Energy drinks By Jana Kalvodová

Energy drinks beverages which contain legal stimulants, vitamins and minerals, including caffeine, guarana, taurine, various forms of maltodextrin, carnitine and ginkgo biloba. Some may contain high levels of sugar or glucose. Many beverages are flavored and colored to resemble soft drinks.

These drinks are typically marketed towards young people, students People who play sports Energy drinks are different from sports drinks most energy drinks simply provide lots of sugar and caffeine, with no healthful purpose

Effect of energy drinks Many of the ingredients increase the metabolism which in turn increases the energy The metabolic process that produces energy for all biological functioning Many of the chemicals in these energy drinks are known to or believed to be antioxidants Prevents cellular damage

Taurine - 2-aminoethanesulfonic acid One of the lesser known amino acid May help with reactive oxygen, respiratory burst and it is an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system It hasnt been fully researched and much of what it does is still unknown Research into the effects of taurine on the hearts functions

Guarana Contains a high amount of guaranine, a chemical substance with the same characteristics as caffeine This makes Guarana a stimulant similar to coffee Is an aphrodisiac Causes a higher blood pressure and an increased heart rate

guaranine

Caffeine An alkaloid found naturally in such foods as coffee beans, tea, guarana… Has characteristically intense bitter taste Stimulant action on the central nervous system with psychotropic effects and stimulation of respiration Energy drinks may contain as much as 80 mg of caffeine – cup of coffee

caffeine

Ginkgo Known to increases metabolism, enhance circulation Antioxidant B vitamins Helps us produce energy Essential for the breakdown of carbohydrates into glucose, which provides energy Vitamins B2,B3

Ginkgo leaf

Sugar Present as a source of energy and it has appealing taste Carbohydrates (which sugar is) provide most of the energy needed in our daily lives, both for normal body functions such as heartbeat, breathing and digestion and for exercise such as cycling, walking and running

Examples of energy drinks The most polpular energy drinks: Red Bull Semtex Shark Semtex (250ml drink content)

Shark

References

Dictionary Beverages – nápoje Resemble - podobat se Purpose - účel respiratory burst - heart rate srdeční frekvence Enhance – zlepšit Breakdown – selhání Digestion - trávení