Goodbye caffeine and carbonated gamers drinks, and say hello to natural caffeine options and healthier alternatives that will still keep you going! Are you interested to know more? Read on.
Competitive gamers deal with stress just like any other professional athlete. With millions on the line, there is intense pressure to perform. Gamers need to sustain their energy, concentration, and speed for an average of 7 to 8 hours per competition.
That is why many competitive gamers have become dependent on energy drinks. As gamers drinks, these high-caffeine drinks give them the boost they need for competitive matches.
However, drinking very high levels of caffeine for a prolonged time comes with health risks. It may provide the energy boost they need but can be hazardous in the long run.
So, what are the best energy drinks for gamers? Here are healthier and more sustainable gamers drinks that you can try.
Why Do Gamers Drink Energy Drinks?
Competitive gaming requires quick reflexes, astute problem-solving skills, and good hand-eye coordination — all of which require high energy levels.
And in the stressful and fast-paced world of eSports, you need something that can give you that immediate energy boost.
That’s where energy drinks come in.
A standard 8 oz energy drink may contain anywhere from 50 to 500 mg of caffeine per serving. Energy shots also have up to 200 mg of caffeine per 2 oz serving.
In comparison, a cup of coffee has about 70-150 mg of caffeine, while a can of soda has about 30-70 mg of caffeine.
Another reason gamers drink energy drinks is that the caffeine will only take about 10 minutes to kick in.
Here’s what they get in return.
Quick Energy Boost
Contrary to popular belief, gaming is not a mindless activity. You need sharp cognitive skills to pay attention to the visual field and execute moves quickly.
Without energy, the body is less aware, and responses and reaction time can lag. Just one energy drink can change all that. The quick energy boost can prepare you for your next match in just a few minutes.
Improved Focus
Focus is critical because it allows gamers to think quickly on their feet. You also need memory and attention to strategize and make game-winning moves.
However, lack of sleep, prolonged matches, and even increased screen time can all take a toll on your energy levels. You’re less likely to perform at your best during a competition if you feel drowsy and fatigued.
What Are the Health Risks of Energy Drinks?
Though energy drinks seem to be highly effective in giving gamers the boost they need for competitions, research data is clear regarding the health risks associated with prolonged and excessive intake of high-caffeine drinks.
Here are the health risks associated with energy drinks:
1. Cardiovascular Effects
Energy drinks have been associated with an increased risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.
2. Gastrointestinal Effects
Drinking energy drinks may cause headaches, nausea, vomiting, acid reflux, and diarrhea. Over time, high levels of caffeine can also increase your risk of gastritis, ulcers, and liver toxicity.
3. Neurological Effects
Short-term effects of energy drinks may include alertness and concentration, but they can also make you jittery and nervous.
Studies have also found that energy drinks can lead to brain injury and damage. This is particularly true for those who mix energy drinks with alcohol — leading them to engage in risk-taking behaviors that can lead to serious accidents.
4. Psychological Effects
While energy drinks can give you a quick energy boost and increase your focus, the truth is that these effects are temporary. They will wear off in about an hour. To avoid crashing, you take another energy drink, and so on. This cycle can lead to addiction issues.
Energy drinks have also been linked to stress, sleep problems, mood disorders, aggression, and anxiety.
5. Oral Effects
The high sugar and acid levels in energy drinks can gradually wear down your tooth enamel and increase your risk of dental caries.
6. Vulnerable Populations
High levels of caffeine can also lead to more adverse health effects in certain populations, particularly children and adolescents. Studies have shown that intake of high levels of caffeine is associated with mood disorders, behavioral problems, diabetes and obesity, cardiac abnormalities, and seizures.
Pregnant women should also avoid energy drinks as they can lead to high blood pressure, a higher risk for miscarriage and stillbirths, and low birth weight.
Mixing energy drinks with alcohol is also very dangerous. It can result in “wide awake drunkenness” that causes them to underestimate their actual level of impairment. Thus, these people may drink even more and possibly engage in risky behaviors such as driving under the influence.
Healthier Energy Drink Alternatives for Gamers
While the short-term effects of energy drinks might be alluring — especially for gamers — dependence on these high-caffeine beverages will not be good for us in the long run.
While no other alternative may come close to energy drinks, there are healthier energy drink alternatives that can give us the boost we need — without posing a risk to our health.
1. Protein Shakes
Metabolism is the process that allows our body to turn food into energy. Drinking protein shakes or smoothies can naturally boost your energy. Protein powders can give you a boost in metabolism. Just make sure to include some carbohydrates so your body can convert them to energy. These are excellent healthy caffeine alternatives for gamers seeking clean energy drinks.
2. Natural Supplements
Taking natural supplements is another way to get the energy boost you need during stressful situations such as competitive gaming tournaments. These supplements are great examples of natural energy drinks without caffeine.
Here are some ingredients to look out for that can naturally boost your energy levels, focus, mood, and mental performance:
3. Lower-Dose Caffeine Drinks
While coffee and green tea beverages still contain caffeine, they are considered healthy caffeine drinks and are still better than energy drinks. They will give you the energy boost you need without having the sugar crash and other side effects of energy drinks.
Just make sure you limit your caffeine consumption to the recommended 400 mg daily.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Energy Drinks Help With Video Games?
Yes, energy drinks can temporarily boost your energy — making you more alert and focused. However, these drinks usually have a high level of sugar and caffeine which can make you crash. Prolonged use of energy drinks can also lead to health problems.
What Can Happen If You Drink Energy Drinks Every Day?
Indulging in energy drinks from time to time is not bad. However, if you drink these high-caffeine drinks daily, you might experience several symptoms, such as high blood pressure and increased heart rate. Over time, this can increase your risk for more serious health conditions.
Are Energy Drinks Worse Than Alcohol?
Moderate and responsible consumption of either energy drinks or alcohol is acceptable. However, mixing these two drinks can be very dangerous. Energy drinks awaken you, so you don’t realize how impaired you are from the alcohol you consume. As such, you might engage in risky behaviors leading to serious accidents.
Are Energy Drinks Good For Gaming?
Energy drinks can provide you with the boost you need for gaming. To lessen the health effects of this beverage, ensure you do not exceed the acceptable daily limit for caffeine (400 mg).
Choose Natural Energy-Boosters for Gamers Drinks
Since the energy drink market is unregulated, it is not stopping anyone from consuming as much as they want.
For competitive gamers, energy drinks are a legal stimulant that helps improve their performance during competitive matches. But consuming high levels of caffeine can increase your risk of experiencing adverse health effects.
For better health in the long run, why not choose a healthier, more natural caffeine booster? We presented the best clean energy drinks and alternative energy drinks for gamers. These can give you the focus and mental alertness you need without risking your health.
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