Pretty much all energy drinks out there, including 5-Hour Energy (the product question that sparked this article) work because of a combination of vitamins, amino acids, caffeine and sugar (or artificial sweeteners). These drinks ARE effective for most people at least to some degree. The more important question to ask yourself is, why am I so tired I have to use these drinks? For the answer to that question, please see my article ‘Why Am I Feeling Tired? Boost Energy Naturally’
Let’s talk about ingredients first. In this regard, 5-Hour Energy is actually a pretty good product, for a mass-market beverage. It’s energy boost relies mostly on B vitamins and amino acids. The amount of caffeine is moderate. Depending on which formula you use, you have the option of the equivalent of a regular cup of coffee (about 12 mg), a large (think Starbucks Venti - about 24 mg) or a half-cup of decaf ( 6 mg - yes decaf is NOT no caff!). There’s not a lot of sugar in there, which is the other way a lot of energy drinks boost your energy. The problem with both caffeine and sugar is that they boost your energy temporarily, but they also mess up your blood sugar/insulin balance, which will lead to an energy CRASH 1-2 hours later. The product DOES contain sucralose, which some people are sensitive to. I don’t personally like the taste. The chlorine molecule that changes the composition of regular sugar into something your body doesn’t recognise or digest (therefore it passes out without adding calories), stands out to me. But most people don’t notice it. I prefer stevia or erythriol myself - both natural and non-chemical tasting.
The B vitamins in this product are water-soluble vitamins (most B’s are) which means that excess amounts are eventually flushed out of the body. They can’t accumulate, so they are considered non-toxic (at least for most people. There’s always someone out there who’s allergic to something). B-12 helps the body convert carbs to energy. Folic Acid, B-6 and Niacin help the nervous system, improve focus and boost circulation. If you’re sensitive to Niacin, you’ll feel flushed, and possibly a little itchy. It’s not serious and it wears off fairly quickly. Most people don’t notice anything except improved energy levels. B’s also improve red blood cell production and keep your mood positive.
The amino acids, Tyrosine, Taurine, Phenylalanine and Citicoline, along with Malic Acid and Glucoronlactone boost energy, strengthen the heart muscle, improve thyroid function, and boost neurotransmitter levels (particularly norepenipherine) that boost mood and energy. All good so far. However, some people are sensitve to Tyrosine (usually the same people who are sensitive to caffeine) and will get jitters from it. The two together will often make you feel a bit anxious. Also, very rarely, some people are so allergic to phenylalanine they get very sick from it. You’d probably know if that was you, as it occurs naturally in a number of foods. Still, it’s not a bad product. If you’re going to do these energy drinks on an occasional basis, just keep the sugar and the caffeine content as low as possible. Most of them aren’t any worse for you than a cup of coffee and will boost your energy levels considerably more than coffee with less effect on your blood sugar.
