By Susan Lundman
With names that evoke images of monsters and rock stars, energy drinks contain the high levels of carbohydrates and minerals also found in sports drinks, but they go one step further and add the stimulating effect of caffeine. While everyone's daily calorie needs and their consumption of energy drinks differ, the odds are that the drinks will cause you to gain weight.
Calorie Needs
Most people, even those who exercise regularly, get enough calories from the food they eat to maintain their weight. Energy drinks only add additional unneeded calories. In fact, according to the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, about 72 percent of men and 64 percent of women in the U.S. are overweight or obese.
The 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans estimates that moderately active women need between 1,800 and 2,000 calories per day and moderately active men need between 2,400 and 2,800 calories. Moderate activity includes walking every day for 1.5 to 3 miles a day at a brisk pace. Energy drinks are of most benefit for
The 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans estimates that moderately active women need between 1,800 and 2,000 calories per day and moderately active men need between 2,400 and 2,800 calories. Moderate activity includes walking every day for 1.5 to 3 miles a day at a brisk pace. Energy drinks are of most benefit for
Calories in Energy Drinks
Energy drinks provide an average of 50 to 140 calories per 8 oz. serving, according to a 2011 article in the journal "Pediatrics." But most cans of energy drinks contain two servings per can. Because very few adults or teens drink only half a can of any beverage, the true calorie count for energy drinks ranges from 100 to 280 calories. Moreover, most people are not filled up by the liquid calories in sugar-sweetened beverages such as energy drinks, and still eat their regular total of calories.
Children and Teens
A 2010 National Youth Physical Activity and Nutrition Study reported that 63 percent of high school students drink sugar-sweetened beverages, or SSBs, daily. The report concluded that the increased calories the students gained from these drinks are a factor in the rates of obesity in U.S. teens.
The journal of the American, Academy of Pediatrics, "Pediatrics," echoes the concern about excess calories in sports drinks, energy drinks and soda, saying these can "substantially increase" the odds of children and teens becoming overweight and obese.
The journal of the American, Academy of Pediatrics, "Pediatrics," echoes the concern about excess calories in sports drinks, energy drinks and soda, saying these can "substantially increase" the odds of children and teens becoming overweight and obese.
Adults
A 2006 review of 30 studies published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that sugar-sweetened drinks, such as soda, fruit drinks and energy drinks, caused weight gains in adults and children. And a 2004 study of young and middle-aged women published in "The Journal of the American Medical Association" found that sugar-sweetened beverages contributed not only to weight gains, but also to type 2 diabetes.
References
- "Pediatrics"; Clinical Report -- Sports Drinks and Energy Drinks for Children and Adolescents: Are They Appropriate; Marcie Beth Schneider, M.D. et al.; May 2011
- U.S. Department of Agriculture: Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2010 -- Introduction
- U.S. Department of Agriculture: Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2010 -- Appendices
- Monster Energy: Monster Energy
- "The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition"; Intake of Sugar-Sweetened Beverages and Weight Gain: A Systematic Review; Vasanti S. Malik et al.; August 2006
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Beverage Consumption among High School Students --- United States, 2010; June 2011
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