Did you know that every day 85% of people in the United States consume at least one energy drink? In the UK the energy drink market is predicted to increase by about 5% by 2027.

Considering all the bad press surrounding these popular stimulants, this is a shocking statistic.

Even more worryingly, 25% of college students mix alcohol with energy drinks which can cause even more serious health problems.

As you might expect, Red Bull is the most popular energy drink, accounting for around 35% of all sales. This is despite the fact that one can contains the same amount of caffeine as around 4 cups of coffee.

If you are a regular consumer of energy drinks or maybe you even feel like you are addicted to these potentially dangerous beverages, you may be wondering how you can avoid them.

Fortunately, there are several alternatives to unhealthy energy drinks which deliver similar effects without any of the unwanted side effects.

Read on to discover just what these are!

Why are Energy Drinks Bad for You?

Before we take a look at how you can avoid unhealthy energy drinks, let’s first determine why these are so bad for you in the first place.

As you would expect, energy drinks contain high levels of caffeine which is what gives you that high burst of energy. However, too much caffeine, especially on a regular basis, can have seriously detrimental effects on your health.

Some of the most common side effects of unhealthy energy drinks are:

• Restlessness
• Insomnia
• Increased heart rate
• High blood pressure
• Nausea
• Upset stomach

Furthermore, most energy drinks are high in sugar which means that long term use can lead to health issues such as obesity, type 2 diabetes and tooth decay.

Finally, and perhaps most worryingly, energy drinks are addictive, which means that it can be very hard to stop drinking them once you become dependent on their effects. This is particularly true in people who might be consuming these unhealthy drinks multiple times a day.

What is Yerba Mate?

If you have not heard of Yerba Mate, then prepare to be amazed. A herbal tea that is made from the leaves and twigs of plant native to South America, Yerba Mate contains a whole host of healthy vitamins and minerals such as potassium, iron, magnesium and zinc.

Furthermore, it makes a great alternative to both coffee and traditional energy drinks as it offers similar positive effects without any of the unwanted ones.

As it does contain caffeine, you will still get that much-needed boost of energy, but you should not experience any of the ill effects of unhealthy energy drinks.

Furthermore, Yerba Mate is sugar-free and low in calories, which means it is better for your waist line and your overall health.

What are Natural Energy Drinks?

Whilst the term “energy drink” gets a bad rap, you may be interested to know that there are actually healthy energy drinks on the market.

For example, nootropic drinks (which are a relatively new addition to the supplement market) are designed to give you that much needed energy boost and improvement in mental clarity and concentration, without any of the ill effects associated with unhealthy energy drinks.

Sometimes referred to as “brain drinks”, nootropics do contain caffeine but in much smaller amounts, and they also contain a plethora of healthy nutrients that your body and mind need to perform at their best.

They are designed to improve your concentration, increase mental focus, boost your energy levels and basically make you your best self every day.

Can I give up Energy Drinks Cold Turkey?

If you have been dependent on unhealthy energy drinks for some time, you may be worried about giving these up cold turkey. Whilst you can quit energy drinks cold turkey, it can sometimes be a better idea to gradually reduce your intake so that you don’t feel the ill effects of caffeine and sugar withdrawal.

Alternatively, you could switch to a healthier energy drink which still contains caffeine but that also contains many other vital vitamins and minerals that your body and mind needs to perform at its best. This will allow your body to slowly adjust to the reduction in caffeine without making you feel unwell or unable to function at your best.

Here at Go Mate, we offer a selection of high-quality drinks that offer natural energy and nootropics to help you banish your unhealthy energy drinks addiction for good and adopt a healthier lifestyle.

Get in touch here today for more information.