Lance News - Energy Drinks

Everyone has had an energy drink at one time or another. I know many people that swear by these things for boosting their workout, keeping them alert at work, and use it as a mixer with vodka, but I think its all RED BULL- ONEY. Don't give me, 'well its got vitamins'! Vitamins do not even give you energy and there are no other ingredients in these drinks that are good or healthy for you. To me, these energy drinks are just as stupid as their names are; Full Throttle, Rockstar, Monster, etc. So put down and back away slowly from the energy drink, sub in a small snack or try something more natural to keep you up.

Notes from the article:

• Energy drinks increase both blood pressure and heart rate in healthy volunteers
  
  
• heart rates rose by about 8 percent on the first day and 11 percent on the seventh day.
  
  
• Systolic and Diastolic blood pressure both rose by 8 percent on the first day and 10 percent on the seventh day
  
  
• Researchers advise against consumption for people who have high blood pressure or heart disease
  
  
• The study did not identify ingredients responsible for the changes, but it probably was caffeine and taurine
  
  
• The drinks generally have high levels of caffeine and taurine, an amino acid found in protein-rich foods like meat and fish that can affect heart function and blood pressure
  
  
• study did not address possible health effects from the way some people consume these drinks, such as mixing them with alcohol.

How often do you have an energy drink and what might be a good alternative substitute?