Energy Drinks Help You Build Muscle?

The sentence above was actually blurted out loud by one individual to another in my local gym changeroom. I glanced over hoping to see a coy smile or a sarcastic eyebrow raise, but nothing. I don’t usually eavedrop on other conversations but the exchange continued with the following defending remark:

Downing an energy drink on the way to the gym is the best way to keep your energy levels up for a workout. *snicker*

Really? What happened to healthy eating and consistent chunks of sleep being the keys to long lasting energy to get you through your day and your workout? Contrary to the numerous ads and the abundant gas station stockings of these various energy drinks, here’s what we know about them:

They are not sports drinks . Sports drinks, such as gatorade and powerade, are designed for rapid rehydration and refuelling during exercise. Energy drinks, such as Red Bull, have high sugar levels and carbonation which makes it hard to drink enough to stay well hydrated during a workout without having to let out monster burps in between reps.

The caffeine in energy drinks is usually more than double of what we find in soft drinks. Caffeine makes you alert for a short time but tends to be followed by feelings of low energy. Too much caffeine can also get in the way of a good night’s sleep .

Countless studies also question the safety of energy drinks . It is not known if ingredients like taurine and glucuronolactone are safe, especially when mixed with caffeine. Similar to our article about Losing Fat and Building Muscle without Supplements , do the risks outweigh the reward?

If you feel like you are running out of energy, consider how long it has been since you’ve had something to eat or drink. A glass of water with a small meal or healthy snack one or two hours before your workout can give you a real and sustaining burst of energy . Next time, try a peanut butter sandwich on whole grain bread and a banana instead.

Check out Vince DelMonte’s Your Six Pack Quest for further information on how to lose fat and uncover your six pack. The program comes with more bonuses than I can count (see full review ), including the fat loss virtual training, ten- 84 day meal plans that accommodate for any body type, and over 15 hours of video footage of Vince in the gym showing you each and every exercise and workout personally.