Energy Supplements vs. Caffeine and Soda

It is no secret that caffeine and soda are not very good for you. While caffeine in moderation can have some positive health benefits in the form of tea or even coffee, soda has no nutritional value. It is also full of sugar, which actually robs the body of nutrients instead of providing anything to help the body function. Although providing little nutritional value, these products can be found almost everywhere, unlike energy supplements. For this reason, and the fact that many of these products are very sweet, soda is very popular. If energy supplements were as readily available as soda, perhaps more people would switch to this healthier option.

So what should you to do when suffering from a mid-afternoon slump at work, or when you want to find a second wind once the kids are in bed so that you can actually do something fun once you have some free time?  What about when you have work that you took home with you, or a home project you desperately want to finish but are just too tired to get it done? Energy supplements are one of several additional options other than soda or coffee that can give you more pep in your step.

Sometimes you need a pick-me-up even if you are diligent about getting your eight hours of sleep a night. People rely on diet sodas and coffee to give them a jolt, but there are other, healthier alternatives available. Caffeine, in limited doses, is a safe and very effective way to combat fatigue, and Starbucks and other coffee chains are doing very well in this country for just that reason. However, people rely heavily on sodas and coffee. Wouldn’t it be better to take something that was safe and effective, and did not leave you with a headache or jitters?  

One such supplement is green tea. It helps you remain more alert and awake, and contains great properties for the body called polyphenols and catechins.  These can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. The antioxidants found in green tea fight free radicals, and claims have been made that it helps aid weight loss efforts, combats heart disease, and helps with bone density. Coffee and soda certainly cannot make those claims.  Drinking green tea consistently over time helps keep your energy at optimum levels, and you can consume as much as you want safely.

Another great supplement for energy instead of coffee or soda is ginseng. There is Panax ginseng and Siberian ginseng and it is important to differentiate between the two. There is only ginseng in the Panax species and Siberian ginseng is not actually ginseng at all. Siberian ginseng is a different plant altogether, known as eleuthero. There is another root plant called American ginseng, but it is not as widely known because it is not as beneficial.  While eleuthero can be helpful, Panax ginseng is known to provide the best results over time.

A great set of vitamins for energy are B Vitamins. They are important in our body’s ability to fight stress. Your best bet with B vitamins is to take a B-complex, so that you make sure you are getting the full spectrum of B vitamins in one capsule.  B-12 may give you the best, quick increase in energy, so much so that some people even get B-12 injections from their doctor. Usually, there are other factors in these individual’s health however, and you do not need to go to such measures. You can get great results from combining your B-vitamins and not just limiting yourself to the B-12. They are all water-soluble vitamins that help in cell metabolism. Some of the “B’s”, such as B9, which is better known as folic acid, are vital for women who are of children bearing age.

While it is recommended to always read the label before ingesting any supplement or vitamin, many are very safe. Certain “fat burners” are very safe and effective too. If used correctly, fat burners can provide a weight loss solution and an energy source which will compliment an exercise regiment and diet as well.

If you take any one or a combination of the supplements mentioned above as an alternative to coffee and soda, you will be well on your way to better energy levels.  Combine this with a healthy diet and good exercise and sleep habits, and you will be glad that you took the time to find natural and healthy alternatives to increasing your energy levels.