20 Best Healthy Energy Drinks
on Apr 02, 2022, Updated Nov 19, 2023
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Sometimes we all need a boost of energy. Whether it’s to get over the mid-afternoon slump or to power through a run or workout, Healthy Energy Drinks can keep you focused through physically and mentally demanding tasks.
These days, you’ve got lots of alternatives to traditional energy drinks. Healthier options include natural ingredients and less nasty chemicals that can lead to a crash. You can even make your own energy drinks at home filled with wholesome and healthy ingredients.
What Is a Healthy Energy Drink?
A healthy energy drink has fewer artificial ingredients and chemicals. Traditional energy drinks tend to be very high in sugar, which can negatively impact your health over time. Healthy energy drinks are either unsweetened or sweetened with natural ingredients like fruits or honey. They also contain fewer artificial chemicals and provide energy from natural sources.
Are Energy Drinks Good for You?
Some high-sugar energy drinks may cause health issues if consumed too often. The chemicals in some energy drinks may also cause increased heart rate, leading to high blood pressure and anxiety. For this reason, health-conscious people are looking for better alternatives.
What are Healthy Alternatives to Energy Drinks?
Tea-based drinks such as kombucha and Yerba maté are gaining popularity as natural and healthy alternatives to energy drinks. You can also get natural energy from fruits, vegetables and roots. Popular healthy energy drink ingredients include citrus fruits, ginger and berries.
How to Pick Healthy Energy Drinks
Look for energy drinks with reduced sugar content if you want a healthier alternative. Many healthy energy drinks are made with natural green tea, which is a healthier source of caffeine and energy. Look at the list of ingredients and research anything you’re not familiar with so you can be sure of what you’re putting into your body.
Healthy Energy Drinks in Stores
- Sound Sparkling Organic Yerba Maté: This refreshing drink is made with tea and other botanical ingredients with natural fruit flavors. With 70mg of caffeine per bottle, it’s a healthier way to get past your afternoon slump.
- Kombucha: Kombucha is a popular healthy energy drink made from fermented tea. Best of all, it’s vegan, keto friendly and low in calories.
- MatchaBar Hustle Matcha Energy: Made with naturally-derived matcha green tea extract and real lemon extract, this refreshing drink provides both energy and focus.
- V8 Healthy Energy Drink: From the makers of your favorite fruit and vegetable juices comes this sparkling energy drink. Get all the benefits of black and green tea in a zesty, fruity can of V8.
- Proper Wild Clean All Day Energy Shots: These energy shots provide hours of energy without that unpleasant crash. Get twice the caffeine as a cup of coffee in a fruity, plant-based shot!
- Guayaki Unsweetened Yerba Maté: With an energizing burst of citrus flavor and 150mg of caffeine per can, this is the pick-me-up you’ve been looking for. Best of all, they’re only 120 calories per can.
Homemade Healthy Energy Drinks Recipes
- Fresh Pomegranate Juice: For a 100% natural burst of energy that you can make at home, look no further than pomegranate juice. Get the benefits of powerful antioxidants, vitamins and minerals with this fruity drink.
- Healthy Dragon Fruit Smoothie: Dragonfruit is the exotic tropical fruit that’s packed with health benefits. Here’s the most delicious, creamy dragonfruit smoothie recipe you’ve ever seen!
- Iced Green Tea (Unsweetened): A cold-brewed jug of refreshing green tea is all you need on a hot afternoon. Add a sprig of fresh mint for a burst of energy and flavor.
- Matcha Green Energy Smoothie: Want a natural dose of caffeine in the mornings? Start your day off with this energizing blend of matcha, blueberries and spinach.
- Blueberry Coconut Energy Smoothie: Thanks to a handful of blueberries, this smoothie is filled with powerful antioxidants and other health benefits. Made with coconut water for a hydrating and refreshing treat.
- Citrus Sports Drink: When you need to power through a tough workout, this citrus energy drink has got your back. It’s packed with the electrolytes you need to finish strong.
- Iced Yerba Maté: Combine iced yerba maté tea with summery fruits and you’ve got a refreshing, all-natural energy drink.
- Beet Energy Juice: Beets are packed with anti-inflammatory and energizing properties. Get all the benefits of beets in this refreshing blend of natural juices.
- Orange Ginger Energy Drink: Skip the store-bought energy drinks and make your own refreshing blend. Boost your immune system with the power of citrus and ginger.
- Watermelon Beet Energy Juice: You’ll love the energizing properties of beetroot combined with hydrating watermelon. Take a bottle with you to the gym to power through your workout.
- Tumeric Ginger Energy Shots: A daily shot of turmeric and ginger provides surprising health benefits, in addition to energy. This 4-ingredient shot is anti-inflammatory and acts as a digestive aid.
- Apple Cider Energy Drink: Apple cider vinegar provides a clean boost of energy, but doesn’t taste so good. With a teaspoon of honey, this drink is slightly sweet and super refreshing.
- Cocoa Banana Smoothie: A rich and creamy smoothie made with real cocoa powder and pure vanilla extract. It’s vegan friendly and naturally sweetened with dates.
- Homemade Gatorade: You can do without the artificial flavors and colorings from store-bought sports drinks. With homemade gatorade, you can fuel your next workout with natural and healthy ingredients.
Are Bang Energy Drinks Healthy?
Bang Energy Drinks contain a large amount of caffeine without sugar, carbs or calories. Drinking them once in a while is not likely to cause major health problems. But excessive consumption of these drinks may pose the risk of leading to headaches, high blood pressure or anxiety.
Is an Energy Drink Worse than Coffee?
Some store-bought energy drinks might be worse for your body than coffee. Energy drinks are formulated with chemicals that can increase your blood pressure and anxiety if consumed on a regular basis.
Is it Better to Chug or Sip Energy Drinks?
To get the best result, it’s usually better to sip energy drinks. Chugging them may cause you to get a big burst of energy at once, while sipping allows for a more gradual effect that’s less likely to lead to a crash.
How Long Do Energy Drinks Last?
Most often, you can feel the effects of energy drinks within one hour of drinking them. Over the next 2-3 hours, the effects start to decline, even though the chemicals stay in your system for quite a while after.
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Healthy Energy Drink Dragon Fruit Smoothie
Ingredients
- 2 cups dragon fruit 2 frozen pitaya packs
- 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1 large frozen whole banana
- optional toppings
Instructions
- Gather together all the ingredients and slice frozen banana into chunks.
- Pour almond milk into the blender, and add frozen banana and dragon fruit.
- Secure the lid and start to blend on low speed and increase to high. Blend for about 30 to 60 seconds or until the mixture is evenly smooth.
- Pour in glasses and garnish with optional toppings. Serve immediately.
Nutrition information provided is an estimate only and will vary based on ingredient brands and cooking methods used.
