Say goodbye to carbonated beverages and caffeine, and hello to healthier options that will keep you going. Do you want to learn more? Continue reading.
Competitive gamers experience stress the same way as professional athletes. There is intense pressure to perform when millions are at stake. Gamers must maintain their focus, energy, and speed for 7 to 8 hours each competition.
Many competitive gamers are now dependent on energy drinks. These high-caffeine beverages are a great choice for gamers who need a boost to compete in games.
Consuming high amounts of caffeine over a long period of time can pose health risks. Although it may give them the energy boost they desire, it can also be dangerous in the long-term.
What are the best gaming energy drinks? These are some healthier, more sustainable options for gamers drinks.
Why do Gamers Drink Energy Drinks
High energy is required to compete in competitive gaming.
You need to have an immediate boost of energy in this fast-paced, stressful world of eSports.
Here’s where energy drinks come into play.
An 8-ounce standard energy drink can contain 50 to 500mg of caffeine per cup. Energy shots can also contain up to 200mg of caffeine per 2oz serving.
A cup of coffee contains about 70-150mg of caffeine, while a can has 30-70mg of caffeine.
The caffeine kick-in time for gamers is only 10 minutes.
Here’s what they get back.
Quick Energy Boost
Gaming isn’t a mindless pastime, contrary to popular belief. To be able to quickly execute moves and pay attention to the visual fields , you need sharp cognitive abilities .
Energy is essential for the body to function properly. Without it, our bodies are less alert and can experience a slowing down in response time and responses. All that can be changed by one energy drink. In just minutes, you can get an instant energy boost that will prepare you for your next match.
Improved Focus
Because gamers need to be focused, it is crucial that they can think quickly and efficiently. To strategize and make the game-winning moves, you will also need attention and memory.
Your energy levels can be affected by lack of sleep, long matches, and increased screen time. If you feel tired and drowsy, your performance during competitions will be less impressive.
What are the health risks of energy drinks?
Although energy drinks are effective at giving gamers the boost they need to compete, there is no evidence that excessive consumption of high-caffeine beverages can cause health problems.
These are the health risks that energy drinks can cause:
1. Cardiovascular effects
Studies have shown that energy drinks can increase your risk of developing heart disease.
2. Gastrointestinal Effects
Energy drinks can cause nausea, vomiting, acid reflux, headaches, and diarrhea. High levels of caffeine can increase your risk for gastritis, stomach ulcers, liver toxicity, and even death.
3. Neurological Effects
Energy drinks can have short-term effects that include concentration and alertness, but they can also cause anxiety and jitteriness.
Research has also shown that energy drinks can cause brain damage and injury. This is especially true for people who drink energy drinks mixed with alcohol. They may take risks that could lead to serious injuries.
4. Psychological effects
Energy drinks may give you an instant energy boost and can increase your focus but these effects are temporary. These effects will fade in approximately an hour. You can take another energy drink to avoid crashing. This can lead to addiction.
There have been studies that energy drinks can cause anxiety, insomnia, mood disorders, aggression, stress and sleep problems.
5. Oral effects
High sugar and acid levels in energy drinks can slowly wear down tooth enamel and increase the risk of developing dental caries.
6. Vulnerable Populations
Higher levels of caffeine can have more severe health consequences in some populations, especially children and teenagers. Studies have shown that high caffeine intake is linked to mood disorders, obesity, heart abnormalities, seizures, and diabetes.
Women who are pregnant should avoid energy drinks. They can cause high blood pressure, stillbirths and miscarriage, as well as low birth weight.
It is very dangerous to mix energy drinks and alcohol. This can lead to ” wide awake drunkenness“, which causes people to underestimate the extent of their impairment. These people might drink more and engage in risky behavior such as driving under the influence.
Gamers can have healthier alternatives to energy drinks
Although energy drinks may seem appealing in the short term, especially for gamers, long-term dependence on high-caffeine drinks will be detrimental for our health.
Although energy drinks are the best option, there are healthier options that can provide us with the energy we need without putting our health at risk.
1. Protein Shakes
Metabolism refers to the process by which our bodies convert food into energy. Your energy levels can be naturally boosted by drinking protein smoothies or shakes. You can boost your metabolism with protein powders. You should include carbohydrates to help your body convert them into energy.
These ingredients can be used in your meals:
- Almonds
- Apples
- Bananas
- Blueberries
- Cereals
- Grains
- Honey
- Mangoes
- Milk
- Oats
- Peanuts
- Strawberries
2. Natural Supplements
Natural supplements are another option to gain the energy boost that you need in stressful situations like competitive gaming tournaments.
These are some ingredients that will naturally increase your energy, focus, mood, mental performance, and energy levels.
- ALPHASIZE(r), A-GPC – Promotes the production acetylcholine, which is vital for learning, memory and attention. It can improve mental performance and increase energy.
- Beetroot Powder – Contains phytochemicals which increase mental clarity and energy levels. It increases the efficiency of cells’ energy production.
- L-Tyrosine is important in the production dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine which regulate our “fight or flight” response. This can help you react to stressful situations. Even if you don’t get enough sleep, it can keep your mind sharp.
- L-Theanine – Improves mental focus, energy levels and relaxation. It promotes better sleep quality and better stress response.
- Vitamin B – Low Vitamin B levels are associated with weakness and fatigue. Energy production is a key function of B vitamins. They aid the body to convert food into energy.
- Creatinine — It helps produce ATP, your body’s energy currency. It improves performance, particularly in activities that require short bursts, such as gaming and high-intensity exercise.
- Omega-3 – Low Omega-3 levels are associated with fatigue and poor memory. This supplement can improve mood, memory, and reduce fatigue.
- Vitamin D – Increases energy and strength of muscles. You could experience improvements in speed and reflexes if you have more muscle strength.
XND’s Focus provides more energy, better concentration, and better memory. It contains Alphasize(r), green tea extract, beetroot powder and L-theanine. It is also Informed-Sport Certified.
3. Lower-Dose Caffeine Drinks
Green tea and coffee still contain caffeine but they are better than energy drinks. These beverages will provide you with the energy boost that you require without the side effects of energy drinks like sugar crashes and side effects.
Limit your caffeine intake to 400 mg per day.
Most Frequently Asked Questions
Are Energy Drinks Good for Video Games?
Energy drinks can temporarily increase your energy, making you more alert. These drinks can cause you to crash because they contain a lot of sugar and caffeine. Drinking energy drinks for too long can cause health problems.
What Happens if You Drink Energy Drinks Everyday?
It is okay to indulge in energy drinks from now and again. Drinking these high-caffeine beverages every day can lead to several symptoms such as increased blood pressure and heart rate. This can lead to more serious health problems.
Are Energy Drinks More Harmful Than Alcohol?
It is acceptable to consume moderate amounts of alcohol and energy drinks. Mixing these drinks can lead to serious health problems. You may not realize the effects of alcohol on your brain when you drink energy drinks. You might be prone to dangerous behaviors that can lead to serious injuries.
Are Energy Drinks Good For Gaming?
Energy drinks can give you the energy you need to play your favorite games. You should not consume more caffeine than the daily recommended intake (400mg).
Get natural energy-boosters for gamers with Gamers Drinks
The energy drink market isn’t regulated so anyone can consume as much as they like.
Energy drinks can be used by competitive gamers to enhance their performance in competitive matches. Consuming high amounts of caffeine can lead to adverse health effects.
You can have better long-term health by choosing a natural, healthier energy booster. Here are the top alternative energy drinks for gamers. These drinks can help you focus and stay alert without putting your health at risk.
