Running has been praised as a simple cardio exercise by many people. It is often considered the best exercise because it doesn’t require any equipment and is a skill that every human knows. Some of the benefits associated with running include weight loss, improved cardiovascular health, and increased stamina.
There are a few different types of drinks that can help give you a boost while running. These include energy drinks, sports drinks, and even coffee. Energy drinks can help you run faster and for a longer period of time, while sports drinks can help replenish your electrolytes and keep you hydrated. Coffee can also help improve your performance, but it is important to make sure that you don’t drink too much, as it can lead to dehydration.
An array of energy drinks are available for purchase if you’re looking for a beverage to drink before going on a run. This article will go over the best energy drinks for running and answer some common questions people have about them.
What Should You Consider While Buying An Energy Drink?
Caffeine
Before you purchase an energy drink, you should take a close look at the label, paying special attention to the caffeine content. The reason for this is that the effects of caffeine can be positive or negative, depending on how much you consume.
Caffeine is a stimulant found in many products, including tea, coffee, and cola. It boosts mental alertness and has other benefits as well.
Caffeine can have some beneficial effects on physical endurance and driving performance. However, it is important not to consume too much of it, as this can lead to some unwanted side effects. The most common side effects of caffeine include:
- sleeplessness
- anxiety
- digestive issues
- fatigue
- addiction
- muscle breakdown
- rapid heart rate
- frequent urination and urgency
But how much caffeine can I consume safely per day?
Most adults can safely consume up to 400mg of caffeine per day without any complications. However, it is better for you to keep your caffeine consumption below the 200mg mark if you are not used to consuming large amounts of caffeine. Consuming too much caffeine can lead to adverse effects such as anxiety and jitteriness.
Sugar
Sugar is a common ingredient in energy drinks. It not only gives them a sweet flavor but also provides a temporary energy boost. In large amounts, however, sugar can lead to weight gain and other health problems.
The American Heart Association recommends that men and women limit their sugar intake to 36 grams and 24 grams per day, respectively. These guidelines are based on the average daily calories needed for each sex and aim to help reduce the risk of heart disease.
You might think that consuming sugar every now and then won’t do any harm, but eating too much sugar can actually have some serious consequences. If you overconsume sugar for an extended period of time, you could end up developing problems like:
- high blood pressure
- cardiovascular disease
- weight gain
- diabetes
- acne
In addition to the unhealthy effects of consuming too many calories, you can also experience a sugar crash that can make you lethargic and tired. A sugar crash occurs when your blood sugar levels drop suddenly after eating sugary foods. This can leave you feeling weak, fatigued, and irritable. To avoid a sugar crash, eat balanced meals that include healthy carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.
Calories
When it comes to energy drinks, another factor you can consider is the calorie content. Energy from food or beverages can be measured in calories, and if you’re an average adult, you should consume around 2000-2500 calories per day. Therefore, choosing an energy drink with a high-calorie content could impact your overall daily intake.
Athletes are increasingly concerned with their calorie intake and many are turning to zero-calorie energy drinks to help them stay fit. These drinks can be a helpful way to control calorie intake and improve performance during running and other activities.
Before a run, you can drink any beverage that you like, as long as it doesn’t have too much sugar or caffeine. Some good options are:
- Water
- Tea
- Coffee
- Sports Drinks
- Energy Drinks
- Beet Juice
- Tart Cherry Juice
These beverages can help you stay energized and hydrated while running.
There are a lot of great energy drinks for running out there, but which one is the best for you? Here are our top choices:
Best Energy Drinks For Running
1. Celsius Energy Drink
There are many Celsius energy drinks that contain a “Metaplus Proprietary Blend.” This blend is a combination of ingredients that are designed to help you feel more energetic and alert.
If you’re looking for a way to keep your caffeine intake around 200mg, Celsius Originals, Celsius Stevia, or the Celsius On-the-Go version are all great options. Out of the three, the Celsius On-the-Go version is a powdered energy drink that is definitely worth trying if you’re a fan of powdered energy drinks.
Celsius BCAAS is the light caffeinated version of Celsius. It means it’s perfect for someone who prefers not to consume large amounts of caffeine. This makes it a great choice for those who are looking to cut down on their intake but still want to enjoy the benefits of a delicious and nutritious drink.
Celsius Heat is one of the strongest energy drinks on the market. If you can’t handle two to three cups of coffee per day, you shouldn’t try this one. The high caffeine content in this drink means that it’s not for everyone, and if you’re sensitive to caffeine, you should stay away from Celsius Heat.
2. Xyience Energy Drink
If you’re looking for an energy drink that will give you a pre-workout boost without any sugar or calories, Xyience is a great option. Each 16 fl. oz can of Xyience contains around 176mg of caffeine, as well as energy-boosting ingredients like taurine, L-carnitine, and guarana. So if you need an extra boost of energy to help you power through your workout, Xyience is worth checking out.
Although Xyience is a sugar-free energy drink, it has a sweet flavor because of the artificial sweeteners it contains. It has some decent fruity flavors as well. You can try Frostberry Blast, Mango Guava, and Fruity Punch flavor of the Xyience energy drink.
You can find some great deals on Xyience online if you do a bit of digging. A 16 fl. oz. serving of Xyience energy drink typically costs around $2.
3. C4 Energy Drink
C4 energy drink comes in several different flavors, so you can find the one that best suits your taste. If you’re looking for a boost of energy, there’s also a version of C4 that contains caffeine. No matter what your needs are, there’s a C4 energy drink to help you get through the day.
- C4 Original
- C4 Smart Energy
- C4 Natural Zero
- C4 Ultimate
You will be pleased to know that all versions of C4 do not have any sugar or calories. C4 energy drinks get their energy from caffeine. The amount of caffeine and other ingredients in the drink can vary depending on the product line.
C4 energy drink includes a patented blend called “Explosive Performance Energy Blend.” This blend has ingredients like citrulline malate, CarnoSyn beta-alanine, and caffeine anhydrous. These ingredients can give you a boost to do your best in the run. CarnoSyn beta-alanine has been clinically shown to improve performance during exercise, while citrulline malate has been shown to support blood flow and oxygen delivery to working muscles. Caffeine anhydrous is a form of caffeine that is quickly absorbed by the body for an immediate energy boost.
4. Aspire Energy Drink
Aspire energy drink might be the perfect drink for you if you’re looking for a light, carbonated beverage with a moderate amount of caffeine. It’s made with natural ingredients and only contains 80mg of caffeine, making it a great choice for those who want to avoid consuming too much caffeine.
If you drink a cup of coffee every day, then switching to Aspire energy drink is a great option. Aspire doesn’t have the bitter taste that coffee does, making it a more enjoyable drink. Plus, you’ll still get the same energy-boosting benefits that coffee provides.
This energy drink is also packed with essential vitamins that can help replenish your body’s stores if you’re about to embark on a strenuous activity like a run. When you sweat, you not only lose water but also important nutrients like vitamins, so it’s helpful to have a source of them close by to prevent any deficiency.
However, you shouldn’t over-rely or depend on an energy drink for essential vitamins. You should ideally follow or maintain a diet that is rich in vitamins instead. This way, you can be sure to get the nutrients and vitamins your body needs on a daily basis without having to rely too much on sugary energy drinks.
5. Red Bull Energy Drink
If you’re a fan of energy drinks, then you’ve probably heard of Red Bull. It’s one of the most popular options on the market, and for good reason. The perfect blend of ingredients can give you the extra boost of energy you need to power through your workout. Plus, it doesn’t contain any out-of-the-ordinary or potentially harmful ingredients.
Although Red Bull only contains 80mg of caffeine, it does have 27g of sugar. This is unlike other energy drinks which don’t have as much sugar. Although this product has a few more grams of sugar than what is recommended for women, that extra energy can come in handy during a run.
If you’re planning to drink Red Bull, you should limit yourself to one serving per day. Too much sugar can lead to health problems like obesity and diabetes, so it’s important to be cautious when consuming energy drinks.
