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With great advertising, colourful packaging and a quick energy boost, energy drinks have become highly consumed in our society. So what are the health impacts of consuming these products regularly? Unfortunately, it’s not just the ingredients in each of the products that are harmful for you, it is the other lifestyle factors that accompany them. This includes the time of day you consume these products, whether you are also snacking and the quantity that you drink throughout each week.
Generally, energy drinks are consumed after lunch, used as a mid-day pick me up. High amounts of caffeine consumed within 8 hours of our sleep times can be detrimental to our recovery. Caffeine consumption later in the day impacts the time it takes us to fall asleep, reducing sleep quality. Creating a cycle of feeling tired, grabbing a quick energy drink, sleeping later and for less time, and repeat.
Most energy drinks contain high amounts of added sugars, preservatives and ingredients you have to google to know where they come from. Asides from the odd electrolyte or B-Vitamin, there are very few added health benefits from consuming these products.
We have compared the Stanard and Zero versions of Red Bull and FitAid.
1/2 Star Red Bull & Red Bull Zero
Red Bull is a well-known and loved energy drink brand. Known for sponsoring athletes across all extreme sports, team sports including soccer/football and even some CrossFit Games Athletes.
Red Bull does not contain vegetable oils, starches and added colours or flavours, however, it does contain high amounts of caffeine, sugar and processed additives.
Although the impact of taurine and Glucuronolactone (listed ingredients) aren’t well known, the impact of consuming beverages high in sugar and caffeine includes disrupted sleep patterns, increased stress and varying mood and energy fluctuations throughout the day.
Red Bull Ingredients: Caffeine, taurine, glucuronolactone, sucrose and glucose (sugar), B-group vitamins, and alpine spring water.
Red Bull Zero Ingredients: Carbonated Water, Acidity Regulators (Citric Acid, Sodium Bicarbonate, Magnesium Carbonate), Taurine (0.4%), Flavours, Colours (Caramel I, Riboflavin), Sweeteners (Acesulfame Potassium, Sucralose, Steviol Glycosides), Caffeine (0.03%), Vitamins (Niacinamide, Pantothenic Acid, B6, B12), Thickener (Xantham Gum).
✖️ Added Sugar ✔️ No Vegetable / Canola Oils
✖️ Thickeners ✖️ Preservatives
✔️ No added Colours
4 Stars Fit Aid & Fit Aid Zero
Fit Aid has become a household name in the CrossFit Community. Sponsoring well-known athletes, events such as the CrossFit Games and being available to purchase in most affiliates.
The benefits of Fit Aid far outweigh the cons, with 50% less caffeine per can than Red Bull. Each can is filled with vitamins and minerals, and packed full of electrolytes to replenish your body post-workout to speed up recovery.
Fit Aid Recover & Fit Aid Zero have 45g of caffeine per can from green tea extract and Recover Aid has 7g of sugar derived from natural ingredients. For these reasons, fit aid receives a 4 out of 5 stars.
Fit Aid Ingredients: Green tea extract (leaves), L-Arginine hydrochloride, L-Glutamine, D-Glucosamine hydrochloride, L-Leucine, Quercetin, L-Isoleucine, L-Valine, Coenzyme Q10, Turmeric extract (root), Docosahexaenoic acid (algae)
Fit Aid Zero Ingredients:
✔️ No Added Sugar ✔️ No Vegetable / Canola Oils
✔️ No Starch’s or Thickeners ✔️ No Preservatives
✔️ No added Colours
When choosing which products to buy keep these 5 things in mind:
- Does it have added sugar? If yes, look for an alternative.
- Does it include Vegetable or canola oils? If yes, look for an alternative.
- Does it contain starches or thickeners? If yes, look for an alternative.
- Does it contain chemical preservatives or added colours? If yes look for an alternative.
You can apply this to almost any item from the grocery store to help you make healthier choices for yourself and your family.
Get support to help you start your journey
If you have any questions or would like to work with a coach to get your journey started, book a FREE nutrition consult with one of our coaches using the link below. We will do our best to help expand your thinking and provide an alternative perspective.
