Active Energy Drink Ingredients | Common Ingredients in Energy Drinks

As the number of energy supplements on the market explodes so too does the diverse range of ingredients claimed to increase energy, enhance concentration, etc. These ingredients can usually be found on product labeling under the heading "proprietary energy blend," however the ingredients listed in the proprietary energy blend often do not encompass the all the ingredients of interest here. Below will be an ongoing list of active ingredients in energy drinks as well as a brief description of each energy drink ingredient identified.

At an estimated global consumption of 120,000 tonnes per year, caffeine is without a doubt the most popular stimulant and psychoactive substance in the World. Caffeine from energy drinks, coffee, or other energy enhancing beverages is absorbed through the small intestine within 45 minutes of consumption. With some energy supplements, such as Revive energy mints, caffeine is absorbed sublingually (meaning under the tough or through tissue in the mouth). Sublingual administration has several advantages over oral administration. For instance, because sublingual administration is more direct the caffeine enters the bloodstream to be diffused throughout the body faster. Also because it is more directly absorbed sublingually, there is less to prevent the active ingredient - i.e., caffeine - from reaching the blood stream.

Guarana is actually a source of naturally derived caffeine.  As an energy drink ingredient it is a effective energy booster, containing approximately twice the amount of caffeine as coffee beans.

Like guarana, green-tea is a source of naturally derived caffeine. Many believe that it is a healthier alternative than coffee bean derived caffeine. Dating back to ancient China, green tea has been used as a herbal remedy and homeopathic treatment. More recently it has been marketed in Western countries for its ability to enhance energy, improve mental concentration, and speed the metabolism. Green tea contains just less caffeine that oxidized tea, and about half that of coffee.

Although present in many energy enhancing foods and beverages, taurine has not been proven to be energy-giving. Named after the Latin taurus , which means bull or ox, because it was first isolated from ox bile, without a doubt, of the numerous ingredients found in energy drinks, more contention has surrounded the use of taurine in energy drinks than any other.

Most of the debate regarding the use of taurine in energy drinks has centered around potential health risks of combining it with, the number one ingredient in energy supplements, caffeine. When found in combination with the quantity of caffeine contained in top-selling energy drinks, taurine has been shown to cause or highten insomnia, nervousness, headache, and tachycardia. Conflicting studies add to the confusion. In a review published in 2008 found no documented reports of negative health effects associated with the taurine used in the amounts found in most energy drinks.

Still, a concern remains. A concern that is strong enough that several countries including Denmark, Norway, Uruguay, Iceland, and France have ban Red Bull, most citing high levels of taurine and caffeine as the problem. The dispute remains up for question and until further investigation is done the exact link between caffeine and taurine will not be known.

This one is kind of tricky. As it is normally used, the term 'B-Vitamins' is comprised of eight chemically distinct vitamins that play important roles in cell metabolism. The eight B-vitamins (listed below) are commonly found together in the same foods.

• Vitamin B1 (thiamine)
• Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)
• Vitamin B3 (niacin)
• Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid)
• Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine)
• Vitamin B7 (biotin)
• Vitamin B9 (folic acid)
• Vitamin B12 (various cobalamins)

B Vitamins have been shown to boost the metabolism, promote healthy immune and nervous system function, and help to maintain healthy skin and muscle tone.  However, the addition of B vitamins to energy drinks may be more of a marketing ploy than an attempt to increase physical energy.  The eight B vitamins often occur in the same foods and the reccommened dailing serving is difficult not to consume on a normal diet.  Yet energy drinks contain huge excesses of B vitamins.  For instance, a 2-ounce sip of the popular liquid shot 5-Hour Energy contains an astonishing 8,333% of the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of vitamin B-12, and 2,000% of the RDA for vitamin B-6.  Since all B vitamins are water soluble, and are dispersed throughout the body, all of these excess B vitamins are excreted in the urine.

With it's surge in popularity over the last decade, ginseng's long history of use as a medicinal herb in Asia, particularly in China, is common knowledge.  Yet the benefits of the ancient herbal medicine are without doubt worth resiting.  And, though limits of time and space prevent further elaboration, one must admit that it is a quite interesting story, or path; that is, to trace what was used as an ancient medicine thousands of years ago as a adaptogen, aphrodisiac, and healthy stimulant, and has been used ever since for a wide variety of medical and dietary purposes.  Presently, Ginseng is still used by many for a variety of purposes, however it's exposure to the dietary supplement market in developed countries of the Northern Hemisphere has contributed to a surge in popularity and demand.

Ginseng is now found in several energy drinks and is believed to promote energy, revitalize and aid recovery from illness, injury or weakness, improve circulation and stimulate the body.  While the exact effect on the body and mind are largely debated, several thousands year of use for various health problems tells me that that this is not your average plant.  No, there is something very special about this herb.  In a recent study at the National Autonomous University of Mexico suggests that Ginseng may be "a promising dietary supplement" when assessed for an increase in quality of life.