ENERGY DRINKS - The Truth about CAFFEINE, TAURINE and All the Others...

SOURCE: HTTP://consumerreportsblog.blogspot.com

Every day we are bombarded with advertisements for the newest and "greatest" ENERGY DRINKS. Images of Rockstar's, superhero's and flying cows are pounded into our subconscious by the marketing execs, hoping to get a little more of our attention. On the other side of the coin, we always hear News Programs warn us oer the dangers of Caffeine and energy drinks as a whole. But yet, society's desire for a legal Buzz has increased sales of Caffeine and TAURINE filled energy drinks to astronomical levels.
Here is a little article on ENERGY DRINKS I found which may be of interest to you.

What should you know about ENERGY DRINKS?
By Braden Dragomir

With exams looming, papers piling up and due dates coming fast, students are finding ways to cope. With college students, a common method is the “all-nighter.” But how can one fight the need for sleep?

The real answer is that we shouldn’t, but there are a variety of ENERGY DRINKS out there that can help keep you stay up.

According to National Public Radio, sales of ENERGY DRINKS have risen to an astounding $2.3 billion dollars in 2007 alone.

Recently, experts have been saying that young adults don’t realize the damage that this much caffeine can do, though.

Adolescents don’t realize that caffeine is a stimulant and can be addictive. We begin to rely on that stimulant, and when we don’t have it, we enter withdrawal.

Withdrawal symptoms include headaches, mood swings, trouble focusing and a lack of energy. The result is the exact opposite of what we are looking for: more energy.

“I think it important that people recognize that caffeine really is a drug,” says Roland Griffiths, a professor of behavioral biology at Johns Hopkins University.

When choosing an energy drink, one must look at a few different attributes to stay away from dependency. Take these few tips when choosing an ENERGY DRINKS.

First and foremost, try to look for an energy drink with minimal amounts of caffeine. Most ENERGY DRINKS contain three to four times the amount of caffeine of a cup of coffee.

Second, look for the stimulants used. Sugar is a poor provider of energy. Being a simple carbohydrate, it is processed quickly by the body, resulting in a spike and crash effect. You will feel energized for a brief period of time but when the sugar wears off, the resulting crash will make you feel lower than before.

So what do you want to look for in ENERGY DRINKS?

Key ingredients to look for are vitamins B6 and B12, ginseng, TAURINE, guarana and ginkgo biloba. All six of these ingredients are naturally occurring and contribute differently to the body and mind.

Vitamins B6 and B12 support metabolism, increase immune and nervous system function, and support cell growth. The result is a reduction in stress and depression, and a raise in overall sustained energy levels.

Ginseng is a herb that has been used to brew teas in Eastern medicine. The functions have been found to help the body handle higher levels of stress. The result is the body feeling more energetic because of the reduction of stressors.

Guarana is a small plant, with a seed similar the size of a coffee bean. However, guarana contains close to three times the caffeine of a coffee bean. Guaranine, the main substance in guarana, is chemically similar to caffeine, but possesses more cognitive stimulants, or stimulants for the mind. Effects have been found to increase focus and alertness.

Ginkgo biloba is a tree in which the leaves are harvested. Ginkgo, once extracted, functions to increase brain and memory function, increase concentration and increase blood flow.

TAURINE, on the other hand, is an organic acid. It is present in most energy drinks, yet has never been proven to provide any energy qualities. The main effects of TAURINE seem to be related to proper maintenance and functioning of skeletal muscles.

When looking for an energy drink, don’t look for that big shot of energy. Look for drinks that combine a variety of stimulants that encourage your body to function at full capacity. Not only will you feel more energetic, you will not develop a dependency.