Would you like to feel more alert at work? Or perhaps you are looking for a simple way to boost your concentration levels during the dreaded afternoon slump? Either way, natural energy drinks might be just what you need to perform at your best all day long. Known for their ability to banish tiredness and make you feel alert, natural energy drinks can also actively improve your brain function. Are you interested to know more? Read on to discover everything you need to know about natural energy drinks, including how they can reduce mental fatigue and improve key brain functions such as concentration, memory, and reaction times. Healthy drinks to boost performance Energy drinks are beverages that are specially formulated to increase energy and improve mental performance. While traditional energy drinks have a bit of a bad reputation due to their high sugar and caffeine content and a whole host of other additives, natural energy drinks are designed to give you the edge you need in a much healthier way. Typically, natural energy drinks are free from artificial sweeteners and synthetic colourings. Furthermore, they do not contain any added sugars and are instead made from naturally derived ingredients such as green tea and botanical extracts. Natural energy drinks are also great sources of antioxidants and other key nutrients that the body needs to perform at its best. Are energy drinks healthy? As mentioned above, the main reason that people drink energy drinks is to feel more mentally alert. However, there are so many more benefits to consuming these popular beverages, including: To boost energy levels To improve mood To boost athletic performance To increase concentration To improve memory To boost brain function Of course, standard energy drinks claim to offer the same advantages. However, there are several known drawbacks to these types of beverages. One disadvantage of these drinks is that they have a very high sugar content which, although delivering a temporary energy boost, can also lead to sugar addiction, depression, high levels of stress, and an increased risk of developing diseases such as diabetes and Alzheimer’s. Moreover, high sugar consumption has also shown signs of lowering your attention span, short-term memory, ability to learn, and your overall mood. It also has the ability to change your brainwave patterns which can make it more difficult for you to think clearly. Not what you want from an energy drink! Natural brain boosters to look out for Unlike commercially manufactured energy drinks, natural energy drinks, when consumed in moderation, can help you to build a stronger and healthier brain. There are several ways that natural energy drinks work to boost brain function: They boost neurotransmitter levels that are responsible for improving your mood and increasing motivation. They contain phytonutrients that actively increase brain cell production and increase blood flow to the brain. They work to offset the effects of ageing by protecting the brain from free radical damage and degenerative diseases. Many natural energy drinks contain green tea, which has a whole host of both physical and mental health benefits. This is due to two main compounds that are found in green tea: EGCC and L-theanine. EGCC is known for its ability to improve memory and boost attention span. It is also highly effective at reducing anxiety and strengthening the body’s natural resilience to stress. L-theanine, on the other hand, promotes the neurotransmitters in the brain that are responsible for attention, memory recall, learning, and mood. It is also known to aid relaxation. Another great ingredient to look out for in natural energy drinks is Yerba Mate. This is a traditional South American tea that is brewed from a member of the holly plant family. Yerba mate is said to pack the punch of coffee and deliver the health benefits of tea and the mood-boosting abilities of chocolate all in one! Converts of this multi-tasking tea claim that it increases mental clarity, boosts energy levels, and improves mental focus, all without the jittery effects of other products that contain high levels of caffeine. How do energy drinks help to increase stamina? Whether you are looking to increase your stamina at work, during physical activity, or just in general, energy drinks can help you to perform at your best for longer. Traditional energy drinks increase stamina due to ingredients such as caffeine and taurine that are known to reduce fatigue and elevate concentration which can lead to an improvement in stamina levels. However, if you opt for more natural energy drinks, you can increase your stamina while simultaneously improving mental clarity and boosting brain function. Furthermore, natural energy drinks do not come with any of the unwanted side effects that are common in people who consume traditional energy drinks. It is worth noting that you should never consume more than the recommended amount of any energy drink per day, as this could potentially cause health problems. Side effects of unhealthy energy drinks As briefly mentioned above, there are several unwanted side effects that you may experience if you regularly drink unhealthy energy drinks. Some of the most common side effects include: High blood pressure Poor sleep patterns and/or insomnia Headaches Stomach aches Dehydration Increased heart rate Restlessness Heart palpitations Weight gain Anxiety Type 2 diabetes If you have an underlying heart condition, you could potentially go into cardiac arrest after consuming only a few energy drinks. Also, some ingredients in commercially manufactured energy drinks can interact with certain medications, so you should consult with your doctor before consuming these if you are taking any prescribed drugs. Conclusion Natural energy drinks, when consumed in the recommended quantities, can improve your mental clarity and focus, boost your memory and your ability to learn, and increase your capacity to think critically and solve problems calmly. Does this sound like something that you would like to achieve? If yes, then browse our range of high-quality, dietician-approved natural energy drinks here and gain the edge you need to succeed.