What are the functions of energy drinks? You must know this!

Functional drinks are a must-drink for many people after exercising. They can be found on supermarket shelves and in vending machines in gyms and stadiums.

Functional drinks are advertised to have various functions, such as providing energy, enhancing physical strength, relieving anxiety, changing state, etc. Many people choose them to replenish electrolytes and enhance physical strength after exercise. However, do functional drinks really have these advertised functions?

01 What are energy drinks?

Functional beverages are beverages with specific functions or benefits. They usually contain specific nutrients, additives or herbs, designed to provide consumers with certain health benefits or meet certain physiological or nutritional needs. These beverages are usually designed to have not only basic taste and mouthfeel, but also additional functional ingredients to meet the special needs of consumers.

In our daily life, it is common to drink sports drinks after exercise to relieve fatigue and restore energy . Functional drinks are rich in electrolyte ingredients, mainly including five ion elements: Na, Cl, Ca, Mg, and K. Secondly, they are rich in vitamin C, which can replenish water and necessary nutrients at the same time.

02 The development history of functional drinks

The history of functional drinks dates back to ancient civilizations, with some herbal drinks in ancient Greece and Rome believed to have medicinal value. However, the rise and evolution of modern functional drinks occurred mainly in the 20th and early 21st centuries.

1. Early 20th century: the birth of vitamin drinks

In the early 20th century, people began to realize the importance of vitamins to health. Some companies seized the business opportunity and began to manufacture vitamin drinks, such as vitamin C drinks, to meet people's demand for vitamins.

2. 1960s: The advent of sports drinks

A key period in the development of functional beverages was the introduction of sports drinks such as Gatorade in the 1960s. These drinks were designed to provide athletes with water and electrolytes to help them maintain fluid balance and energy during athletic competition.

3. 1980s: The rise of energy drinks

Energy drinks such as Red Bull began to gain popularity in Europe in the 1980s. These drinks, which often contained caffeine and other stimulant ingredients, were advertised as providing quick energy and alertness. This period also marked the expansion of the functional beverage market.

4. Early 21st century: Diversification of health and functional beverages

In the early 21st century, the functional beverage market further diversified, with the emergence of different types of products such as antioxidant drinks, health drinks, protein drinks, etc. These drinks usually contain ingredients such as amino acids, herbal extracts, proteins, etc., and are promoted as helping to improve immunity, improve psychological state or other health benefits.

03 What are the common functional drinks?

Energy drinks are a diverse category of beverages that can be classified into different categories based on their advertised benefits and ingredients.

1. Energy drinks: Energy drinks usually contain caffeine, sugar and other stimulant ingredients, designed to provide quick energy and alertness. They are often used to refresh the mind, especially in situations where you need to stay awake, such as driving, working or staying up late.

2. Sports drinks: Sports drinks are designed to provide water, electrolytes and energy to help athletes maintain water balance and energy supply during sports activities. They contain glucose, electrolytes such as sodium and potassium, etc., but be careful: they are not suitable for children and patients with high blood pressure.

3. Herbal beverages: Herbal beverages contain various herbal extracts, such as witch hazel, mint, purslane, etc., and are advertised as having calming, cooling or sleep-inducing effects.

4. Dietary supplement drinks: These drinks contain vitamins, minerals, probiotics, fiber or other dietary supplement ingredients designed to meet specific nutritional needs.

5. Sugar-free or low-sugar beverages: These beverages have lower or no sugar content and are suitable for those who are seeking to reduce their sugar intake.

04 What should you pay attention to when buying energy drinks?

The rapid growth of the energy drink market has brought more choices, but consumers still need to be careful when purchasing. Although these drinks are advertised for various benefits, factors should be considered when purchasing energy drinks:

1. Ingredient List: Check the ingredient list of a product to see what is included. Some ingredients may pose potential risks to your health or cause allergic reactions.

2. Sugar content: Pay attention to the sugar content in the product. Some energy drinks may contain a lot of sugar, which is not good for blood sugar control and weight management.

3. Caffeine content: Determine the caffeine content in the product, especially if you are sensitive to caffeine or need to limit your intake.

4. Health goals: Consider your health goals and needs. Different types of energy drinks are suitable for different goals, such as energy restoration, anxiety relief or immune support.

5. Professional advice: If you have special health problems or need personalized nutritional advice, it is best to choose functional drinks under the guidance of professional medical personnel.

6. Brand Reputation: Choose well-known and reputable brands as they are more likely to provide high-quality and safe products.

7. Personal experience: Personal experience is also important. Try different energy drinks to see which one feels best for your body and whether it actually delivers the benefits it claims.

In summary, energy drinks can be a convenient way to meet personal health needs, but consumers need to remain vigilant and choose wisely to ensure the products selected meet their goals and health claims.

Author: Xiaojuan is not Juan, Master of Food Science and Engineering, Henan University of Technology

Image source: pixabay

Editor: Guru