Energy drinks contain an excessive amount of caffeine. These sugar-laden sports drinks frequently include other substances that may be harmful to your health. Why not try out these natural solutions if you need to enhance your energy levels (which you should).
We’re all about getting the most out of our bodies, so fuelling them to reach their greatest potential is a given. But what’s the best approach to go about doing it?
This isn’t the first time the Great Energy Drink Debate has erupted. Is it true that they’re so unhealthy for you? Do they help you perform better? The answer to each of those queries appears to be yes, according to a new study published in the British Journal of Nutrition.
The four-year study looked at how well athletes performed after consuming energy drinks before taking the stage.
At first glance, the results appear encouraging; athletes reported an increase in performance of 3-7 percent, as well as feeling stronger and more powerful during competitions.
However, a closer examination reveals that their wings may need to be clipped. In addition, athletes who consumed energy drinks reported more sleeplessness, anxiousness, and overstimulation.
Energy drinks, contrary to their name, do not provide you with more energy, but rather a high quantity of caffeine, which can have a variety of harmful side effects.
Try these eight healthier options to get the same performance-enhancing advantages without the buzz-killing side effects.
Why a person may use them
There are a few reasons that a person may want to consume a natural energy drink. These include:
- feeling more alert in the morning
- enhancing their physical performance
- improving their concentration
- consuming additional supplements
- recovering after exercise
1. Get adequate rest at night
Many people who have trouble sleeping turn to self-medication, relying on caffeine and other sweet foods as energy enhancers. This does work, but only for a short time. It doesn’t change the reality that the body isn’t getting the necessary and important sleep it requires.
Sleep deprivation also causes a drop in leptin levels, a hormone that helps to reduce eating. You should not make it a practice to do all-nighters. Getting enough sleep at night is a powerful energy enhancer that everyone should take advantage of.
2. Stop depression
Depression is a frequent illness that saps one’s energy. When you’re depressed, you don’t want to go outside, spend time with your friends, or exercise. Consider several natural therapies if you’re depressed, as drugs can have unpleasant side effects.
If you really must take medication, try to conduct a comprehensive drug search and compare rates online.
3. Check for anemia
You will definitely feel sluggish if your blood is deficient in iron. In women, this is a common cause of exhaustion. To make up for the lack of iron, you can take iron supplements. Also, include iron-rich foods in your diet.
These meals provide essential nutrients and enzymes that help your body absorb iron more easily. Anemia-fighting foods include sesame seeds, black molasses, and beetroot-apple. It’s critical to be aware of your blood iron level in order to maintain a high level of energy.
4. Drink water
Fatigue could indicate a lack of fluid in the body. It’s also the first sign that you’re dehydrated. Water helps you perform better in tough endurance sports.
It also has an impact on metabolism. According to the Institute of Medicine, men and women should drink roughly 13 and 9 glasses of water, respectively.
5. Stop Yo-Yo dieting
Eating the wrong foods and sleeping too little are two surefire ways to deplete your vitality. Sugar would provide energy, but it would be fleeting, similar to when you don’t get enough sleep.
Sugar depletes your long-term energy as well. When you starve yourself, this happens.
Instead, make an effort to alter your lifestyle and eliminate foods that are harmful to your health. This does not imply that you should forego your healthful favorite meals.
6. Check for Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the pituitary and thyroid glands are out of balance. It affects a large number of people who are completely unaware of it.
A person with hypothyroidism is at a heightened risk of being exposed to radiation. It can be treated either naturally or with medications prescribed by your doctor.
7. Cleanse your colon
A colon cleanse can help you naturally enhance your energy levels while also improving your overall health. One guaranteed technique to regain energy is to cleanse your intestines on a regular basis. This will also improve your body’s absorption of energy-giving nutrients.
Colon cleansing can help you get rid of fermenting wastes, parasites, and candida that are resting in your stomach unnecessarily.
Alternatives
To boost mental and physical performance, a person may wish to consider the following alternatives to energy drinks:
- Get more sleep: Not getting enough sleep might affect a person’s ability to do tasks. Adults should receive at least 7 hours of sleep, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
- Eat a balanced diet: People who ate more whole grains, legumes, and vegetables had greater energy than those who ate more refined grains and added sugar, according to one study.
- Limit your alcohol consumption: Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol can cause sleep difficulties, which can have a detrimental impact on energy levels. Trusted Source
- Smoking should be avoided. According to one studyTrusted Source, those who smoke have greater sleep disruptions than people who do not smoke.
- Keep yourself hydrated. Even slight dehydration can have an impact on cognitive functionTrusted Source. As a result, anyone who wants to concentrate on a task should drink plenty of water throughout the day.
Conclusion
If you’re battling to stay attentive throughout the day, feeling sluggish in the afternoon, suffering from adrenal fatigue, or just fatigued, it’s time to make a change.
To get rid of weariness naturally, use the above inexpensive and simple methods. If you need to take medication for a disease like hypothyroidism, anemia, or depression, make sure to talk to your doctor first.
Natural energy drinks can provide you with the same energy boost as regular energy drinks. The former, on the other hand, contains less sugar and more naturally occurring caffeine sources.
Although energy drinks may help increase alertness and concentration, a person should also consider natural alternatives, such as staying hydrated and eating a nutrient-rich diet.