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Energy drinks

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Posted: #1
is it safe to have one every work day.
 i have to be alert when i clock on at 6.45am
coffee gives me a stomach upset, guess i'm worried in 10 years time there'll be a cancer scare from all that taurine in these drinks
 
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Posted: #2
I's say no. There are reported links to energy drinks and seizures. A very good friend of mine used to drink several a day, and not have the best diet in general. He started having these seizures, and eventually had to have a mass, non cancerous, from his brain. There was apparently a predisposition, as there had been something in his past that he never really told anything. But there are many other reports of this with no predisposition. It was some scary ass shit, being with him in the hospital, he knew who we were, but that was about it. All answers were empty, and had not recollection on the trip he had just taken to Miami 2 days earlier. the predisposition went back like 12 years, the seizures didn't start happening until he was drinking these regularly. He is, luckily, back to normal now, but his memory is not nearly what it used to be, and he still has zero recollection of the few weeks surrounding the seizures. Do a few searches, and Im sure you'll find plenty of similar stories.

I'm not sure about your diet, but if you're looking for energy this may be a good starting point.
 
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Posted: #3
Energy drinks contain tons of sugar and are highly acidic so I would avoid them. Do you consume dairy with your coffee ? If so it could be lactose intolerance that is upsetting your stomach. You could also try a "cold extract" method of making the coffee. It takes planning ahead so you don't run out because it takes 12-18 hours for the coffee to sit with the water. It tastes smoother, has less oils and will be easier on the stomach.   
 
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Posted: #4
Quote Originally Posted by sharpaction:

Energy drinks contain tons of sugar and are highly acidic so I would avoid them. Do you consume dairy with your coffee ? If so it could be lactose intolerance that is upsetting your stomach. You could also try a "cold extract" method of making the coffee. It takes planning ahead so you don't run out because it takes 12-18 hours for the coffee to sit with the water. It tastes smoother, has less oils and will be easier on the stomach.   


i used to drink one energy drink on saturday nights with my vodka (i never knew you could drink red bull without mixing it with vodka) and it killed my stomach.  but the benefits outweighed the costs in my mind.  since i don't stay out late anymore, i never drink them.  the sugar plus the ingredients i don't understand are an issue.  plus, they just don't feel right.

however, before or during a tough race, i'll take one of those gel energy packs.  they do work.  i know they have a lot of sugar but aren't i burning that sugar?  you ever take those or something similar?

by the way, i never drink caffeine. i've had maybe 10 cups or less of coffee my entire, no soft drinks, etc. 
 
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Posted: #5
I drink about 2 sugar free red bulls a week (usually before work on Friday and Saturday nights, Im a waiter). 

The sugar free tastes much better than the non sugar free Imo, not to mention I don't feel like all of my teeth are going to fall out either. 
 
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Posted: #6
Quote Originally Posted by ClubDirt:



i used to drink one energy drink on saturday nights with my vodka (i never knew you could drink red bull without mixing it with vodka) and it killed my stomach.  but the benefits outweighed the costs in my mind.  since i don't stay out late anymore, i never drink them.  the sugar plus the ingredients i don't understand are an issue.  plus, they just don't feel right.

however, before or during a tough race, i'll take one of those gel energy packs.  they do work.  i know they have a lot of sugar but aren't i burning that sugar?  you ever take those or something similar?

by the way, i never drink caffeine. i've had maybe 10 cups or less of coffee my entire, no soft drinks, etc. 

During longer sessions of exercise it is fine to take 1 or 2 gels. For runs of longer than 10 miles I do carry a couple of gels with me just in case I need a boost. For anything shorter than 10 miles I am fine with just drinking water. Since I have significantly lowered my carbohydrate intake I have noticed my body is more efficient at using fat for fuel instead of glucose when running  and I don't feel those ups and downs of energy during the run, it is more like a consistent flow of energy and I am able to maintain my pace better and don't feel as tired at the end of the run.
 
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Posted: #7
Quote Originally Posted by ClubDirt:



i used to drink one energy drink on saturday nights with my vodka (i never knew you could drink red bull without mixing it with vodka) and it killed my stomach.  but the benefits outweighed the costs in my mind.  since i don't stay out late anymore, i never drink them.  the sugar plus the ingredients i don't understand are an issue.  plus, they just don't feel right.

however, before or during a tough race, i'll take one of those gel energy packs.  they do work.  i know they have a lot of sugar but aren't i burning that sugar?  you ever take those or something similar?

by the way, i never drink caffeine. i've had maybe 10 cups or less of coffee my entire, no soft drinks, etc. 

The only time I use a gel pack is on a run of 10 miles or longer just to give me that caffeine and glucose boost if I need it. I only drink water for runs that are less than 10 miles. I have noticed that since significantly cutting down my carbohydrates and just consuming water instead of gatorade or fruits or oatmeal before runs that my body has become more efficient at using fat for fuel instead of glucose. The result is that I don't get those up and down swings in energy during runs , it is more like a consistent flow of energy which allows me to pace better. 

When your body is only used to burning glycogen it will crash when your stores deplete and the stores will deplete faster in someone who is not burning fat for fuel. This can make or break any race in which you are out there for at least 2 hours. When your glycogen stores are full they give you about 90-120 minutes of energy. After that fat takes over and if your body is not used to burning fat it will crash.  If you can burn fat for fuel in the first 2 hours this can delay your glycogen stores from depleting and you will be able to maintain your pace for longer. You can help teach your body to use fat for fuel by consuming no carbohydrate pre-workout, just drink water. 
 
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Posted: #8
i've been going away from running and sprint triathlons and more toward obstacle course races.  they seem to wear me down much more wuickly.  most of them are 3 mils races which take 33-37 minutes but i have a 10k coming up which is pretty rough.  i know i need to lay off the carbs before these races. 

i usually take a gel pack about 20 minutes before the race starts.  when do you take them?
 
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Posted: #9
Quote Originally Posted by ClubDirt:

i've been going away from running and sprint triathlons and more toward obstacle course races.  they seem to wear me down much more wuickly.  most of them are 3 mils races which take 33-37 minutes but i have a 10k coming up which is pretty rough.  i know i need to lay off the carbs before these races. 

i usually take a gel pack about 20 minutes before the race starts.  when do you take them?

In my last race in October which was a half-marathon,  I drank about 2 litres of water from 5am-7am. The race started at 9am so I had plenty of time to empty my bladder.  I took one gel at the 1 hour mark , at that point I had completed about 8 miles. I wasn't feeling tired at all but I took it at that point because I knew the last 3 miles or so would be tough so I took it 2 miles earlier so that by the time mile 10 was done it would kick in for the final 3 miles. I probably could have done without it but didn't want to take any chances as I was going for a personal best at the distance and that caffeine/glucose jolt could make the difference in the end. Many runners and cyclists have told that the gels upset their stomachs. I can understand that as they are very concentrated which is another reason why you don't want to take too many.

Do the obstacle courses differ in terms of what muscles are used when compared with running or cycling ? Is it more anaerobic than running or cycling ?  I would think you use more fast twitch muscles than slow twitch muscles overall. What do you eat the night before and morning of the race ? 
 
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Posted: #10
the gels mess my stomach up as well.  a lot of things do.  but the benefit from the boost outweighs the stomach issue.  i only take one per race though.

i do the obstacle courses over running for two reasons.  i've had two reconstructive surgeries on my L knee so i just don't want to be pounding the pavement for too many miles.  plus, they are a different challenge.  i haven't been doing the sprints because they involve ocean swimming and i need to train in the ocean which is difficult with work and family.  it didn't make much sense to swim 1/3 of a mile in the ocean at 7:00 pm after work when i'm the only one out there.  pool training doesn't do it for me.  it's kind of a cop out.  you know how it is, i can make it work if i really wanted to.  i may get back into it.

anyway, the obstacle courses are different.  they are run on soft sand and mud.  you go through a bunch of obstacles like you have to climb a 7 foot wall or go up a 20 ft muddy hill or crawl in the shallow water under barb wire.  probably like military training courses.  it's hard to prepare for. 

here's an example of one i have coming up. 

here's one i'd like to do but these don't come around too often.
 
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Posted: #11
to answer the other questions, i guess it's more anaerobic.  you are moving the entire time but there are shorter periods of time when you need more energy to get through an obstacle.  none of the individual obstacles are that hard, it's just the cumulative effect of them.  it 's kind of like boxing with all of the gear on.  none of the punches are going to take you out, but the cumulative effect of the body blows take their toll big time. 

the night before, i try to get some vegetables and protein and minimize sugar and carbs.  i don't have a routine meal the night before.  i'm terrible the morning of.  i hate getting up early.  so i get up as late as possible, eat a few bites of a banana and some almonds and i'm off.  i don't drink as much water as i should.  and then i hit the gel pack before the race.  i know, that's not exactly ideal. 
 
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Posted: #12
I am not even sure if the sugar free Red Bulls "give me wings" hahaha but I sure feel like it for at least a little while, hell, even if it just is a placebo effect. 
 
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Posted: #13
Quote Originally Posted by ClubDirt:

the gels mess my stomach up as well.  a lot of things do.  but the benefit from the boost outweighs the stomach issue.  i only take one per race though.

i do the obstacle courses over running for two reasons.  i've had two reconstructive surgeries on my L knee so i just don't want to be pounding the pavement for too many miles.  plus, they are a different challenge.  i haven't been doing the sprints because they involve ocean swimming and i need to train in the ocean which is difficult with work and family.  it didn't make much sense to swim 1/3 of a mile in the ocean at 7:00 pm after work when i'm the only one out there.  pool training doesn't do it for me.  it's kind of a cop out.  you know how it is, i can make it work if i really wanted to.  i may get back into it.

anyway, the obstacle courses are different.  they are run on soft sand and mud.  you go through a bunch of obstacles like you have to climb a 7 foot wall or go up a 20 ft muddy hill or crawl in the shallow water under barb wire.  probably like military training courses.  it's hard to prepare for. 

here's an example of one i have coming up. 

here's one i'd like to do but these don't come around too often.

The Spartan race looks fun, its coming to my area in June so I may consider trying it. What is your best time in these 5km courses?   

In terms of night before and morning of the race nutrition I have noticed that being hydrated makes the most difference in how I perform which is why I consume lots of water the night before and morning of races.  
 
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Posted: #14
Quote Originally Posted by sharpaction:


The Spartan race looks fun, its coming to my area in June so I may consider trying it. What is your best time in these 5km courses?   

In terms of night before and morning of the race nutrition I have noticed that being hydrated makes the most difference in how I perform which is why I consume lots of water the night before and morning of races.  


if you do the spartan race, let me know.  i saw on facebook that a friend of mine did it in miami a few weeks ago but i haven't talked to him about it. 

it's hard to compare times and races because they are all different.  i just did one a couple of weeks ago and ran it in 37 even.  the first race of the season is always the slowest and it didn't help that it was about 45-50 degrees but that was a pretty slow time.  in contrast, i just checked to see if the race results were still up from the last race of last season in october which was probably my fastest.  i ran that one in 31:32.  that's a pretty big difference. 

i definitely need to do better about eating and drinking the morning of the race.  these races are usually 45 minutes to an hour away so i have time.
 
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Posted: #15

Feels good at 1st - then the body wants water.

 
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Posted: #16
Quote Originally Posted by mr_bollox:

is it safe to have one every work day.
 i have to be alert when i clock on at 6.45am
coffee gives me a stomach upset, guess i'm worried in 10 years time there'll be a cancer scare from all that taurine in these drinks

I almost never drink caffeine, but some teas out there that actually contain some antioxidants.  And having a hot drink with maybe a touch of sugar almost tricks your body that you're having something that might help you perk up a bit.  At least it does for me when I have tea on the morning.  
 
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Posted: #17
i drink tea all of the time. 

but still no caffeine. 
 
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Posted: #18
Quote Originally Posted by ClubDirt:

the gels mess my stomach up as well.  a lot of things do.  but the benefit from the boost outweighs the stomach issue.  i only take one per race though.

i do the obstacle courses over running for two reasons.  i've had two reconstructive surgeries on my L knee so i just don't want to be pounding the pavement for too many miles.  plus, they are a different challenge.  i haven't been doing the sprints because they involve ocean swimming and i need to train in the ocean which is difficult with work and family.  it didn't make much sense to swim 1/3 of a mile in the ocean at 7:00 pm after work when i'm the only one out there.  pool training doesn't do it for me.  it's kind of a cop out.  you know how it is, i can make it work if i really wanted to.  i may get back into it.

anyway, the obstacle courses are different.  they are run on soft sand and mud.  you go through a bunch of obstacles like you have to climb a 7 foot wall or go up a 20 ft muddy hill or crawl in the shallow water under barb wire.  probably like military training courses.  it's hard to prepare for. 

here's an example of one i have coming up. 

here's one i'd like to do but these don't come around too often.


I'm supposed to do the warrior dash, but not sure I will be able to. I finally got my MRI today, and have the follow up Thursday to, more than likely, schedule a surgery. No lifting for 4 months, never mind running that kind of race.
 
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Posted: #19
squid, what's your injury?
 
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Posted: #20

I know that I'll get a lot of grief for saying this but I drink 4 to 6 (sometimes more) cans of regular Red Bull each and every day... and have done so for years now. I also take about three 10/325's of Norco each day for my neck and back which has been a problem for 30+ years. (I take half a tab at a time = 6 per day) I also drink almost one 2 liter bottle of diet or zero calorie cola each day. I know... the sweetener is poison... but so is the flouride my government puts into the water that we all drink. Not to mention every other thing we eat... even fresh food which is GMO.

Yes... I am sure it will most likely kill me someday but living in the SF Bay Area and having worked at every oil refinery and power plant in the area will most likely also contribute to my demise eventually. The stuff I've worked with there... and the areas inside those locations are not recommended for a long life. Some of the stuff we used had warning labels that said "This product WILL cause cancer..."... not CAN cause cancer... but WILL cause cancer.

And I'm sure that I was probably exposed to crap while in the military also... Many people were... some more than others... and many on purpose because Uncle Sam don't give a shit... they even dump Vets remains in landfills now like trash. Real nice huh?

I am throughly convinced that the SF Bay Area is extremely toxic but seldom talked about. A lot of old military installations around here and refineries. I'm always hearing about people getting cancer here... of some by an other quick killing illness. Just a few years after I got here in the 90's I developed Graves disease which almost killed me because I did not know anything was wrong... you lose weight slowly so you don't notice it right away. Then while watching my Flyers on TV my heart felt funny so I went to a doctor who had my blood tested... It was 40+ TIMES the normal level (my thyroid). I got nuked to kill my thyroid and now I take a pill each day to maintain the level.

I also smoke a pack a day... have quit several times for months but have smoked for about 39 of my years.

My genetic disposition is very strong so I guess I'm blessed for that. I'm strong as an ox but my indurance is lowered mostly due to the smoking. When I have quit for periods I felt just fine.

I hear all the alarms going off about what we consume all the time... now it's processed meats... and red meats. Hell, I use to be able to eat an entire roast or a pound of deli meat in one meal. I have always been an animal lover... for food... and my pets for friendship. I have cut back greatly on meats but only because I enjoy trailmix (dried fruits and nuts) all day long now and I really don't eat much at all these days... just not hungry all the time like in the past. I think it's the Norco... however there are days where I'll eat all day long... and just about none of it is recommended for good health... pizza, frozen fries, frozen burgers and chicken strips, egg rolls, etc.

Yes I will die someday... but in the meantime I'm living without care. I did almost die last year from a perforated appendix which I allowed to go on to long since I thought it was some kind of flu thing and was on an extended roadtrip 3000 miles from home. I was eventually convinced to see a doctor and was in surgery in a few hours. The infection was bad and took two hospital stays to clear up eventually. I was in the same hospital as my dying Mother which did not help... she passed away just a few months later at 83 yrs old.

I wish you all good health... as for me I guess I just don't worry about it at all... maybe the pain pills make me crazy but I've always been somewhat off my rocker.

I guess I live by the old pre-battle passage of... "Eat , Drink and be Merry... For Tomorrow We Die".

My wonderful Wife will be somewhat rich some day when the insurance pays her. Ha,ha,ha. I told her to just have fun and get over missing me as quickly as she can because life must go on and you can't mourn forever... I know. I've lost a lot of people.

PEACE

 
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Posted: #21

Also... For every study that says something is bad... there is one that says it's OK.

And for every study that says something is great... there is one that says it is not good for you at all.

It all depends on what type of drugs and foods that the government is trying to push off onto the public and make money from it.

It's a wicked circle that they create.

First they creat a problem... then watch everyone react to there disclosure of "facts"... then they sell you the solution.

This situation just keeps going round and round and round.

Live Life... Love someone... and enjoy what you get in return.

This is NOT the last stop on the soul train... no matter what you believe in... even if you believe in nothing... you still have a belief which will come to it's fruition.

 
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Posted: #22
tryin purple rain energy.. mix it with water.. gives you great natural and healthy energy.. i use it daily after I workout too for the amino acids.  www.purplerainenergy.com    if you want a free sample, let me know.. not trying to push it, just trying to help you
 
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Posted: #23

 Check out this link.  Talks about Monster energy drinks causing heart attacks.  Stock took a hit also on this news....

 

https://money.msn.com/business-news/article.aspx?feed=AP&date=20121022&id=15700794

 

 

 

 

 
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Posted: #24
Adequate hydration (water, that is) alone and nutrition will boost your body's performance and function more than any supplement. 

These caffeine loaded drinks are a complete gymic.. People think they can eat poorly and not hydrate themselves well and use these so called energy drinks to bail themselves out.. Ironically caffeine is actually more effective for giving you that 5% lift if and only IF you've eaten correctly and taken in enough water. 


 
 
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Posted: #25
They can be pretty habit forming.
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