Site Meter Healthy B.P.M. » Blog Archive » Canned Energy

Canned Energy

by Sandra Garth
Caffeine, Taurine, Guarana Seed, Milk thistle, Ginkgo Biloba, and Ginseng are just a few of the ingredients listed on most energy drinks. Sounds like you leaping tall buildings in a single bound right?

Mama used to say “Tell the truth and let God love you”, so I’m gonna fess up. I’ve tried a couple of them. What were you expecting me to say? There’ve been some days when I felt like my get up and go, got up and went; without me. Most are glorified soda pop, but with a few of them I felt a little ump. Wonder where it came from. Let’s look at those ingredients again.

Caffeine

I don’t think a detailed explanation of what caffeine is and what it does is needed, let’s move on.

Taurine

An amino acid vital to the brain, heart, and muscles. The kicker here is that we get an ample supply of taurine in dietary protein, so that takes the mystique out of that one.

Milk Thistle

This herb is supposed to protect the liver. Milk thistle is also involved in a number of other functions and act as an anti-inflammatory agent. Don’t think that was it either.

Ginkgo Biloba

Ginkgo has been shown in numerous studies to improve blood flow to the brain, and it is therefore thought to improve concentration and memory. It improves blood flow in general and as such is useful for circulatory problems that lead to fluid retention. We’re getting closer.

Ginseng

Ginseng is known as an adaptogen, which means it increases resistance to physical, chemical, and biological stress and builds up energy and general vitality, including the mental and physical capacity for work. I think we’re on to something!

Guarna Seed Extract

Guarna is reputed to be a stimulant and increase mental alertness, fight fatigue, and increase stamina and physical endurance. Guarana is also one of the richest sources of caffeine, containing up to three times the amount of caffeine as coffee. Woo-hoo, we’re bouncing and behaving now!

What it boils down to is caffeine, no presto chango magic substance. Package literature says that the caffeine in most of these drinks is the equivalent of a cup of coffee. Keep in mind that with caffeine can come a host of other problems. Irritability, heart palpitations, and jitters to name a few. Another thing you have to watch for is the sugar; these drinks can be loaded with the sweet stuff. As usual the choice is yours, and remember the magic is in you, and me.

 


Leave a Reply


About Healthy B.P.M.

Do you want the heart beat of healthy living? Do you want daily updates on the health obsession? Welcome aboard people! Healthy B.P.M is a blog fattened by everything fat, fun and fitness. Not to mention the tragedy of eating disorders, the humor of unchanging weight scales, the luxury of spas and the never- ending pursuit for the ideal body and mind. Digestible language on diet do’s and don’ts. Read it.

Healthy B.P.M. Author(s)
    » Sandra-Garth

Science & Health Channel Posts

  • Withdrawing from medication
    You know, as I mentioned in a previous post, I have seen some real crazy doctors.  And, had I been as smart man years ago to know that they not only don’t know everything, they also don’t [...]
  • Is their Relief when Eating Healthy?
    There comes a huge sense of relief when I am eating natural foods like fruits and vegetables. I don't question what I am putting into my body because it is all natural. If I had the money, I would [...]
  • JM One - Craving Zero
    Things have been going great for me over the past month and a half or so. I’m finally seeing weight loss, I’m feeling better about myself, I’m actually happy to exercise… So far, so [...]
  • Just Say No
    I just read an article that suggested that how we think determines our success with weight loss. I couldn’t agree more. It also went on to say that it’s in our best interest to eliminate an all [...]
  • Halfway Through
    Wow. Half way through 2009 already. Well, I don't feel particularly mystified about where the time has gone, it is interesting to think about how we're half way through another year. Have goals [...]
  • Giving Up Junk Food Day
    This is a big step for me. I have been allowing myself to eat junk food once per week and my weight is maintaining because of it. I want to lose 6 pounds. For me to do it, I have to let go of my junk [...]
  • Summer Beach Reading Giveaway Ending Soon!
    Heading to the beach with nothing to read? Now you can head out in style with a book from one (or more!) of your favorite authors! Pump Up Your Book Promotion is hosting our very first Summer [...]
  • Sugar Drinks
    I have been using sugar drinks like mochas as a way to keep me away from all the crappy food I have been craving. Does this keep my weight down? I don't think so. There are still tons of calories in [...]
  • Recipe: Cheesy White Bean Hummus with Nutritional Yeast
    Ever since discovering nutritional yeast, I have been trying to find more ways to use it. If you are not familiar with it, nutritional yeast comes as yellow flakes or a powder and has a cheesy [...]
  • Heart Health
    Everyone knows that working out is good for your body. However, do you really understand the correlation between aerobics and heart health? Thankfully many people are aware that doing aerobics is one [...]

Hot Off The Press

  • Becoming Medieval
    I'm in a medieval mood, mostly because I'm reading a delightful manuscript by Felicity Pulman. Just wait til it gets published, then you, too, can be in medieval mode. Or... maybe you don't [...]
  • Little things
    There are a lot of things that suck about being a part time dad. Not having him here all the time. Going half days on holidays and birthdays. The big stuff that you think about when seperated parents [...]
  • 4TH OF JULY REMEMBRANCES
    Tomorrow is the Fourth of July, Independance Day here in the U.S., and I thought it only appropriate to spend a few minutes thinking about the price paid for our "freedom". Have you ever [...]
  • Friday Fill-Ins 131
    Wow, talk about a stressful day. I don't know what I'd do if it wasn't Friday as well. Maybe declare some sort of holiday or take a sick day... Wow. So glad it's Friday! And...here we [...]
  • Out Of Key T-Shirt
    Whacked. Not like, "This shirt is whack." Whacked like Tony Soprano whacked. $17 Buy [...]
  • New Spin Cycle: Sting, Jeff Jarrett, Jim Cornette, Don West
    JB is back with the latest edition of "TNA Spin Cycle", featuring Sting, Jeff Jarrett, Jim Cornette and Don West. [...]
  • Clip of the Week
    This week's clip comes from Guiding Light. It is a clip from the Bauer BBQ of Danny and Michelle getting married. [...]
  • Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Chapter Twenty-Eight Wrap Up
    Chapter Twenty-Eight of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is called "Flight of the Prince." Snape rushes the Death Eaters out of the tower after the killing Dumbledore. Harry soon realizes [...]
  • The new Radar Video!
    Here's the new music video for the single "Radar"! It's not like her others - there's a notable lack of dancing and tight choreography, but it takes us on different type of journey through telling a [...]
  • Volleyball's Schlagintweit and Meek selected to Senior Canadian Volleyball roster
    After two weeks of intensive training following the selection camp held last month, the roster for the Senior Women's National Team has been determined. Nineteen players have been selected by Head [...]