It is undeniable that energy drinks play a huge role in our daily lives. A bottle of Coca-Cola or Monster would help lighten up the mood or increase energy levels on a sunny day or after an exhausting week. Not only on occasions of exhaustion, but energy drinks are also essential at parties, family gatherings, picnics, and much more. The never-ending demand for beverages explains the vast enlargement of energy drink companies recently; some have even gone viral because of their aesthetics and benefits.
Even though energy drinks are widely consumed, some brands are not essentially beneficial to our health. For instance, some beverages contain a large amount of sugar and carbs, which potentially cause health issues such as diabetes and obesity. Some other energy drinks contain excessive caffeine content that affects the functionality of our body, causing headaches and dizziness. However, not all energy drinks are unhealthy, too, as many brands have emerged and advertised themselves as healthy for pro athletes. Some just don’t necessarily have a vast amount of harmful ingredients. This article will bring you the most beneficial energy drinks you should never miss.
Zevia Energy
Zevia Energy is one to notice if we talk about healthy energy drinks. It is a US beverage brand founded in 2007 as a healthier alternative to other energy drinks, such as coke, with vast amounts of sugar and calories. It began to receive considerable attention for being stevia-based, which was unique in the energy drinks market. The special feature Zevia has is that it is not made of GMO products but only of organic ingredients, essentially refreshing stevia leaf extract. Additionally, it has zero calories, zero sugar content, zero fat, and zero carbs, ensuring a clean, healthy lifestyle. Not to mention, it has no artificial colors or sweeteners.
As it contains no sugar or sweeteners, it has a natural aroma from the stevia leaf and other natural fruits for different flavors. Moreover, a can of Zevia has 120 milligrams of caffeine, an adequate amount for a healthy diet that provides optimal benefits if consumed rightfully. For instance, it gives you an energy boost to be alert and focused as well as more endurance for a challenging workout or exercise session.
Zevia Energy has six different flavors, including cola for those who want the original taste of soft drinks except the sugar and carbs; pineapple coconut for those who wish for a beachy, Hawaiian vibe; and mango ginger, raspberry lime, strawberry kiwi, and grapefruit.
Zoa Zero Sugar Energy Drink
It is not a coincidence that healthy energy drinks start with ‘Z,’ but the second healthy soft drink on the list is from Zoa. The one exciting thing about this beverage brand is that it was founded by the one and only Dwayne Johnson, aka The Rock. If you’re a fan of WWE, Fast Furious, and Black Adam, then you would know this legend. Besides his excellent acting skills, another standout point about him is his physical shape, which explains why his energy drink is healthy and is advertised especially for pro athletes or gym beasts.
The brand is relatively new, as it was just founded in 2021. Nevertheless, it is a healthier alternative to other soft drinks due to its ingredients, stimulants, and sugar-free. It has a delicious taste and other beneficial nutrients, essentially Vitamin C. Every can of Zoa is filled with vitamin C to boost the immune system and other vitamin B to enhance mental health and increase concentration. This drink also helps in keeping your hydration level high with stimulants such as potassium and magnesium. Additionally, for athletes or gymnastics who are working to build more muscles, this drink is not the one to miss as it has chains of amino acids that have been shown to improve muscle growth.
Besides, it contains 160 milligrams of caffeine per can, just a little bit higher than Zevia, stimulating your energy level throughout the day. The drink’s nutrition facts include zero grams of fat and added sugar, 3 grams of carbs, 10 grams of calories, and 200 milligrams of sodium. After this drink, you’re guaranteed the energy to have a body like ‘The Rock.’
Celsius Energy Drink
Founded in 2005, this American energy drink received vast attention during the pandemic on various social media platforms due to its healthy beverage features. Celsius offers a wide range of flavors, of which 15 are sparkling waters, and others are fruit-flavored such as grape, orange, strawberry, and more. However, the one that is suitable for people who like exercising is no other than the Celsius Live Fit. Due to the continuous demand for this drink, there are accessible supplies almost everywhere around all corners of towns. You can find it in nearly every convenience store, supermarket, or gas station.
The main features of its benefits are the ingredients and elements in the drinks. Containing 200 milligrams per can makes the beverage well-favored for caffeine lovers who intake daily to produce alertness and focus. Also, boost energy and endurance for hard workout sessions. Most caffeine is natural from green tea extract and ginger, which helps improve skin conditions and reduce swells.
Besides caffeine, the drink has little to no sugar, with only ten calories per can, which is ideal for people who don’t like sweets. Like the previously mentioned brands, Celsius also contains several vitamins and minerals, vitamins B and C for energy production and immune system enhancement, and chromium for hunger control.
Nuun Sport
This energy drink differs from the other brands mentioned above as it is packed as a dissolvable drink. It is well known for its convenience as it is easy to carry the small tube around and put in water to drink just before any workout sessions to grasp the energy needed.
Small in size, yet it is highly effective. It provides a potent combination of green tea, vitamin B, electrolytes, and ginseng to boost your energy levels. Moreover, a tablet consists of 80 milligrams of caffeine, equivalent to a regular coffee, for alertness and endurance. Furthermore, it contains zero artificial sweeteners and only has natural stevia flavors.
Plus, a package of Nuun would give you ten servings, which is convenient for you not to avoid buying one can of drink every day. The overall nutrition of Nuun includes zero fat, 4 grams of carbs, 15 grams of calories, 80 milligrams of caffeine, and 300 milligrams of sodium.
Guayaki Yerba Mate
Shifting a bit from an American brand, we have an Argentine energy drink called Guayaki Yerba Mate. It is made from Argentine green herbs called yerba mate, which is prominent in South American families. It has a natural caffeine content from the tea leaves and a joyful taste of chocolate.
Additionally, it has no sugar or artificial sweeteners, ensuring the tea’s natural flavor. It also contains no carbs but has five calories per can due to the additional lime juice. It has 80 milligrams of caffeine per can, which is ideal for a decent energy boost. Guayaki offers a wide range of flavors, from lemon, orange, mint, and sparkling water.
FOCUSAID Clean Energy
Another one on the list is FOCUSAID energy drink. As its name suggests, it helps you focus with supplements such as GABA for relieving stress and focus, ginseng for effective learning, and other elements that support concentration.
This drink is for you if you think energy drinks are not right without sweetness. It contains natural nectar to eliminate the bitter taste of stevia, accounting for 7 grams of total sugar. It has 40 calories, 9 grams of carbs, and 100 milligrams of caffeine.
What Makes an Energy Drink Healthy?
It is essential to keep your energy drink as low in sugar and carbs as possible to avoid weight gain, diabetes, and obesity. Hence, you should go for sugar-free energy drinks or containing a small amount of sugar. Additionally, you should look for beverages with various vitamins and minerals, essentially vitamins B and C, for energy production and protection of the immune system. It also protects you from multiple diseases and makes your skin clearer. Besides that, you should search for good caffeine content; indeed, 100 to 200 milligrams of caffeine is decent for increasing metabolism, fat burn, enhanced focus and endurance for exercise, and keeping in shape. Besides, amino acids are essential for mental health improvement and stability, which should be noticed.
Final Thoughts
Energy drinks are crucial to our daily lives, whether for casual consumption or a quick energy boost for daily workouts or exercise sessions. However, consuming excessive energy drinks is also not recommended as some contain a large amount of sugar and carbs that are unhealthy for overall health. Therefore, drinking healthy energy drinks that have zero sugar or additional artificial sweeteners is encouraged. The listed energy drinks above are among the most beneficial energy drinks recommended by many people, especially pro-athletes and gym beasts, as it has little to no sugar or fat and ensures various vitamins and minerals that improve both physical and mental health. What are you waiting for? Grab one can of a healthy energy drink for a clean lifestyle.
