How and Why Fitness for your life. Exercise, exercise equipment and nutrition. | Do you need high energy drinks during workouts?

These days everyone wants to eat or drink high energy foods during exercise. While we do have an economic crisis at hand, it seems that in the world of fitness there is an energy crisis. There are literally hundreds of high energy foods and drinks out on the market being promoted at sports minded individuals of all ages. Almost every top notch athlete is seen to be carrying his or her own special drink or energy bar. Judging from the types of energy bars being carried on the sports field, one would think that the majority of athletes are handicapped or injured and no longer capable of participating in sports without such foods. Are we doing so badly at the Olympics because we lack high energy chocolates in our bodies?

The health and food industry sells close to $5 billion worth of high energy foods to athletes each year and the numbers appear to be increasing. The question remains, does one perform better from these high energy bars or is it just a gimmick or a trend?

There is nothing wrong with consuming high energy drinks or foods during exercise, but for the most part they are not needed. There is no proof that eating a chocolate fortified with vitamins and herbs will make you run faster, lift more weights or increase your endurance.

Energy drinks do contain a lot of sugar, caffeine, unknown herbs and countless ingredients which are unknown to the consumer. Since the sports nutrition industry is poorly regulated, many manufacturers often fail to label the contents. Furthermore, the quality and quantity of these high energy drinks are variable. Fakes and counterfeits products are on the increase. More important, these products may even pose danger to health.

The high levels of caffeine in these drinks can increase your heart rate or blood pressure. This can be worsened if you are taking other health supplements or consuming too much alcohol. Furthermore, the excess caffeine in these drinks can also cause dehydration. Caffeine is known to act like a “water pill” and can make one lose a lot of water and induce thirst-something you do not want to do while exercising.

Finally, the majority of energy drinks contain a lot of sugar and a coloring agent. The excess sugar can worsen diabetes, make you gain weight and does not improve your over health. There are countless reports of individuals who have taken high energy foods during sports and developed mood changes, chest pain and even seizures.

For those of you who plan to remain fit, water is the best beverage. It is only the rare individual doing intense exercise who may need an energy bar. If you do select an energy bar, read the label, find out what it contains and what are the number of calories it provides. Energy bars are just glorified foods with a lot of artificial junk. It you are really desperate for energy, eat a fruit or some vegetables and drink lots of water. If you are not number one in the sports of your field, it is very unlikely that a high energy bar will get you up there. The only way to be number one in sports and achieve a high level of fitness is to be motivated, eat a healthy diet exercise, be dedicated and avoid junk sold in nutrition stores. Buyer beware. Besides, water is free.

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