The inception of the New Albany Walking Classic happened in 2005. As director of the event, I was intent on everything being perfect. The starter was to engage his pistol at exactly 9 a.m. and not one minute sooner or later. All of the sponsor banners had to be lined up in a designated sequence along temporary fencing near the finish line. And the water set aside for thirsty competitors was to be in a designated area easily accessible to volunteers.
But that year, as I walked along the vendor tents making sure everything was running smoothly, something took me aback. There, amongst the vendors who had supported the event, someone was hawking his product without invitation.
I confronted him and asked what he was doing. He took out a beverage can and said he was promoting a product he called an energy drink.
“You want the participants in your event to drink this, as they will improve their athletic performance,” he said.
“Of course,” I responded sarcastically, and ushered him to a security officer with instructions to escort him (and his energy drink) out of the event.
After all, I had to be fair to vendors who paid to have a presence at the event. But little did I know this encounter would instigate a fascination with energy drinks, a product that today accounts for nearly $10 billion in sales.
What are Energy Drinks?
Energy drinks contain glucose, vitamins and minerals, as well as herb extracts and caffeine. Their manufacturers claim people who consume them will have increased energy levels, alertness and enhanced activity level – the same pitch given to me by the intruder at the walk.
So, exactly what elements are in energy drinks that make them so popular? According to their labels, many have the same ingredients as a can of soda, specifically carbonated water, natural and artificial flavors, artificial color, high fructose corn syrup and caffeine. Some provide a high percentage of vitamin B (which has not been proven to give you energy).
Energy drinks contain a number of herb extracts, the physical effects of which may be untested. But perhaps the most worrisome ingredient in energy drinks is the presence of high levels of caffeine. Some have as much as two to three times the amount of caffeine found in cola drinks.
It is important to note energy drinks are not sports drinks. Unlike energy drinks, the focus of sports drinks is to replace and retain valuable substances, such as electrolytes and sodium, lost during strenuous physical exertion.
Energy Drinks and Health
When consumed regularly or in large quantities, caffeine can make a person jittery and irritable. It increases the heart rate and can also cause the heart to beat irregularly. Persons who have heart problems are encouraged to avoid energy drinks.
Energy drinks can also be addicting. Just like other drugs, the caffeine in these products can produce withdrawal symptoms, including fatigue, depression, headaches and an inability to concentrate.
But caffeine is not the only harmful culprit in energy drinks. They are also typically loaded with calories. One popular energy drink contains 280 calories per 16-fluid-ounce can. Consider the typical man consumes 2,500 calories per day. Drinking two cans of energy drinks per day, then, accounts for more than 20 percent of his daily caloric intake. Assume a person drinks two cans per day for a one-week period. The result can be a weight gain of one pound per week. The math is obvious: such consumption is not exactly a prescription for weight management.
A Final Thought
You can derive a burst of energy when you consume the sugar found in a Red Bull or other similar drinks. You can also receive energy from eating a doughnut, a candy bar or sugar-filled cereal. Or, you can make the choice to consume energy-producing calories from healthful foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean meats. The choice should be clear.
Dr. Philip Heit is Professor Emeritus of Physical Activity and Educational Services at The Ohio State University.