It's 2:00. There's a pile of work on your desk. You need energy. You head to the convenience store down the street, making eye contact with absolutely nobody, in search of a tasty beverage. You read labels and find a drink "enhanced with the potent herbal blend of guarana, gingko, ginseng, and milk thistle." Milk thistle? It must be good for you. You continue. It's "scientifically formulated to provide an incredible energy boost for those who lead active and exhausting lifestyles." An incredible energy boost? That's exactly what you need!

According to National Public Radio, Americans spent over $2.3 billion dollars on energy drinks--Red Bull, Monster, Rock Star, to name a few. But are energy drinks a good idea or are they bad for you? Do they really provide the energy boost you need?

Energy Boost or Vicious Cycle?

The ingredients in energy drinks do provide a short term energy boost, much in the same way a cup of coffee or a can of soda might. The short term energy boost, however, is often followed by an energy crash, which makes you drink another, which causes an energy boost, followed by a subsequent crash, which causes you to drink another, followed by an energy crash...

Ingredients

Most energy drinks contain similar ingredients--caffeine, sugar, guarana, ginseng, b-vitamins, and taurine, none of which if taken in moderation cause long term damage. The problem with energy drinks is their addictive nature -- especially caffeine addiction. Health problems have been linked to over consumption of energy drinks, including kidney stones and hypertension. A look at individual ingredients may shed light on the health effects of energy drinks:

• Sugar - Your mom's been telling you that too much sugar's bad for you since you were old enough to climb on the counter and steal cookies. The large amounts of sugar in energy drinks become counterproductive, especially for those trying to lose weight. Most energy drinks offer a sugar free version.
• Caffeine - The exact amount of caffeine per energy drink varies. The average drink contains anywhere from two to four times the amount of caffeine as an equivalent amount of soda. Caffeine is a stimulant. It's addictive and can cause anxiety and sleep disorders.
• Guarana - Some claim guarana, a caffeine-containing stimulant, quickens perception, delays sleep, aids endurance based exercise, and suppresses appetite. Like caffeine, it can cause jitters, heart rate increase, and frequent urination. Although guarana is considered safe in moderation, when used too frequently, especially in combination with caffeine and taurine, it can result in serious health problems.
• Taurine - Taurine is an amino acid that supports neurological development and helps regulate the level of water and mineral salts in the blood. It should only be taken in moderation.
• B-Vitamins - B-vitamins support metabolism, help maintain muscle tone, enhance the immune system, and promote cell growth and division. If B-vitamins are all you're looking for, there are healthier ways to get them.

The best way to maintain high energy levels consists of exercise, healthy food, and water. For the occasional short term energy burst, an energy drink isn't going to kill you, but beware of over consumption.