Regular consumption of traditional energy drinks can have negative health effects, including raising blood pressure, increasing heart rate, and affecting cardiac excitability, according to Dr. Aniello Maiese, a doctor at Sapienza University of Rome. However, not all energy drinks are inherently dangerous, as the risk is influenced by factors such as quantity consumed, caffeine concentration, and the presence of other stimulants.
Dr. Maiese advises caution with the term 'natural caffeine,' stating that the caffeine molecule remains the same regardless of its source, whether coffee, green tea, or matcha. The total amount of caffeine and other ingredients, along with consumption quantity, are more significant than the source itself. Furthermore, 'natural caffeine' does not guarantee an energy boost without a subsequent crash.
While no energy drink can be accurately described as 'healthy,' some may be more favorable from a nutritional and cardiovascular perspective. In an effort to find alternatives, five drinks were reviewed for their taste and energy-providing capabilities.
Bloom’s drink offered a lightly sparkling, pleasant flavor that was preferred over Red Bull, with a more gradual and longer-lasting energy release. Gillian Anderson’s ‘G Spot’ Awaken can, a 'functional energy' drink with passionfruit and habanero, was a favorite for its taste, though it did not provide a significant energizing effect. PerfectTed’s drinks, utilizing natural caffeine from matcha and green tea, aimed for steady energy and focus. While the cherry flavor was not to the reviewer's taste, the peach flavor was enjoyable and provided a noticeable energy boost, with 80mg of caffeine per 250ml.
Two other options proved less successful. One drink, described as having a fiery mango flavor, was found to be unpalatable due to an intense heat and an unpleasant undertone, with the reviewer unable to finish the half-liter can. Another, Grass & Co’s Liquid Power, had a strong ginger flavor that made it feel more like a health shot, and its energizing effects were questionable despite being refreshing.