The component that contributes to most calories in energy drinks is glucose. Once a person consumes an energy drink, it is absorbed into the cells. In the cells, glucose is burnt to generate energy in the form of heat and adenosine triphosphate, a molecule that stores and gives out energy as required by the cell. The ingestion of carbohydrates, made up of elements such as glucose and fructose, serves as an exogenous source of fuel. The conversion of glucose into energy also takes place in muscle. The muscle cells have mitochondria which aid in the conversion of glucose into energy in the presence of oxygen at a specific oxidation rate (depending on activity), generating energy (Kreider, 2018). Glucose is, therefore, the component that contributes to most calories in energy drinks.
Caffeine is a stimulant in energy drinks that is perceived to provide high amounts of energy after ingestion, making a person feel more alert and energetic. When most people consume energy drinks, they expect a boost provided by the high level of caffeine in the energy drinks. It boosts the impacts of neurotransmitters: dopamine, acetylcholine, and serotonin. Caffeine increases the release of catecholamine, including adrenaline, through the sympathetic nervous system. Adrenaline increases the rate of heartbeat, sending more blood to the body’s muscles (Heidemann & Urquhart, 2005). Nevertheless, caffeine stimulates the liver to release sugar into the bloodstream to provide more energy
Energy drinks contain various components that portray different physiological roles in the body of a person who consumes them. Citric acid is an organic acid, and it is an essential component that precedes the citric acid cycle. The citric acid pattern is an essential mechanism in generating chemical energy by the cell (Heidemann & Urquhart, 2005). Cyanocobalamin is a manufactured conformation of Vitamin B-12. It is essential for the formation of blood, synthesis of tissues and proteins, production of cells, and the general growth of the body. Folic acid is a vitamin vital for the metabolism of amino acids, carbon compounds, and nucleic acids.
1-Glutamine is an Amino acid that is essential in the development and nourishment of body muscles. Inositol is a sugar, and it is part of the Vitamin B complex; it regulates the quantities of cholesterol in the body and possesses potential antioxidant capabilities. Nicotinic acid is a vitamin that can be mixed with water, and it is essential for the manufacture of amino acids (Heidemann & Urquhart, 2005). Pantothenic acid is a manufactured conformation of Vitamin B-5, essential in the energy metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins, manufacturing neurotransmitters, hemoglobin, lipids, porphyrins, and steroid hormones (Heidemann & Urquhart, 2005). Pyridoxine HCL is a manufactured conformation of Vitamin B-6, which is vital in effective metabolic functioning, energy generation, maintaining a healthy nervous system, and protein digestion. Water is a solvent for other ingredients, vital for physiological processes.
Energy drinks contain various nutrients which are meant to increase cognition, focus, and short bursts of energy. One of the most common ones is taurine, also known as amino sulfonic acid, which is critical to metabolic processes and is produced naturally by the body. However, there is evidence that when combined with stimulants, which are also present in energy drinks via caffeine, guarana, yerba mate, tyramine and others, taurine leads to increased mental performance. Energy drinks can contain various other ergogenic nutrients such as l-carnitine or β-alanine that can speed up metabolic processes through various means such as transporting fatty acids to be oxidized for energy production (Kreider, 2018). However, other than glucose and caffeine, most other ingredients in energy drinks are present in small amounts far below recommended medical supplement doses, likely for marketing purposes rather than practical effects.
Despite the beneficial effects of energy drinks, they may affect the sleep/wake cycle of an individual. Caffeine blocks the adenosine receptors in the basal forebrain, which signal the brain when it is time to sleep. Therefore, when the receptors are obstructed, signals cannot be sent to the brain for sleep coordination; this affects the sleep cycle of an individual who consumes energy drinks (Patrick et al., 2016). Nevertheless, large amounts of glucuronolactone affect the sleep pattern of an individual, with quantity, quality, and tiredness increasing substantially, particularly with regular use.
My personal opinion is that energy drinks are meant to generate short bursts of energy, largely based off the glucose and caffeine interactions. Therefore, for an individual expending a lot of energy over a period of time, energy drinks are largely ineffective. While athletes may use energy drinks (or electrolyte solutions) for instant ingestion of glucose for performance upkeep, many prefer a blend of lower to moderate glycemic index of carbohydrates prior to training. The primary issues are that while a short-term energy boost is provided, once it falters, it creates a range of other issues such as rapid heartbeat, increased blood pressure, and what is known in popular terms as a ‘sugar crash’ when insulin and stress hormones are overused. Furthermore, it is extremely unhealthy to consume more than 400mg of energy drinks per day, making it an unsustainable source of energy.
In conclusion, energy drinks are beverages which contain a range of ingredients which temporarily boost energy levels, primarily through high glucose levels and stimulants such as caffein combined with other additives. The simple carbohydrates from added sugar impact the human physiology on a very short-term basis by peaking glucose that can be burned into energy during physical activity but have long-term impacts such as high blood pressure and impairment of sleep, which in the long-term creates issues and diminished energy. It is recommended to not use energy drinks as a consistent means of boosting ‘energy’ due extensive negative health problems accompanying it.
References
Heidemann, M., & Urquhart, G. R. (2005). A can of bull? Do energy drinks really provide a source of energy? Journal of College Science Teaching, 35(2), 40.
Kreider, R. B. (2018). Current perspectives of caffeinated energy drinks on exercise performance and safety assessment. Nutrition and Dietary Supplements, 10, 35–44.
Patrick, M. E., Griffin, J., Huntley, E. D., & Maggs, J. L. (2016). Energy drinks and binge drinking predict college students’ sleep quantity, quality, and tiredness. Behavioral Sleep Medicine, 16(1), 92–105.