The Betr Way to Healthy Energy
Everyone needs a pick-me-up now and then, but when it comes to energy drinks, how do you know which ones are good for you? Sure, the bright colors and catchy names can be hard to resist, but not all energy drinks are created equal. To make sure that you’re getting the most bang for your buck (or sip), let’s take a look at what to look for and what to avoid when it comes to energy drinks.
Botanicals are Betr
Have you ever heard of adaptogens? Adaptogens are a category of botanicals - they include herbs, roots, and other plant substances that help our bodies cope with stress while restoring balance during stressful situations. These unique plants have been used in traditional Eastern medicine for centuries to regulate and enhance your overall well-being! They can provide a range of benefits, from boosting energy levels to relieving stress. Here are a few of our favorites:
- Asian Ginseng Root
- Niacin
- Green Tea Leaf
- Rhodiola Root
- Ashwagandha
Asian Ginseng Root, Niacin and Green Tea
This trio of ingredients provides a natural source of energy by stimulating your body’s production of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which is the main source of fuel for muscles during exercise. Ginseng root helps improve endurance and delay fatigue while niacin helps increase blood flow, leading to improved oxygen delivery throughout the body. Finally, green tea is rich in antioxidants that help reduce inflammation and improve recovery after intense workouts. When combined, these three ingredients provide a powerful boost to your energy levels before hitting the gym or taking on any other physical activity.
Rhodiola Root and Ashwaghanda
Adaptogens like rhodiola root and ashwagandha are increasingly popular as people become more aware of their benefits. Rhodiola root has been found to reduce stress hormone levels while enhancing cognitive performance and improving moods; it also boosts energy levels when taken regularly over time. Similarly, ashwagandha is well known for its calming effects on the mind and body due to its ability to regulate cortisol levels; this makes it great for managing stress while improving concentration and mental clarity.
Sugar Shock
Sugar has become a major contributor to the rising rates of obesity and diabetes in the United States. This is due in part to its addictive nature. Eating sugar triggers dopamine production in the brain which causes a feeling of pleasure or reward that encourages people to consume more sugar. This leads to cravings for sugary snacks which can lead to excessive consumption and weight gain. The World Health Organization recommends limiting your daily intake of added sugars (those found in processed foods) to no more than six teaspoons per day for an adult, or less than 10% of your total daily calorie intake.
Did you know that many popular energy drinks contain anywhere from 27 to 63 grams of sugar per can which is about 2-4 times the recommended daily intake of sugar? Like most foods, not all sugars are created equal either; understanding the differences between natural, processed, and alternatives can help us make smarter decisions on how we fuel up for our day.
Natural Sugar
Natural sugar is made up of three main components – glucose, fructose, and sucrose. Glucose and fructose are both single-molecule forms of sugar that can be absorbed directly into the bloodstream. Sucrose, on the other hand, is composed of two molecules of both glucose and fructose—a double-molecule form of sugar that requires digestion before it can be absorbed by the body. These natural sugars can be found in fruits and certain sweeteners like honey, molasses, maple syrup, and agave nectar.
White Sugar
White cane sugar or table sugar has been heavily processed to remove most, if not all, trace nutrients from it. It consists almost entirely of sucrose—the double-molecule form of sugar mentioned earlier—which means it takes longer to digest than its natural counterpart. The processing also increases its glycemic index (GI) value; this measures how quickly a food will raise your blood glucose levels after eating it. Foods with higher GI values cause quicker spikes in blood glucose levels which puts strain on your body's insulin response system over time.
But we get it - it’s not the most realistic thing for most to juice a few apples every day for an energy fix. So what’s a good alternative to processed sugar in energy drinks?
Alternatives: Stevia Sweet Leaf & Monk Fruit
Stevia Sweet Leaf and Monk Fruit are two natural sweeteners that are becoming increasingly popular as healthy alternatives to sugar. Both sweeteners come from plants but they offer different health benefits. Stevia Sweet Leaf contains compounds that help regulate blood pressure levels while Monk Fruit contains antioxidants that can help reduce inflammation in the body. They both have a low glycemic index which means they won't cause a spike in blood glucose levels like regular table sugar will so they make good choices for diabetics who need to monitor their blood glucose levels carefully. Additionally, both sweeteners contain few calories so they can be used as substitutes for added sugars without worrying about extra calories from added sugars.
Health Benefits Of Stevia Sweet Leaf & Monk Fruit
Both Stevia Sweet Leaf and Monk Fruit have been found by research studies to have numerous health benefits when used as replacements for regular table sugar or artificial sweeteners like corn syrup or high fructose corn syrup (HFCS). They have been found to help lower cholesterol levels, reduce inflammation throughout the body, improve digestion by helping regulate stomach acidity levels, slow down aging by reducing cell damage caused by free radicals, and even promote better dental hygiene because they do not feed bacteria growth as regular table sugar does!
Additionally, both sweeteners contain compounds that can help regulate blood pressure levels making them excellent choices for those who suffer from hypertension or high blood pressure problems due to lifestyle or genetics factors. Finally, unlike artificial sweeteners like HFCS, which may be linked with certain types of cancers in humans, there's no evidence linking either Stevia Sweet Leaf or Monk Fruit with any negative side effects on human health when consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet plan.
Finding an energy drink
Adaptogen-based energy drinks can provide a range of benefits that go beyond just providing an immediate energy boost before exercising; they also help with longer-term energy support, reducing stress hormone levels, increasing cognitive performance, and improving mood—all important factors when it comes to getting the maximum benefit from a go-to energy drink.
Secondly, to keep your health in check, opt for healthier alternatives to sugar like monk fruit and stevia or natural sweeteners instead of high fructose corn syrup or processed white sugars. It's a simple switch that can benefit your body tremendously!
