Do Energy Shots Really Work?

Unless you've been living under a rock for the past few years, you've heard of 'energy shots'. You've seen the commercials-an attractive male talks about the different ways people try to gain energy throughout the day (coffee, soda, etc) and how his energy shot is better. I've seen 4-hour, 5-hour and 7-hour energy shots in stores, and you probably have too. But what is in them, and are they safe? More importantly, do they actually work?

Ingredients vary from drink to drink, but most energy shots contain B Vitamins, caffeine and taurine. Taurine is an amino acid found in animal products. When they say that there's no 'crash' later, they're referring to the type of energy drain that can be caused by sugary products. Have you ever eaten a candy bar or drank a soda to get your energy up, only to find that you feel worse than before once the energy wears off? That's because of the sugar. Most energy shots contain about 4 calories, so they are also friendlier on the waistline than sugary products. It's also much easier to fit a 2-ounce bottle into a pocket or purse than a 12-oz can of soda or a cup of coffee!

Many people do report increased energy from taking the energy shots compared to other drinks. I've never tried them; at $3-$4 a pop, they're a bit expensive to me. As for the taste, I've heard it compared to your average energy (which I find disgusting). I guess since there's only two ounces, it's much easier tolerate it than a larger drink. While a boost of B Vitamins certainly won't hurt you, it hasn't been proven to boost energy in someone unless they have a deficiency of them.

In terms of safety, it all depends. Since they give a good dose of caffeine, it's probably not a good idea to take them with other caffeinated drinks (coffee, etc). Also, do not take more than one at a time or take it several times a day. The adverse effects of too much caffeine-rapid heartbeat, nervousness, insomnia, higher blood pressure, etc-are still there with energy shots, so people who are sensitive to caffeine might want to avoid them. An excess of some B Vitamins can cause an uncomfortable jittery and 'flushing' feeling. If you have any concerns, ask your doctor. Also, most energy shots like 5-Hour Energy are considered 'herbal supplements', and thus not required to undergo FDA testing or to list their ingredients on the bottle like other products are.

Overall, energy shots work better for some people than others. It's fine to take them for an extra boost of energy if you need it immediately, which is why they are so popular among college students cramming for exams the next morning! However, if you are really tired on a regular basis, it's better to find out why. For instance, are you getting enough sleep? Drinking enough water? Getting enough exercise? Work on these things first if you find you are chronically tired; otherwise, you're just treating the symptom.