Do Energy Drinks Speed Up Your Metabolism?
Energy drinks contain a variety of different ingredients, but it's the caffeine in the drinks that gives you the energy. While there are reports that caffeine could increase your metabolism, it may not be enough to make a difference 4. The only ways to truly speed up your metabolism are through activity and exercise 4.
What's in Energy Drinks
Energy drinks are marketed as beverages that not only boost energy but also improve concentration, alertness and physical performance. In addition to caffeine, energy drinks may also contain vitamins, minerals, amino acids and herbal supplements. While caffeine has been well-studied, not much is known about the effects of the other ingredients in these drinks on your health or your weight.
- Energy drinks are marketed as beverages that not only boost energy but also improve concentration, alertness and physical performance.
- While caffeine has been well-studied, not much is known about the effects of the other ingredients in these drinks on your health or your weight.
Caffeine and Metabolism
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The amount of caffeine in energy drinks varies depending on the brand and size, ranging from 6 to 242 milligrams, according to a 2013 article in Today's Dietitian 2. The Obesity Action Coalition reports that caffeine may boost your body's calorie-burning ability by increasing thermogenesis, or heat production 1. The increase is so minimal, however, that it may not amount to much weight loss, the coalition notes.
Energy Drink Calories
While energy drinks are sometimes promoted as supporting weight loss, Today's Dietitian notes that due to their calorie and sugar content, these drinks are more likely to cause weight gain instead of loss 2. In fact, a 2006 study published in the Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that energy drinks increased carb burning but decreased fat burning and may even cause an uptick in fat production 3. It's important to note that this was a small, short-term study, however, and more research is necessary to determine the effects energy drinks have on weight and metabolism 4.
Increasing Metabolism
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If you're trying to increase your metabolism to promote weight loss, you need to be more active 4. While exercise helps you burn calories during the activity, if you want your body to burn more calories while at rest, you need to be more physically fit. That means engaging in regular aerobic and muscle-building activities to improve overall fitness. Consult your doctor before starting any exercise program.
- If you're trying to increase your metabolism to promote weight loss, you need to be more active 4.
- While exercise helps you burn calories during the activity, if you want your body to burn more calories while at rest, you need to be more physically fit.
Related Articles
References
- Obesity Action Coalition: "Upper" Limits -- the Value of Caffeine in Weight-Loss
- Today's Dietitian: The Truth About Energy Drinks
- Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition: Are Energy Drinks Contributing to the Obesity Epidemic?
- KidsHealth: Metabolism
- Higgins JP, Tuttle TD, Higgins CL. Energy Beverages: Content and Safety. Mayo Clin Proc. 2010;85(11):1033-1041. doi:10.4065/mcp.2010.0381
- Seifert SM, Schaechter JL, Hershorin ER, Lipshultz SE. Health Effects of Energy Drinks on Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults. Pediatrics. 2011;127(3):511-528. doi:10.1542/peds.2009-3592
- Terry-McElrath YM, OʼMalley PM, Johnston LD. Energy Drinks, Soft Drinks, and Substance Use Among United States Secondary School Students. J Addict Med. 2014;8(1):6-13. doi:10.1097/01.ADM.0000435322.07020.53
- Alsunni AA. Energy Drink Consumption: Beneficial and Adverse Health Effects. Int J Health Sci. 2015;9(4):468-474.
- Vo K, Neafsey PJ, Lin CA. Concurrent use of amphetamine stimulants and antidepressants by undergraduate students. Patient Prefer Adherence. 2015;9:161-172. doi:10.2147/PPA.S7460210.2147/PPA.S74602
- Bruckauf Z, Walsh SD. Adolescents' multiple and individual risk behaviors: examining the link with excessive sugar consumption across 26 industrialized countries. Soc Sci Med. 2018;216:133-141. doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2018.08.029
- Benton D. The plausibility of sugar addiction and its role in obesity and eating disorders. Clin Nutr. 2010;29(3):288-303. doi:10.1016/j.clnu.2009.12.001
Writer Bio
Jill Corleone is a registered dietitian and health coach who has been writing and lecturing on diet and health for more than 15 years. Her work has been featured on the Huffington Post, Diabetes Self-Management and in the book "Noninvasive Mechanical Ventilation," edited by John R. Bach, M.D. Corleone holds a Bachelor of Science in nutrition.