Energy drinks were all the rage in the 90s and early 2000s. The hype has died down, but they are still a significant part of diets around the country. The problem is energy drinks aren’t healthy! Luckily, there are natural energy drinks and recipes you can use as substitutes.
The best natural energy drinks and recipes can be made at home to give you energy naturally while saving money and your body. We all know that caffeine gives us energy; it's why we drink coffee or energy drinks.
But energy drinks have far more caffeine than coffee, and the stats are pretty scary. In fact, you may wonder why energy drinks are even on the market after reading the numbers. There is roughly 70 to 240 mg of caffeine in a 16 oz can.
For easier comparison, there is 35 mg of caffeine in a 12 oz can of soda. This high level of caffeine led to the number of hospital visits related to the drinks doubling between 2007 and 2011.
The question is, why are so many people going to the hospital with energy drink-related issues? Caffeine is the answer. Large amounts of caffeine can lead to heart issues like raised heart rate, higher blood pressure, and heart rhythm issues.
Caffeine also causes anxiety, sleep issues, digestive problems, and more. It is important to note that caffeine itself isn’t the problem; it is the amount of caffeine that is the problem.
Energy drinks have a label that tells us what’s inside, and we think that the number next to caffeine on the label is what is in the drink. However, most energy drinks use guarana, which has caffeine in it and increases the amount of caffeine in our bodies.
That is why we should turn to natural energy drinks and recipes that let us control the amount of caffeine we drink.
Matcha Green Tea Energy | The Glowing Fridge
Breakfast Energy Smoothie | Deliciously Sprinkled
Ginger Green Tea Energy Drink | My Plant Power Plate
Fruit Juice Energy | The Healthy Home Economist
Honey Ginger Energy | Christina Carlyle
Natural Energy Drinks and Recipes
These recipes can easily be made at home, which already makes them exceedingly better than canned energy drinks. You get to control the ingredients and amounts, so you know exactly what is in the drink you’re consuming.
We didn’t even touch on the sugar in energy drinks which is 54 to 62 grams of added sugar per 16 oz can. The recommended amount of added sugars we should take in per day is 24 grams.
Drinking one canned energy drink means taking in more than two days' worth of added sugar.
Mixed-Berry Green Power Smoothie | Whole and Heavenly Oven
Electrolyte Energy | Every Day Roots
Chia Fresca | Hey Nutrition Lady
Lemon Lime Energy | Green Thickies
Sweet Lemon Ginger Power | Inspired Taste
Natural Energy
There are natural foods that can give us energy in a much healthier manner. Hard-boiled eggs increase alertness, walnuts provide protein and omega-3s, which increase energy, and beets add natural nitrates.
Nitrates convert into nitric oxide in the body, which increases the amount of oxygen your body can absorb. Increased oxygen will not only increase your energy levels, but it also improves athletic performance.
Ultimately, natural energy drinks and recipes are far superior to canned stuff.
Apple, Beetroot, and Ginger Juice | Drizzle & Drip
Turmeric Ginger Carrot Juice | Breakfast Criminals
Wake Me Up Smoothie | Skinny Ms.
Homemade Celsius Drink | Mocktail
Sunburst Drink | Mama’s On a Budget
