(Photo credit: Flickr) The break room was set up with my presentation displayed on the large white wall, handouts neatly stacked on a corner table. The alarm sounded and 100 assembly line workers hustled into the room. They each grabbed a packed lunch, found a seat, and prepared to devour their meal along with the ''lunch and learn'' topic of the day. Exactly 22 minutes later, they were all out the door and back to work. This scenario took place five times throughout the day to assure that all shifts received the same information. These are not the folks who live a sedentary nine to five lifestyle, pushing pencils and attached to a computer screen. Rather, these folks are working very early mornings and graveyard shifts…lifting, toting, screwing, wiring, welding, and painting. This work forces the body to develop an unnatural alarm clock, accompanied by many missed family functions and numerous stress-related health complications. These folks are trying to make ends meet, feed the family, and pray daily that their line doesn’t get moved out of the country. As I talked with these men and women about feeding their families healthy foods, the question that surfaced again and again each and every shift was: ''Hey Becky, What do you think about the 5-Hour Energy Drink?'' What About 5-Hour Energy Drinks? I recently read a Forbes Magazine article that detailed the story of 5-Hour Energy Drink founder Manoj Bhargava's rise to billionaire status. Here’s a man who found himself at a natural products trade show in 2003. He tasted this secret concoction which claimed to boost energy and felt the results. Not wanting to share shelf space with the numerous 16-ounce versions of energy drinks already on the market, Mr. Bhargava decided to make it gulp-sized, just two ounces. A cute, sexy little bottle, running-man logo and highly coveted shelf space in the check-out lines at various superstores…and the rest is history. Who doesn’t enjoy reading about the ''little guy'' who, with hard work and dedication, makes it big? I know I do. It’s one of the reasons I have such admiration and respect for our SparkPeople founder, Chris Downie. However, the comparison stops there! My Take on the Secret Sauce:
Do you drink 5-Hour Energy Drinks?
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Good article, Becky. Report
Had to laugh when I read the statement about caffeine having "no place" in the diets of children and teens; I have, in fact, been drinking coffee since I was 8 years old! And I turned out just fine; never sick, no health conditions. Report
I'm more concerned about the artificial ingredients than the caffeine or B-vitamins. I probably only have three or four energy drinks per year, though, so it doesn't particularly worry me. Report
If you hate the taste -- GOOD. That is why they sell it in a shot size serving. You don't really need to taste it.
If you are feeling sick after one of those, it is because you have convinced yourself that will be the result. There is no reason anything in there should make you feel sick.
Personally, I feel more mentally sharp and alert. There are a number of activities that I show better results on with FHE than without.
That said, that is anecdotal evidence, not empirical data. Of course, that is the case for all of the negative energy drink comments on here as well.
Part of having a healthy body is having an open mind. Don't get stuck in assumptions that close your mind (like if it is natural it is automatically good).
That said, working out, getting sleep and reducing stress does more for my energy and alertness than anything else. Report
My only experience with an energy drink was Red Bull. I took it while fueling the car on a cross country road trip and IMMEDIATELY had to pull of the road to sleep it off. I literally could not open my eyes after consuming the drink. Report
It's been over a year, and I still have the 5th bottle from that package laying around somewhere.. but my hours and environment is a lot better now, so I don't think I'll be needing it. Report