From DOTA2 to League of Legends and beyond, a selected group of health experts have revealed the best energy drink alternatives to reap the same performance-enhancing benefits without the buzz-killing after-effects.
Energy drinks are popular beverages meant to improve energy levels, alertness and concentration during elite gaming. But the side effects can have negative effects on one’s health, research has linked drinking energy drinks to chronic health issues, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes and kidney disorders.
With this in mind, as part of the Ultimate Esport Index, the team at SlotsUp has shared a foolproof guide to energy drink alternatives for natural healthy energy.
If the research piques your interest and is something you’d like to use, please credit SlotsUp using this link: https://www.slotsup.com/blog/ultimate-esports-index
Switch to a herbal or green tea
We’re all about boosting peak gaming performance, fueling our bodies to unleash our full potential. But what’s the best way to do it? Herbal tea contains high levels of caffeine which boost your energy levels, with the added benefit of substances to improve your health.
Dr Ahmed Zayed from Drugwatcher says “Green tea is a natural alternative. While the drink has an acquired taste, it’s still a good option for enhancing cognition and focus, while also boosting energy.” Green tea is one of the best alternatives for high-sugar energy drinks as it contains antioxidants and minerals that are beneficial for your health and diet while gaming.
Add coconut water to your diet
Rather than getting your energy boost along with a host of preservatives and additives, including sugar and synthetic vitamins found in common energy drinks, reach for the coconut water in it’s purest form.
Nutrition Counselor John Fawkes says “Coconut water contains natural electrolytes plus a healthy dose of the vitamin potassium. That combination can help you stay feeling hydrated and energized, not to mention is connected with other health benefits like lower blood pressure and heart health.”
Naturally refreshing, coconut water has a sweet, nutty taste that has fewer calories, less sodium and more potassium than any energy drink. There are many other ways to enjoy the refreshing ingredient, you can add it to your favourite iced coffee, overnight oats or smoothie.
Have a mid-morning boost of matcha
Relying on energy drinks for a dose of get-up and go can affect your health, the high levels of caffeine can cause insomnia, increased heart rate and elevated blood pressure. Studies of matcha and its components have revealed a variety of benefits, showing how it can protect the liver, promote healthy heart rate and even aid weight loss.
Dietitian at Balance One Supplements added “Matcha can be a great alternative for energy drinks. The L-theanine in matcha is known to improve brain health which shows itself through improved memory, attention, and reaction time. The caffeine content also helps to improve these aspects of brain function and more.”
Research has found that several components in matcha can help improve attention, reactive time, learning and memory, making it the ideal energy drink replacement for elite gamers.
Kick start the day with a protein shake
How do we tackle a lack of energy? Well, if you’re like 68% of adolescents and 30% of adults, chances are you’ll grab an energy drink. But caffeine is not the only way our bodies can produce energy, one of the most common causes of fatigue is lack of protein.
A high-quality protein can provide your body with the nutrients it needs to keep you active while gaming. There are tuns of available liquid and powdered substances that can provide you with the energy you need, we suggest finding products made from natural ingredients.
Add vitamin supplements to your diet
While vitamin supplements won’t give you a kick like caffeine, they are essential for your body to produce natural energy. Clinical Herbalist Maria Christodoulou suggests,
“I recommend adaptogenic and mineral-rich herbs, which help the body deal with stress and provide the body nutrients that become depleted from working so much.
For those using the computer during the lockdown and are feeling the strain on the body, several herbs can help ashwagandha, tulsi (holy basil), Shatavari, nettles, red clover, and milky oats.”
Getting the recommended amount of vitamins each day is an important part of nutrition and helps to improve health, energy and concentration. Findings show that B vitamins help to promote healthy metabolism, making them the ideal supplement for gamers who are seeking a natural energy booster.
“If this is not your cup of tea, try making a green smoothie. Mix some kale, parsley, and spinach. This loads you up with B vitamins, protein, and other nutrients that help to boost your energy.”Says Dr Ahmed Zayed.
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