Everyone can occasionally use an eye-opener. While many of us choose coffee for that kick, some people prefer energy drinks.
You can make yourself a cup of coffee at home for as little as 25 cents. Even less. But when it comes to energy drinks, you can go to the convenience store and pay up to 3 bucks for these things. Are they worth the money?
Independent lab Consumerlab.com recently tested popular energy drinks to see exactly what's inside.
Tod Cooperman, MD. said, "These energy drinks don't really contain energy generally... energy being calories. What they do contain is a lot of caffeine and then a blend of vitamins and minerals which probably don't do you any good."
So, like coffee, caffeine is what's providing the boost. But these drinks also claim to contain something that coffee doesn't... vitamins. Especially B vitamins. Maybe that makes them worth more?
"Few people are really deficient in B vitamins. So the vitamins in these products are really sort of herbal camouflages for the caffeine which is the major source of effect in these products,” said Tod Cooperman, MD.
So when you buy an energy drink, the odds are good that you are paying more but not so good that you're actually getting more. Want to find your energy for free? Well the doctor that runs consumer lab has some advice on that.
“The best way to get more energy is to get good sleep. The caffeine may give you a good pickup, but it's not going to give you energy," Cooperman said.
Bottom line? Energy drinks aren't a great way to spend money, or stay awake. Maybe you should sleep on it. For more info, go to MoneyTalksNews.com and search do a search for "energy drinks."
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