Today was a mighty fine day. Got my fresh new copy of Consumer Reports -- always a good deal. I love CR. They always have great office minded (and other) reviews and they add a dash of almost cynical humor. Not ha ha funny; but funny they are.
The September issue rocks for numerous reasons but one of the most amusing reviews they covered this upcoming month was energy drinks. I know a lot of office workers who drink these energy drinks towards the end of the day hoping to add a little pep to their step. But CR had the down low and it's not all great news.
Here are some CR stats:
- US energy searching folks spent a grand total of $744 million on power drinks like Red Bull, No Fear, and Rockstar; among others.
- CR feels that these drinks may especially appeal to the younger generation.
- A cup of coffee has about 100 mg of caffeine (my caffeine drink of choice) and a coke has about 24 mg of caffeine.
- A typical energy drink is larger in size and may have up to 200 mg of caffine -- most people tend to down more than one. You really should limit caffeine intake to 300 mg or under a day.
CR tested a bunch of these energy drinks and noted that most tasted sweet and many were also bitter. Typically they come in fruity, citrus, or cream soda flavors. If you pick up the magazine you can see the full review of caffeine content, taste, and ingredients.
CR is proclaiming that one of these drinks it okay once in a while; but it's likely not a good idea to make it an addiction. The best bit of this whole review were the claims made by the drink companies. Look at this clip from CR:
"Claims can be nonsensical. Red Bull says it "improves performance, especially during times of increased stress or strain," but high caffeine levels can actually cause anxiety."
They're not wrong. What you don't need is extra stress.
If you need more energy at the office try a brisk outdoor walk, getting more sleep at night, or energizing your office with a hot bowl of water with some essential oils (orange, grapefruit, mint) sprinkled in. A power-packed snack like an apple, chocolate trail mix, or almonds can perk you up as well.
Energy drinks are an ok quick fix, but some are full of calories and they don't inspire healthy long-term habits.
How do you perk yourself up towards the end of a long workday?
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