If you are drinking energy drinks daily and you are not happy that after a few hours of being energetic, you start crashing, you are not alone. Why does this happen? Why do you hit so quickly after having energy drinks? You may be wondering if there is any point in drinking energy drinks since they don’t have the desired effect for very long.
And let’s go over how long the energy drink lasts in your system and what other options you can look into other than energy drinks to make sure that you have the juice for prepping, hunting, or anything else that you need to do!
How Long Does An Energy Drink Last?
When Do the Effects of the Energy Drink Begin to Wane?
Usually, it takes about 12 hours for the effects of the energy drinks to clear out because that is how long it takes for the body to process it. So that is the average, but also, that depends on other factors such as the metabolism rate of caffeine. It can also depend on how much caffeine is in the energy drink.
How do energy drinks work?
The thing with caffeine is that it blocks a chemical known as adenosine which signals how tired you feel. Since energy drinks have high amounts of caffeine, it creates a significant blockage of this chemical, making you feel like the Energizer Bunny.
So you will keep going, and going, and going for a while. Additionally, while you have an energetic boost, you boost a chemical called dopamine in the brain that makes you feel good. The dopamine rush helps you stay alert, and it also helps with improving self-confidence.
Therefore, on average, this takes about 12 hours to process. Even after the body processes the energy drinks, you may feel sluggish and have a withdrawal experience even one day after consuming them – unless you drink them again the next day.
If you are a heavy coffee drinker or take in a lot of caffeine daily, you will feel the effects even more. Now, you know how long the energy drinks last in your body. How about it lasting before you crash? Let’s talk about that now.
The Length of Time of How Long Energy Drinks Last Before Crashing
If you wonder why you crash so quickly after consuming a lot of caffeine, you may realize that it is because the caffeine levels in your bloodstream peak between 15 and 45 minutes after finishing it, and then after that, you will begin to feel tired.
Purpose of Energy Drinks
The purpose of energy drinks is to give you a quick boost that does not have the intention of holding out through an entire day or night. For example, if you plan to go hunting for only an hour or so, you can take in an energy drink, but it will not help you stay energetic for an entire day.
How to ensure that you don’t crash too quickly?
You will begin crashing after a brief energy boost since your body absorbs the caffeine fast and metabolizes it. If you want to ensure that you don’t crash after drinking Red Bull or something like that too quickly, you will want to invest in a higher-quality energy drink that will not cause a crash to happen within an hour or two of consumption.
That is why it usually takes about ten minutes or less to start feeling the kick. If you are prepping, you will want to grab an energy drink of much better quality than the ones you see readily available.
Now, you know that if you grab a high-quality energy drink, your body will absorb and metabolize it slower, which is why the crash won’t happen as quickly.
How long will the energy drink last if you open it and only drink part of it and put the rest in the fridge? Let’s go over that now.
After Opening an Energy Drink? How Long Will It Remain Drinkable?
The last thing you want to do is take an energy drink out of the fridge that you opened up one week ago, drink it, and it doesn’t give you the boost or taste you expect.
Putting Energy Drink in Fridge
You want the fizz, and you want the boost after drinking it, and that is why if you open the energy drink, and put it in the fridge, it will maintain its fizz and provide you with the boost between two to four days.
Putting Energy Drink at Room Temperature
However, if you purchased a case of energy drinks months ago and they are sitting unopened somewhere at room temperature, will they still be good? Yes, they will, and all you need to do is look at the best before the date.
They can last for a good nine months before the best before date. And if you drink an energy drink after the best before date, you will not get sick. It only means that it won’t taste as good because the ingredients degrade by that point, and it will be flat.
However, since you know that energy drinks only last so long in your body and cause you to crash relatively quickly, you may want to know of some alternatives to keep you alert for longer times.
What Are Longer-Lasting Energy Drink Alternatives?
When you are prepping and hunting, the last thing you want to do is crash, which is why you will want to look into adding alternatives to energy drinks.
Drinking-Water
Drinking plenty of water will help you stay hydrated for staying active.
Powerful Meal Supplements
And you need the best type of protein and carbohydrates instead of too much caffeine. You can look for natural powerful meal supplements rich in protein, complex carbohydrates, and essential fatty acids if you are camping.
High in Protein
Otherwise, you will want to eat foods high in protein, such as
- dairy
- eggs
- poultry
- beef
- pork
and fish such as
- salmon
- nuts
- seeds
- legumes.
Carbohydrates
In addition, you will want to consume complex carbohydrates such as whole grains, vegetables, and fruits. Keep away from sugary foods such as junk food which are also high in trans fats, as they will cause you to crash too.
Green Tea
You can also drink plenty of green tea, yerba mate, and ginger root tea.
Snacks
Examples of great snacks to provide you with energy that will last longer are peanut butter on whole-grain toast or a banana-peanut butter smoothie.
You do not have to always rely on energy drinks since they don’t stay in your system for very long.
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Frequently Ask Questions (FAQs)
What are energy drinks?
- Energy drinks are beverages that typically contain caffeine, sugar, and other ingredients designed to provide a quick energy boost. They are often marketed as a way to increase alertness and combat fatigue.
What are the main ingredients in energy drinks?
- The primary ingredients in energy drinks include caffeine, sugar, and various stimulants. Some energy drinks also contain amino acids, vitamins, and herbal extracts.
How do energy drinks work?
- Energy drinks work by stimulating the central nervous system, primarily due to their caffeine content. This can lead to increased alertness and reduced feelings of fatigue.
Are energy drinks safe to consume?
- When consumed in moderation, energy drinks are generally considered safe for most people. However, excessive consumption can lead to health issues, including heart problems, sleep disturbances, and anxiety.
What are the potential side effects of energy drinks?
- Common side effects of energy drinks may include increased heart rate, jitteriness, nervousness, upset stomach, and difficulty sleeping. In extreme cases or with excessive consumption, more severe side effects can occur.
Are energy drinks suitable for children and teenagers?
- Most health experts recommend that children and teenagers avoid energy drinks due to their high caffeine and sugar content. These beverages can have a more significant impact on younger individuals and can lead to adverse health effects.
Can energy drinks be mixed with alcohol?
- Mixing energy drinks with alcohol is discouraged because it can mask the depressant effects of alcohol, leading to excessive drinking and potential alcohol poisoning. This combination can also have adverse health effects.
Can energy drinks improve athletic performance?
- Some athletes use energy drinks as a quick source of caffeine before workouts or competitions to enhance alertness and endurance. However, the effectiveness can vary, and it’s essential to use them cautiously and in moderation.
Do energy drinks have a recommended daily limit?
- There is no universally agreed-upon daily limit for energy drinks. However, it is advisable to consume them in moderation, and individuals should be aware of their own tolerance to caffeine.
Conclusion
When you are prepping, that takes a lot of juice, so, understandably, you would worry about how long the effects of energy drinks last in your system. You get the initial boost from these drinks, but you feel ready to crash after an hour or two.
How good is that for you if you need to be on your feet for much longer? There is no time to crash. That is why even though the energy drinks stay in your system for 12 hours, you feel the effects for one hour of consumption. There are higher-quality energy drinks that your body absorbs and metabolizes slower.
However, you will want to eat healthy foods and snacks to maintain the energy you need as alternatives at the end of the day.
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