Everyone seems to crave more energy these days. From morning coffee to a quick Red Bull or Mountain Dew's Amp for an afternoon pick-me-up, energy-boosting products are abundant in today's fast-paced culture.
But, do these energy boosters work, or is it just the placebo effect? Is there a difference between caffeine and natural energy-boosting additives?
The most common natural products used for energy supplements are vitamins B6, B12 and ginseng. Along with these main additives, there are several other vitamins and minerals added to energy drinks like Amp, SoBe Adrenaline Rush and Red Bull.
Looking at the nutrition label on any of these products gives a good idea of what the can contains. When compared to a can of Coca-Cola Classic, these energy drinks do not look much different. According to UHS Clinical Dietitian Liz Freitick, these energy boosters are 'like soda, but with vitamins and minerals.'
The amount of sugar in a can of Coke is 39 grams and the amount of sugar in a can of Red Bull is 35 grams. The amount of caffeine in a can of Coke is also almost identical to the amount in Red Bull. SoBe and Mountain Dew products have labels comparable to that of Red Bull.
'Because it's in a smaller can, it's more concentrated,' Freitick said. The more intense concentration of the nutrients in the drinks make their effects take place more quickly, giving the idea of an energy boost that probably won't last too long.
It seems the positive medicinal effects of ginseng have been difficult to prove using modern science.
According to UW-Madison clinical lecturer and registered dietitian Pete Anderson, 'A lot [of additives] are tried, but probably very few other than caffeine have any effect on energy, but most have sugar, which will supply energy as well.'
Sugar will provide energy, but very little, and not for any amount of time. Many companies that produce these drinks do make sugar-free versions of their products as well, which are better for calorie intake but don't provide any better nutritional value than the high-calorie sugared drinks.
Studies have been conducted attempting to prove that ginseng really does have great effects on the body or that it doesn't really do anything special. Scientifically, the latter seems to be the case, but there are many people who swear by it.
At General Nutrition Center, there are several energy drinks available. At GNC the natural additives include B6, B12, ginseng and pantothenic acid, which stimulates metabolism and circulation.
'Really, any B vitamins are going to boost your energy,' GNC associate Tyson Hein said. GNC offers drinks that have caffeine and sugar, just like soda, as well as all-natural drinks that contain supplements like ginseng and other drinks that contain all three.
Hein said the energy-boosting products definitely work. 'Ginseng gives you an energy boost and keeps you mentally sharp,' he said.
While there are many people who have great success using energy boosters like Red Bull and those available at GNC, Freitick said, 'There are no proven studies showing the magic of this stuff. This might be a placebo effect.'
The effects of products like these tend to vary from person to person, according to Freitick. The only way to know what will work best is to try out a product.
Maybe the vitamins and minerals are giving your body something extra, but Anderson said there is a better way to get energy without any of the supplements: 'Pretty simple'get adequate, regular sleep, eat regular meals and have a carbohydrate-containing snack if you're hungry.'
