Driving can be monotonous and a bit boring at times, so it helps to have something to keep you awake and alert. Many people turn to caffeinated drinks such as coffee or tea, and millions of Americans head for the energy drink aisle. Energy drinks are convenient and often contain more caffeine than even the strongest cup of coffee, so they’re ideal for a grab-and-go boost.
In addition to caffeine, energy drinks often contain sugar that works in your body to produce insulin, which causes your blood to flow faster throughout your body. This is what people refer to as a sugar rush. You feel a burst of energy, but will crash after the rush wears off. Be sure to check your daily recommended amounts of both caffeine and sugar before you consume any energy drink.
After effects of consuming too much caffeine and sugar can be a rapid heartbeat, headaches, dizziness or lightheadedness, jitters, and dehydration. All of these effects can be extremely dangerous, especially if you’re operating a motor vehicle while you’re tired because they may inadvertently lead to car accidents. Most people shouldn’t consume more than 400mg of caffeine in a 24 hour period, according to the FDA.
Reign Total Body Fuel
A relatively new energy drink on the market, Reign Energy Drink is produced by the well-known Monster Beverage Corporation. One full can has a high dose of 300mg of caffeine and it’s sugar-free with no artificial colors or flavors. Although the many flavors such as Orange Dreamsicle and Carnival Candy contain electrolytes, the high amount of caffeine could be dehydrating.
C4 Energy Drink
This one has been around since 2006, so it’s already a favorite among consumers. C4 Energy Drink comes in seven flavors including Electric Sour and Peach Mango Nectar, and has about 135mg of caffeine per can. This energy drink comes in both sugar-free and sugar added versions and is a good choice if you don’t want to be over-caffeinated while driving.
5-Hour Energy
Coming in at just under 2 fl.oz, this tiny energy drink packs a huge punch with 200 mg of caffeine per serving. 5-Hour Energy is sugar-free and has only 4 calories per bottle, with zero carbs, which makes it a great choice if you’re not trying to fill up on empty calories or sugar. It comes in 17 flavor shots including Tropical Burst and Strawberry Watermelon, but don’t let its sweet flavor and size fool you. It packs a caffeine punch.
Red Bull
This is the brand that everyone thinks about when someone says “energy drink”. That’s because it is the first mass produced and advertised energy drink, the original, and is the highest-selling in the entire world. Red Bull comes in different sizes with varying degrees of caffeine, ranging from 77.4mg to 147.6mg of caffeine per can, with flavors including Sugar-Free Tangerine and Cranberry.
Bang Energy Drink
This one is the third best-selling energy drink, boasting a whopping 300mg of caffeine per can. It comes in 24 flavors including Birthday Cake Bash and Root Beer, and for those that love the flavor but don’t want the energy boost there are caffeine-free flavors including Sour Heads and Cotton Candy. Although Bang Energy Drinks are advertised as sugar-free, the high amount of caffeine can make you jittery if you have a low tolerance.
