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Energy-Boosting Products

Source: Getty Images

Energy-Boosting Products: How Healthy are They?

Last updated: Thursday, January 12, 2023 | 4 min reading time
Yap Wei Ming Louis

Yap Wei Ming Louis

Dietitian

With many of us getting into the fitness game in recent years, energy bars, sports drinks and protein shakes have been popular options to get that fuel or recovery boost. Find out how you can make a healthy pick on your next grocery run.

If you're active, or just need a snack, fuelling up with a tasty, pre-packaged quick-fix can be the most convenient option. Falling right into this category are energy bars, protein shakes and sports drinks which are seemingly healthy for us, but marketing promises on food and drink packages can mislead. Here are some ingredients to put on your watch-list the next time you're on a grocery run!

Energy bars

Energy bars

Before, during or after a workout, an energy bar can serve as a convenient snack to give you the boost you need. However, if consumed in excess, it could very well wreak havoc on your health. Be mindful of the ingredients below:

1. High-fructose corn syrup (HFCS)

This is an artificial sugar made from corn syrup, which is processed from corn. If consumed in excessive amounts, the fructose in HFCS can contribute to:

  • Increased liver fat which can cause non-alcoholic fatty liver disease or type 2 diabetes in the long run
  • Exacerbating existing inflammatory diseases such as gout
  • Obesity, heart disease and cancer

If you see that HFCS is one of the top ingredients in the ingredients list of your energy bar, steer clear!

2. Sugar alcohol

This is a type of reduced-calorie sweetener that you might find in energy bars. When consumed in excess, sugar alcohols can cause side effects like gas, bloating or diarrhoea.

Some sugar alcohols are known to be FODMAPs, or fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols. For some people, these are types of carbohydrates which cannot be digested well, and which their guts cannot absorb well, and can lead to gastrointestinal side effects. If you have a history of sensitivity to FODMAPs, such as sorbitol and mannitol, be mindful to avoid foods and drinks with such ingredients. If you don't have a history of sensitivity to them, remember that moderation is key.

Protein shakes

Protein shakes

Protein shakes are a popular choice for many gym-goers because increasing protein intake can help support muscle recovery. Here are some ingredients to be mindful of:

1. Artificial sweeteners

Protein shakes may sometimes contain sweeteners such as aspartame, sucralose, acesulfame potassium and saccharin. Such sweeteners are low-caloric, but that does not mean that they are safe for consumption in large amounts.

Studies haven't yet concluded how artificial sweeteners can affect one's health over the years – though they have suggested that such low-caloric substitutes may spur overconsumption of other sweetened food to compensate taste deficiency. Drinks with artificial sweeteners may sometimes be advertised as being "low in sugar", so do look out for such ingredients and consume them in moderation.

2. Carrageenan

This seaweed-derived additive is used by protein powder manufacturers to create thicker and creamier drinks. Based on findings from animal and cell-based testing, carrageenan could cause side effects such as inflammation, bloating, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, glucose intolerance, and food allergies.

In pilot studies on the effect of Carrageenan on humans, improvement in glucose tolerance and insulin signalling was seen in those with pre-diabetes. Until more evidence is found, we should consider monitoring the intake of products containing this ingredient.

Sports drinks

Sports drinks

Such drinks are widely promoted as products that can help replenish glucose, fluids and electrolytes lost during a strenuous workout and to enhance physical endurance. Some may even help increase energy levels. However, some ingredients cause harmful effects on your health when consumed in excess. Let's have a look at some of them:

1. Caffeine

Did you know that sports drinks contain caffeine? Consuming too much caffeine can lead to issues such as insomnia, heart problems and elevated blood pressure – and in rare cases, seizures and cardiac arrest. Remember to go easy on these drinks to safeguard your health. If you are sensitive to caffeine's stimulant effects, it may be best to avoid the beverage entirely. For example, drinking caffeine when you have Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) can result in diarrhoea.

2. Sugar

Such drinks are usually loaded with sugar, and can cause a series of health issues when consumed in excess, especially if you are not doing a vigorous workout. Besides adding on to your calorie intake, excessive consumption of sugars can increase the risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes and heart diseases. When shopping for a drink, you can compare the sugar content of various drinks before taking your pick.

Choose natural food alternatives over energy-boosting products

Natural alternatives

Opt for natural alternatives if you don't wish to load up on products with such ingredients. These can also be portable with minimal to no preparation time required. If you're looking for substitutes for energy bars – bananas, raisins, figs and dates are good alternatives. Protein shake alternatives? Eggs, tuna and sardine are worth a try. Instead of sports drinks, you can opt for fresh juice, milk, and smoothies – dietitians have also recommended chocolate milk, for its potential anti-inflammatory properties!

Always consume in moderation

While energy-boosting products are convenient, we must be mindful that they do not always contain ingredients that are healthy when consumed in excess. Here's to making smarter, and healthier additions to our diet!

If you are concerned about your current diet, or would like to draw up a diet that suits your lifestyle and helps you prevent diseases, consult a dietitian.

How high fructose intake may trigger fatty liver disease. National institutes of Health. Retrieved on 27 March from https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/how-high-fructose-intake-may-trigger-fatty-liver-disease

McChesney, M.J., (2016, December 10). Relationship between High-Fructose Corn Syrup, Uric Acid, and Metabolic Syndrome. Journal of Pediatric Surgical Nursing. 5(4). https://www.nursingcenter.com/wkhlrp/Handlers/articleContent.pdf?key=pdf_01781601-201610000-00004&msclkid=76a53cf9adb411ec973b05bc58fc8fa1

Makinen, K.K. (2016, October 20), Gastrointestinal Disturbances Associated with the Consumption of Sugar Alcohols with Special Consideration of Xylitol: Scientific Review and Instructions for Dentists and Other Health-Care Professionals. International Journal of Dentistry. doi: 10.1155/2016/5967907

Grembecka, M. (2019). Volume 1. Sugar Alcohols. Encyclopedia of Food Chemistry.

Swithers, S. E.. (2013, July 10). Artificial Sweeteners produce the counterintuitive effect of inducing metabolic derangements. Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism. 24(9) doi: 10.1016/j.tem.2013.05.005

Pang, M. D;Goossens G.H; Blaak E.E, (2021, January). The impact of artificial sweeteners on Body Weight control and glucose homeostasis. Frontiers in Nutrition, Volume 7. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2020.598340

Feferman L. et al., (2020, April 21). Carrageenan-free diet shows improved glucose tolerance and insulin signalling in Prediabetes: a randomised, pilot clinical trial. Journal of Diabetic Research. doi:10.1155/2020/8267980

Massaro, M. et al, (2019, June 28). Effects of Cocoa products and its polyphenolic constituents on exercise performance and exercise-induced muscle damage and inflammation: a review of clinical trials. Nutrients. 11(7). doi: 10.3390/nu11071471

Why High Fructose Corn Syrup Is Bad. Retrieved on 16 March from https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/why-high-fructose-corn-syrup-is-bad#3.-Increases-your-risk-of-obesity-and-weight-gain

What Are Sugar Alcohols, and Are They a Healthy Sugar Swap? Retrieved on 16 March from https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/sugar-alcohols-good-or-bad#recommendation

10 Gross Ingredients Lurking In Your Energy Bars. Runners World. Retrieved on 12 March from https://www.runnersworld.com/nutrition-weight-loss/a20799715/10-gross-ingredients-lurking-in-your-energy-bars/

What the heck is sugar alcohol? Beaumount Health. Retrieved on 12 March from https://www.beaumont.org/health-wellness/blogs/what-the-heck-is-sugar-alcohol

4 reasons why energy drinks are bad for you – and healthier ways to boost your energy. Insider. Retrieved on 12 March from https://www.insider.com/are-energy-drinks-bad-for-you

Sports Drinks. Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Retrieved on 17 March from https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/sports-drinks/?msclkid=048ab37da5e611ecad77fb2d29af1502

The hidden dangers of protein powders. Harvard Health. Retrieved on 12 March from https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/the-hidden-dangers-of-protein-powders

Is carrageenan safe to eat? Medical News Today. Retrieved on 12 March from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323117

6 healthier alternatives to sports drinks, according to dietitians. Insider. Retrieved on 12 March from https://www.insider.com/healthy-sports-drink-alternatives-according-to-dietitians-2019-5

9 Side Effects of Too Much Caffeine. Healthline. Retrieved on 17 March from https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/caffeine-side-effects?msclkid=f103d70da5e711ecb8bd389603df30b3

Article tags

Food & nutrition

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