Whether you need to fight off the mid-afternoon slump at the office, power through a gruelling workout at the gym, pull an all-nighter to meet that study deadline, or reign supreme during a heavy gaming session, guzzling cans of energy drinks is the popular choice to make all of this happen. If you’re used to reaching for a can whenever you need a little helping boost, then you probably already know they aren’t the healthiest choice. Recent stats published last year showed that a whopping 906 million litres of energy and sports drinks were consumed in the UK in 2021. That’s huge. Often packed with sugar, artificial flavourings, caffeine, and colourings, these traditional energy drinks can leave you feeling hungover long after the effects have worn off. The good news is that a new world of natural energy drinks is opening up, providing an alternative to the sweet stuff with all the benefits and no unwelcome side effects. With magic all-natural ingredients like Yerba Mate tea blend and 100% natural nootropics, natural healthy energy drink alternatives pack a punch in both effect and experience. Obviously, here at Go Mate, we’re big fans of all things natural, so keep reading to discover everything you need to know about traditional energy drinks versus natural ones. How Do Traditional Energy Drinks Work? Traditional energy drinks contain large quantities of caffeine, added sugar, and other artificial stimulants to increase alertness, focus, and energy levels. The effects of energy drinks take just 10 minutes to kick in, at which time blood pressure and heart rate will rise as caffeine works through the bloodstream. Why Are They Bad For You? While standard energy drinks can provide you with a pick-me-up when it’s needed, their very high sugar content and artificial stimulants mean that the boost they give is short. This can result in a steep sugar crash soon after, making you feel groggy, lethargic, and unfocused – the opposite of what you would expect from an energy drink! If you drink too many caffeinated energy drinks or you regularly consume them over a longer period, these are some of the unwanted side effects that you could experience: Nausea, being sick, stomach ache, and diarrhoea Increased feeling of anxiety Panic attacks Irregular heartbeat or fast heart rate Headaches Difficulty concentrating Mood changes Insomnia and difficulty sleeping Dehydration Weight gain Tooth decay What Is A Healthy Energy Drink? With such a long list of negative side effects and artificial ingredients, it’s no wonder many people are searching for a natural, healthier alternative to standard energy drinks. Natural energy drinks are generally considered healthy because they contain only natural flavours from fruits and vegetables, no added sugar, artificial colourings, or sweeteners. They’re typically lower in calories and contain minimal caffeine, only small traces that naturally occur in their natural ingredients. What makes natural energy drinks even better is that they often contain important vitamins and minerals to support a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Star Ingredients To Look For In Healthy Energy Drinks There are a few things to look out for when it comes to finding a healthy energy drink to give you power when you need it. Firstly, you need to make sure your drink contains only 100% natural ingredients with no added sugar, extra artificial flavours, colourings, or stimulants. At Go Mate, you won’t find any nasties in our drinks, just pure natural goodness and two special wonder ingredients: Yerba Mate Hailing from South America, yerba mate is a traditional herbal tea made from the leaves and stems of the yerba mate plant. It is packed full of health-boosting minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants to keep your mind and body energised and alert. Yerba mate is sugar-free, low in calories, and contains only natural caffeine to give you a gentle and sustained energy boost without the nasty crash, increased heart rate, and restlessness. Nootropics Nootropics are medicinal substances found in plants. When blended into natural, healthy energy drinks, they can support cognitive function, memory, creativity, and focus. Our favourites are Maca Root for enhanced brain function and Cacao Husk, which supports heart health. When carefully blended with yerba mate, they taste great and are very refreshing to become a perfect alternative to traditional energy drinks. Our Go Mate Awake drinks contain these star ingredients to deliver consistent focus and clarity for you to power through your day and align your body and mind in perfect harmony. Natural Energy Boosting Drinks Yerba Mate Tea Blend We’ve already mentioned that Yerba Mate is the star of the show when it comes to our Go Mate products. Yerba mate is antioxidant and nutrient-rich and can be brewed hot or cold, like in our drinks. Great for boosting energy and mental focus, yerba mate can be brewed to be as strong as coffee, but it isn’t acidic, nor is it addictive, so you don’t have to worry about becoming reliant on this super ingredient! As it’s a natural alternative, you also don’t have to worry about feeling jittery after consumption. Green Tea Green tea has been proven to improve mental performance and is a safer alternative to standard energy drinks. There is also evidence that it can decrease the risk of heart disease and some cancers and can be used to aid weight loss. Green Juices Green vegetables like spinach and kale are high in vitamin B, which supports metabolism and can help your body to produce energy faster, preventing any slumps throughout the day. Water You will already know the importance of H2O for a healthy lifestyle. But did you know dehydration can contribute to a drop in energy levels? So staying topped up with water is one of the best ways to keep these levels up and avoid a crash. Benefits Of Healthy Energy Drinks Here are some of the main benefits you can expect from switching to a healthy energy drink: Increased mental clarity and focus Improved productivity levels Allows you to maximise your day No sharp energy crash Supports health with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants They don’t negatively impact sleep No synthetic ingredients Kind to teeth Want to experience this for yourself? Browse our fabulous range of products right here.