Do you find yourself grabbing an energy drink when you need a pick-me-up after a full-on exercise class, a particularly long day or an intense study session?
Or maybe you know of them and have seen them about, but are yet to reach out and try them?
Natural energy drinks are a whole new world in themselves, packed full of different flavours, sizes and ingredients. Should you pick this one or that one? And is that one better for you or the other one?
In this article, we tell you all there is to know about natural energy drinks – how healthy they are, how they compare to ‘normal’ energy drinks and how they work.
Are natural energy drinks good for you?
Now that’s the million-dollar question – you see, there’s lots of speculation and debate over whether or not energy drinks are healthy, which we don’t intend to add to in this article.
But what we would like to highlight, is there’s a new ‘breed’ of energy drinks out there now that you could describe as being a mark two on the traditional energy drink. It’s these newer varieties of natural energy drinks that are reportedly more focused on the impact on people’s bodies – i.e. creating less of brain buzz and being even kinder to the waistline.
On the whole, these natural energy drinks are fuelled with B vitamins and brain-boosting adaptogens and contain zero added sugar, sweeteners, flavours and colours.1
What’s the difference between natural energy drinks and energy drinks?
Generally speaking, natural energy drinks contain more natural ingredients, e.g. natural fruit flavours, cold-pressed vegetable and fruit juice, no added sugars and other added artificial extras, such as sweeteners, flavouring and colouring. They also contain no caffeine.2
Meanwhile, energy drinks that come without the ‘natural’ tag tend to contain varying levels of caffeine and sweeteners and stimulants, including guarana and ginseng, as well as sugar. Some can also contain some more unusual ingredients, such as taurine, super citrimax, inositol and carnitine, the safety of which is yet to be fully established.
A quick note about caffeine… caffeine’s ok in small doses, but large doses (i.e. anything over 400mg) can potentially lead to issues, such as breathing difficulties, an irregular heartbeat, diarrhoea, fever and convulsions.
5 of the best natural energy drinks
Top pick 1: Tenzing Natural Energy Drink
Provides natural energy from plants and a triple hit of Vitamin C, natural caffeine and electrolytes.
Natural caffeine (80mg), 48 calories per can, no artificial sweeteners or additives.
Also available in raspberry and yuzu flavour.
Top pick 2: Virtue Energy Water Lemon & Lime
Lemon and lime flavoured sparkling energy water.
Natural caffeine (80mg), zero sugar, zero calories and no sweeteners.
Also available in mixed berry flavour.
Top pick 3: Aspire Apple & Acai Diet Health Drink
Premium grade green tea extract for sustainable energy.
Enriched with Vitamin B and C and contains 32mg caffeine per 100ml, zero calories, sugar and carbs.
Top pick 4: XITE Energy Drink
Naturally caffeinated and flavoured energy drink.
Contains B vitamins, zero sugar and no harsh chemical ingredients.
Top pick 5: James White Drinks Turmeric Zinger Shot
Blended with apple, lemon, pepper and chilli for an extra zing.
Contains freshly-pressed turmeric juice and no preservatives or artificial colours.
Also available in Organic Ginger Zinger and Organic Xtra Ginger Zinger flavours.
Hopefully, you know your classic energy drinks from your natural energy drinks now and which ingredients to look out for when making your first or next energy drink purchase.
Last updated: 5 October 2020
Sources
1 https://www.eatthis.com/healthy-energy-drinks/
2 https://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/8-healthy-energy-drinks-that-can-give-you-boost-without-caffeine.html
3 https://www.healthline.com/health/energy-drinks-healthy-alternatives#sweeteners-and-stimulants
