The Best Workout Energy Drink

The market is rife with energy drinks that claim to provide you the best workout, especially with morning workouts. However, before choosing a workout drink, it is important to consider the ingredients. An ideal workout energy drink must have a low sodium concentration and should not be sweet, meaning the fructose content should be low with a carbohydrate concentration of 5 percent to 8 percent.

Runner after workout holding a energy drink (Image: vladans/iStock/Getty Images)

Morning Workouts

Mike Geary, founder of Truth About Abs, suggests that the morning workouts are the best because they help you kick start your day. However, he is also quick to mention the disadvantages of starting your workout on an empty stomach. According to Geary, it could provide you with lean muscle, but over a period of time, it lowers the metabolic rate of the body, resulting in an increased fat storage. Instead, you can drink a pure berry juice before starting your workout.

Eating

Eating a full meal before your workout can backfire because your body may not be able to perform to its full potential. You can have a light meal before you begin your workout but it is generally advised against.

Pre-Workout Drinks

Geary is against store bought energy drinks and advises his followers to make their own versions of energy drinks since the sugar content is low and you can customize it whichever way you want. His personal recipe for a morning workout drink is to mix 6 oz. of herbal iced tea with 6 oz. of pure blueberry or blackberry juice. Add 15 g 20 g of whey protein and a tablespoon or two of coconut milk if you want. This drink breaks down immediately when ingested, providing you with the energy required during your workout.

Reading The Label

According to BodyBuilding.com, workout energy drinks in the market can provide you with the energy you need for a great workout but it is important to keep the following things in mind: Avoid drinks with a high concentration of liquid glucose, sucrose or fructose since they get converted to carbohydrates in the body and result in low fluid absorption. The carbohydrate concentration should be no more than 8 percent. Energy drinks with sodium can benefit athletes since it curbs their urge to drink.

Quantity

Ideally, you should not be consuming more than 600 ml of your energy drink before the workout. The best way to ensure that you adhere to this is either buying a 500 ml can or if you are making the drink at home, then you can get a Pyrex glass. However, during a prolonged exercise session you can continue drinking this after every one hour.