Canned energy

So, where do nutritionists stand on the matter?

‘Drinks that boost energy have a role in sports nutrition,’ says nutritionist Penny Hunking, an accredited sports dietitian and Managing Director of Energise Nutrition, a nutrition consulting business based in Surrey. She explains that the range of sugars present in products such as Red Bull can help raise energy levels, particularly if you aren’t eating regular nutritious meals or snacks. However, these drinks only provide a short-term fix and shouldn’t be relied upon to supply long-term energy. She also points out that people need to drink plenty of water when consuming energy drinks as the high levels of caffeine may cause dehydration.

Energy drinks should never be mixed with alcohol, as the combined effect is unknown. The Swedish government is currently investigating whether or not such a mixture caused the deaths of two young people in Stockholm who mixed vodka with one of these drinks.

Instead of turning to energy drinks on a regular basis, Hunking recommends starchy carbohydrate foods such as bread, potatoes and pasta for boosting energy. These foods, which release glucose slowly into the blood, will help keep energy levels high throughout the day.

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