3 Alternatives to Energy Drinks

There are certain types of energy drinks that are capable of increasing cognitive performance. Alongside providing antioxidants, some of these beverages are beneficial to human health in the long run. 

Energy drinks can be harmful to our health when we consume them regularly. This is due to the fact that they contain a considerable amount of stimulating substances, such as caffeine; an alkaloid that can lead to an overdose situation, in addition to tolerance. For this reason, it’s convenient to know some alternatives to energy drinks.

Abusing substances that have an effect on the central nervous system is never positive. However, it’s possible to consume them reasonably, in such a way that we take advantage of the benefits without causing any obvious damages.

Alternatives to energy drinks

Although they do contain caffeine, the following options are better than energy drinks since the amounts of this substance are lower.

1. Coffee

Coffee contains a large number of antioxidants in its composition. These are mainly flavonoids that are able to exert protective effects against premature aging and cardiovascular functions.

There’s research that even links the regular intake of coffee with a lower risk of developing metabolic-type pathologies related to alterations in the physiology of carbohydrates. For example, a study published by Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition states that the consumption of green coffee is very beneficial for health in this regard.

Moreover, coffee stands out for containing a moderate amount of caffeine, not exceeding 90 milligrams per cup. This value allows the consumption of one or two cups of the drink throughout the day without causing side effects. 

However, it’s important to avoid adding sugar or artificial sweeteners because this spoils its nutritional quality. Nonetheless, you can drink it with whole milk.

2. Tea

Tea is another drink that has a large number of phytonutrients in its composition. These elements have proven their power to increase fat oxidation, which stimulates weight loss.

Additionally, these antioxidants have a positive impact on the prevention of complex pathologies, according to a study published in the journal Nutrients. For example, these substances could be effective in reducing the incidence of certain types of cancer.

Tea also contains a reasonable amount of caffeine. Thus, it’s possible to include this drink in our diets without altering the functioning of the central nervous system or eventually generating a dependency. It’s an excellent idea to also combine this drink with other infusions to increase its beneficial potential. This allows you to ingest a greater amount of different phytonutrients.

3. Cocoa drink

When we talk about a cocoa drink, we’re not referring to hot chocolate. That preparation has a large amount of added sugars, which negatively alter its nutritional value.

However, dissolving bitter cocoa in whole milk or in water manages to exert a positive effect on the performance of athletes and on their cognitive powers during a certain period of time. As with the previous options, cocoa has a certain amount of caffeine in its composition, although not as much.

Bitter cocoa also contains a number of antioxidants that help improve a person’s health. They contribute to reducing the risk of developing complex pathologies, such as cardiovascular diseases. It’s been proven that cocoa flavonoids successfully reduce blood pressure the same way as potassium supplementation.

With all these facts in mind, it’s advisable to frequently include a cocoa drink in your diet. However, do avoid adding sugar or sweetener. Try to progressively get used to its bitter taste. If you find it difficult, try a mixture that contains no more than ten percent sugar to start with and gradually reduce the presence of this ingredient.

Include alternatives to energy drinks in your diet

Energy drinks are harmful to your health, especially when you consume them often or combine them with alcohol. This last combination interferes with the functioning of the brain, more so in the case of adolescents. Therefore, it’s crucial to restrict your consumption.

There are much healthier alternatives to energy drinks that temporarily increase vitality while providing essential nutrients for the body. Those we have mentioned stand out for their antioxidant power, which also contributes to modulating the body’s state of inflammation.

Nevertheless, there are certain supplements that can generate a similar ergogenic process when you ingest them correctly. Before consuming any of these kinds of products, we recommend that you visit a nutritional specialist.