Amdavadis give a boost to energy drinks

Have you been wanting to consume a drink that improves your alertness during exams, or just plan to give a kick to your energy post those

workout

sessions? Well, you are not the only one on the lookout for the best energy drink that provides what those ads on tv and hoardings around us promise. According to a recent research report, Indians have reportedly increased consumption of drinks that say ‘energy’ on can or bottles in a hope to give themselves a

boost

.

◗ BLAME IT ON THE LIFESTYLE? The report blames increase in consumption on lifestyle that includes urbanization, rising disposable income and growing health consciousness among the youth. “I have erratic working hours as I work for a BPO and there are times I have to keep awake the whole night and the following day too if I am filling in for a colleague. That’s when I turn to these

energy drinks

because I have to keep myself up and I don’t drink soft drinks too,” says Shubham Vaghela, a city based professional. Coffee and tea for the longest time have been the most consumed beverages. The report also claims that by 2020 the energy drink market in the country will touch 4426.1 million which happens to be growing at CAGR (compound annual growth rate) 4.4% A lot of new names in the energy drinks sector has entered the Indian market in the recent past.

◗ WHY’S THERE A RISE IN THE CONSUMPTION? The consumption can be blamed on youngsters getting conscious about their health.According to Dr N Limbasiya, director of a Rajkot based herbal health products company says, “Most energy drinks contain caffeine that promises to make the consumer alert but when it is synthetic based then it does affect the body. Then there are companies that offer

fruit

based energy drinks which is colourless and helps increase stamina and decrease fatigue as much as other energy drinks.” Major ingredients of these energy drinks are caffeine, amino acids, vitamins and sugar. “Many a times such drinks are too high on sugar which is not good for health but at the same time if the sugar content is zeroed then it directly affects the brain and makes the consumer grumpy,”adds Dr Limbasiya. Seema Shah, city based dietician says,“People should rely more on natural drinks such as coconut water, sugarcane juice, or lemonade with honey but youngsters now prefer protein shake or energy drinks over naturals.

The sugar content in such drinks is high which can be harmful in the long run.” Shah also informs that these drinks do not have any vitamins, proteins or anything that the body needs. “I don’t completely say they should not be consumed and are good in summer when one feels giddy or low on energy but the consumption should be calculated.” Sapna Vyas Patel,city based fitness expert says, “Though most energy drinks are safe to consume, most of them are high in sugar, so if you are watching your weight make sure to read the label before consuming energy drinks. Hydration is very important during workout and one can replenish the lost electrolytes and water by consuming coconut water, lemon juice,fruit juice and water too instead of these energy drinks.Energy drinks can help long distance runners as well as those who workout with high intensity for longer duration but also depends on the intensity,volume and duration of the workout." The trend of increasing social gathering,long and erratic working hours is also to be blamed for the increase in consumption.

◗ SOME STILL DON'T PREFER ENERGY DRINKS Another city based businessman Dharam Virani says, “I do take supplements after my work out but never rely on energy drinks. I would rather have two extra cups of black coffee than those expensive drinks.”