There are a variety of energy drinks on the market that make a lot of claims from giving you wings to unleashing your inner beast. These caffeinated drinks have been around for some time and can be easily seen in being sipped by athletes from traditional to esports to extreme games.
The questions on many athletes’ minds are whether energy drinks are harmful to them or will improve physical and mental performance? While the mind and body can be stimulated, the caffeinated beverages are not ideal for athletes to sip, chug, or down before training or matches.
The effects of energy drinks on the mind and body
Most energy drinks claim to contain a variety of natural vitamins and caffeine. It is the caffeine that can be a major issue to athletes, especially young ones. Studies from the Mayo Clinic claim that 100 mg of caffeine in a teenager or child can cause a variety of problems. A Monster Energy Drink contains up to 160 mg of caffeine. Drinking energy drinks regularly can prevent the brain from resting properly. It can also create anxiety and headaches in drinkers.
Energy drinks often give drinkers a short-term burst of energy. A variety of ingredients can combine to give you a quick burst with a strong comedown. It is claimed that one can of many of the top energy beverages have the same amount of caffeine as two cups of coffee or two cans of cola. Drinking an energy beverage on days before a match can result in a lack of sleep and fatigue going into the game.
Another risk athletes run when drinking a high-energy fizzy drink is that it dehydrates the body. The high-levels of sugar and caffeine can zap your body of fluids. This results in dehydration when you need fluids for training, games, or recovery.
If you are going to drink an energy drink, it is best to have it away from a matchday or just before training. Water and sports drinks such as Gatorade are better alternatives for athletes to consume.