. It’s important to understand that regular exercise has many health benefits aside from weight-loss alone.  But if you are unable to make it part of your daily routine, you can still achieve weight-loss through proper diet.

The quality of food you consume is very important when trying to shed excess weight. It’s nearly impossible to lose weight on a high fat, high carb, and high calorie diet. In fact, eating this way will increase your waistline very rapidly. Eating healthy must always be a way of life and not a fad. Choosing whole foods and lean sources of protein will help you eat balanced and reduce the amount of preservatives and additives you consume.  Preservatives and additives pollute the liver making it much harder to process toxins. Ultimately this leads to weight gain as your liver becomes clogged and can’t break fat down effectively.

Dietary changes will aid in weight-loss but taking in excess fat and calories regardless of healthy food choices will not. In order to lose weight effectively you must restrict calorie consumption. A calorie is a calorie regardless of its source. If you are consuming a high calorie healthy diet you will still gain weight no matter what. Eating healthy will definitely have other health advantages versus eating poorly. In general subtracting 600-800 calories from the total amount your body requires each day will help you lose weight without exercise. Simply put, when you eat too many calories you gain weight, when you don’t eat enough you lose weight.

Avoid eating after 7:30 in the evening and consume all or most of your carbs during the day as they are burned off more effectively. Because your body begins to unwind at the end of the day so does your metabolism that’s why it’s crucial to restrict eating late in the evening.

Exercise is great for cardiovascular and bone health so completely eliminating it wouldn’t be wise. However, if you are unable to make time for it, it is possible to trim down and get healthy regardless. Just moving around during the day and doing things such as breathing, sleeping, digesting food, walking up stairs, or doing household chores are all forms of physical activity and will help burn calories.

Antioxidants are nutrients naturally found in the foods we eat. They offer protection to our cells from oxidative damage. They also slow the aging process and prevent various illnesses and diseases. Some of the most common health problems associated with oxidative damage can be cancer, heart disease, eye problems, or diabetes. This is why eating a diet loaded in antioxidants is so essential. Although there are various sources of food that contain them, they can also be found in supplement form as well. Here are some common antioxidants found in the foods we eat.

Vitamin A is found in many orange or brightly colored vegetables and fruits such as sweet potatoes, cantaloupe, peaches, squash, tomatoes, apricots, kale, or broccoli as well as a variety of sources of protein. These sources contain what is known as beta-carotene which is a nutrient that converts to vitamin A as the body needs it. Vitamin A is beneficial for eye health, skin, cancer prevention, strong bone health, and protection from bacterial and viral infections. Since beta-carotene is converted to vitamin A in the body, you should try to get it from your diet first because it is a fat soluble vitamin is not excreted daily.

Vitamin C is commonly found in all citrus fruits, leafy greens, strawberries, and tomatoes. It is an antioxidant that can prevent and protect the body from illness, increase immunity and energy, protect cells from cancer, and stimulate collagen production. Vitamin C can also be supplemented daily because it is a water soluble vitamin that is not stored in the body. The recommended daily requirement can range from 500-2000mg depending on individual needs.

Vitamin E is generally found in most nuts, various greens, and fruits such as kiwis or mangos. It is vital for protecting the skin from any kind of ultra violet light or skin damage. It helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, scarring, and stretch marks when applied topically. When taken internally it can help prevent muscle cramping, asthma, cataracts, cardiovascular disease, prostate, and breast cancer. A general recommended daily dose is 200-400mcg in supplement form deriving from a natural source. Vitamin E is a fat soluble vitamin so depending on how much you get from your diet can also determine how much to supplement.

Selenium is a trace mineral that is commonly known for protecting against various cancers. It can be found in nuts and almost all animal proteins. The recommended daily intake is about 200mcg and can be taken in supplement form.

Although antioxidants may be supplemented, it is best to attain them from a diet with a wide variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, legumes, and protein to gain the benefits of their protection.

Recently I started this blog to give awareness on a variety of topics relating to energy, health, and wellness.  This is a true passion of mine so I’m thrilled to share some of the information I’m gathering and tips that may be helpful for maintaining a healthy standard of living.  I work for a company that recently launched an unbelievable energy drink called Skinny Gazelle.  Yes I’m a little biased about this product because I’ve tried it and it’s truly amazing.  It actually does exactly what it promises, and that’s to increase your energy and focus safely without the use of harsh stimulants.

I started the energy drink blog after trying Skinny Gazelle because I wanted to give you input as well as hear your feedback on the various health related topics while promoting what I think is the next sensation in increasing energy naturally.   I enjoy what I do so I want to spread the word on health and wellbeing and give you knowledge that you can apply in your everyday life.

 I want to take this opportunity to ask you to comment on the articles I’ve posted thus far or share ideas on things you want to know more about in relation to health and wellness.  I encourage everyone reading my articles to visit www.skinnygazelle.com and let me hear what you have to say.   Because I truly believe in this product, I want to show you how you can increase your energy naturally and effectively, so I’m inviting everyone out there to try Skinny Gazelle energy drink . 

Once again, thank you for taking the time to visit my blog and www.skinnygazelle.com.  You can meet me daily at the energy drink blog for more advice on healthy living. 

Take Care,

Alex Collins

Marketing Co-ordinator

Strictly Health Corp.

Most of us have tried one at one point or another.   I’m talking about the latest craze when it comes to quick energy, energy drinks.  They have been around for years but over the last few years we’ve noticed an increase use of them.  From athletes who want to enhance their performance to your typical 9 to 5 employee who is trying to keep himself from falling asleep on top of his computer.  So, are they dangerous?  Are they addictive?  And who can use them? 

A couple things to know about energy drinks is that they are meant to supply the body with immediate energy by stimulating your central nervous system and blocking a chemical in your brain that causes you to become tired.  Most of them contain almost double the amount of caffeine than your morning cup of Joe but unlike coffee, they also include quite an array of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids if you find the right one. 

Depending on your own personal needs and any sleep issues you may have, energy drinks can be addictive if your body isn’t getting what it needs.  There are some out on the market that offer a steady, safe increase in energy for an extended period of time without sending you on a crash after it wears off.  Those are the ones I highly recommend and those are the ones that probably contain either little or no sugar at all. 

My suggestion for those of you with any kind of hypertension or heart issues, you may want to stick with a protein shake or something of that nature so you do not exacerbate your condition.

So what’s the big hype about energy drinks?  With so many to choose from it’s hard to know which one to buy and what to look for.  By understanding just a few key points and determining what your personal needs are, you will be able select the perfect pick me up by quickly scanning the ingredients on the back.

I’m sure most of you already watch your sugar and carb intake so it’s a no brainer when I say pick an energy drink that doesn’t contain your entire sugar intake for the day in one serving.  That means either a few grams or none at all.  Let’s face it; sugar is one of the number one addictions in this country and also a huge contributor to obesity.  Not to mention when you consume high amounts in a short period of time it sends your body on what I like to call a roller coaster ride, first you go up and then you crash hard.

But, that’s not all.  One of the most deleterious effects of “normal” aging is impaired glucose metabolism.  Failure to maintain normal sugar can trigger a cascade of ill health effects throughout the body.

Studies have shown that the consumption of foods and drinks that produce elevated blood sugar levels, result in the body’s production of advanced glycation end products(AGEs)- substances which are implicated in accelerating the aging process in blood vessels, the kidneys, and the eyes.

Vitamin B6, a water-soluble vitamin complex, supports healthy blood sugar metabolism and helps protect the body’s tissues against AGEs and oxidative stress.

In a landmark study published in the journal Diabetes Care, Scientists demonstrated for the first time that Vitamin B6 effectively reduced post-prandial endothelial dysfunction and oxidative stress normally seen in patients with high blood sugar whose bodies had advanced glycation end products (AGEs).

Skinny Gazelle, the only energy drink I recommend, not only has zero sugar but also has a healthy serving of Vitamin B6 to combat this concern.

Next, always check to see what the stimulant base is and in what order it is listed.  Generally if you see caffeine, guarana, or green tea listed as the first ingredient in the energy blend it usually means you are getting a hefty dose of it.  If it’s the last ingredient in the energy blend then chances are you are getting a moderate dose but nothing that will whack you out of your mind and make you jittery.

Lastly, if you notice that your energy drink looks more like a multivitamin and primarily contains vitamins, minerals, amino acids, various herbs, and enzymes then congratulations you have found one that is worth testing.

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