Energy Drinks - convince me to stop.

[Vice]

I can't say I have an addiction, but I tend to drink energy drinks often. Sometimes before going out, and sometimes to help me focus when I'm reading/working on investing.

But I know they're very bad for you; to what extent? I usually have to go to the bathroom right after drinking one, and that's the last thing I want to do when I'm out on the town/on a date. And I've noticed my skin becomes very oily and I break out slightly.

Another thing to do in moderation?

I decided to replace the cravings with juice, which in my unprofessional opinion is better in all ways than energy drinks.

 

[The Bad Ass Canadian]

Any sort of caffeinated or stimulating drink can be really hard on your adrenal glands, if used excessively over the longterm.

Basically you'll burn them out. Google Addison's disease to see what happens when you completely screw your glands up.

I drink 1 coffee (black) in the morning, just to get me going and I make sure I eat well so that I don't feel tired and sluggish for the rest of the day. If you need stimulants to keep awake during the day, then you need to really assess your current situation.

Stress, diet, lack of sleep, maybe already taking too much energy drinks, thus getting burnt out... tons of things can be the root of it.

Stop drinking that stuff. It is nasty for you.

 

[Fuglydude]

Anything done to excess can have deleterious effects on your health...

My fellow Canadian made some good points about adrenal gland burn out. In addition inadequate nutrition coupled w/ constant stimulant intake can make it tough to hold onto valuable muscle tissue, affect your immune status and negatively affect many other aspects of your health as I'm sure you've noticed.

Juice is also a shiity option to replace energy drinks with. Juices are processed foods that are basically liquid sugar. Now there is a time and place to consume juice, but water is your best bet.

If you're looking for energy try cleaning you your diet, get more sleep and simply be disciplined with everyday lifestyle choices (diet and rest). This will increase energy by leaps and bounds. A couple of supplements that I swear by that give me a lot of energy are:

1. A high potency men's multivitamin (GNC has some good ones)
2. A high potency time release B-complex tab (aim for 100 mg across the board for B-vitamins)... again GNC has a good one.

I don't drink coffee and other than taking stimulants prior to working out, I don't take anything to jack me up. I do find the aforementioned combo keeps me mentally sharp without making me jittery, gives me energy and makes me feel great.

Multis are extremely under-rated supplements, and the B-complex is a fantastic supplement for increasing energy. A lot of B-vitamins act as co-factors in energy producing reactions. If your body doesn't have adequate B's then you'll more than likely have problems with energy levels. Our bodies can't store B vitamins, except for B-12, so its good to get a time release one that makes it easy to assimilate.

I think you'll notice a pretty big difference if you start on the multis and B-complex, and couple that with a more disciplined lifestyle, and you'll be healthier and happier.

 

[j0n24]

Its hard to say what is happening in your body without knowing which type of energy drink you are actually taking in the first place.

Some are full of sugar while others are full of what I like to call "Fake," Sugar yet still have the same effect and some people debate is more harmful to your body in the long run.

IF you dont want to go cold turkey you might want to look into what the energy drinks you take actually contain...

of course your going to have the caffeine but most energy drinks rely on a ****tail of : caffeine, sugar and glucoronlacatone with a few hints of taurine so as not to become dehydrated from the above ingredients.

IF you think about it try swallowing a glass of raw sugar and see how fast you need a drink of water afterwards.

IF you want to save money but still have your energy drink you might want to consider buying glucoronlacatone powder as well as some caff pills....very very cheap compared to the 12$ a case for redbull...not to mention experimenting to see what yoru ideal buzz is .

PS: Just dont take 12 caff pills at once or you will get very sick and could die.

 

[Poonani Maker]

I try to drink an FRS can in the morn, if not, I drink coffee at work, if not, I just ball it through.

 

[ENIGMA16]

Well how many are you drinking and how often? I used to have a pot of strong black coffee every morning, and the occasional Monster (Lo-Carb Monsters are one of the best things ever made) and I never really had any bad effects. Caffeine really doesn't effect me, though.

 

[JustLurk]

It's probably not going to kill you, but it is still bad for you.
You knew that, or you wouldn't have made this thread, OP.
Energy drinks, smoking, alcohol, it's all bad for you if you're the type to easily get addicted. There are some people that just aren't as affected, they take these drugs (Above are all drug products, including energy drinks.) and they are fine. Some, perhaps like yourself, get addicted and are vulnerable to withdrawal.

If you can control it, you can control your self-poisoning . The second you lose that control, you should know it's time to stop, and stop for good.

 

[Alle_Gory]

I can't say I have an addiction, but I tend to drink energy drinks often. Sometimes before going out, and sometimes to help me focus when I'm reading/working on investing.

But I know they're very bad for you; to what extent? I usually have to go to the bathroom right after drinking one, and that's the last thing I want to do when I'm out on the town/on a date. And I've noticed my skin becomes very oily and I break out slightly.

Another thing to do in moderation?

I decided to replace the cravings with juice, which in my unprofessional opinion is better in all ways than energy drinks.

They're NOT supposed to do that. If you have symptoms then there is something VERY wrong. Go talk to your doctor immediately!

A rash and sweating looks like an allergic reaction. You're drinking a mild poison.

Also, earlier you complained about being tired all the time and uneven energy levels. Caffeine loaded drinks are not helping. They just over-stimulate the adrenals for a short time and at the wrong times. You're fvcking yourself over with this addiction.

I decided to replace the cravings with juice, which in my unprofessional opinion is better in all ways than energy drinks.

You can also supplement with 5-HTP (an amino acid) for awhile whenever you feel cravings. It will make you feel better. It boosts seretonin levels which is used up in times of stress.