Did you know? GreenEyedGuide-Blogspot now GreenEyedGuide.com

We've Moved!

GreenEyedGuide is now blogging exclusively from GreenEyedGuide.com!

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Caffeine in Workout Supplements and the 5 Levels of Fatigue

In this presentation I will be covering the effects of caffeine when it's consumed before, during, or after a workout. I will also talk about how the Five Levels of Fatigue helps people determine which caffeine products (if any) are right for them. In essence, my Five Levels of Fatigue system helps people avoid caffeine toxicity and dependency because it teaches them tricks for matching how tired they are with how much caffeine they really need. For gym rats and athletes, knowing how to use the Five Levels of Fatigue keeps them from using caffeine after a grueling workout when what the body REALLY needs is rest (not caffeine).


Support Green-Eyed Guide on Patreon for $1! [click here]

RESOURCES:

http://greeneyedguide.com/2015/03/12/energy-drink-of-the-month-march-2015/ ; http://www.caffeineinformer.com/the-caffeine-database ;
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EVUGB58 ;

7 Reasons why THIS BLOG is moving to GreenEyedGuide.com

Hello friends and followers!

As you may have noticed, I maintain two blogs: GreenEyedGuide.com, and this one. For a long time now I've been linking the two so that no matter whether you follow that blog or this one, you never missed an Energy Drink of the Month, Food Science in the News or Day in the Life of a Food Scientist post. As of December 2015, I will cease to link the two; in fact, I'll only be posting articles on GreenEyedGuide.com.

The Day in the Life of a Food Scientist series was previously posted on this blog, with only the links to the articles posted on the GreenEyedGuide.com site. As of December 2015, all future articles in that series will be exclusively posted on the GreenEyedGuide.com site. I will keep this (blogspot) blog up and running to allow access to past articles, but I will not be posting any new content or links to new content here.

Okay, but why?

The day I woke up and realized that a blog would help me share my food science tips and insight, Blogger was the first site I found that would make that dream a reality. Through this blogger site, I became the "Green-Eyed Guide", guiding people to see the world the way I do through these green eyes.

It was VERY user friendly and thus an easy start to what I consider my adventure to become more tech-savvy. I never would have imagined I'd come this far. Granted, I am still a novice in many aspects: I have no idea how people make those videos like "RKO outta nowhere", and I just yesterday learned how to make my very first infographic.

As Sam Seaborn once said, "...let's forget the fact that you're coming a little late to the party and embrace the fact that you showed up at all."

via GIPHY

While I still have much to learn, I'm happy to reflect on how I went from not knowing anything about blogs, and from purposely obtaining from (even mocking) Twitter, to strategically managing the following:

1. This GreenEyedGuide.blogspot.com blog -- for all things energy drinks and food science PLUS my "Day in the Life of a Food Scientist / Quality Professional" series
   ...
2. My main blog, GreenEyedGuide.com -- for all things food science and energy drinks PLUS links and references to all third-party blogs I write for (including FitGurus, Scientific Parent, Food Dive, and now even BROBIBLE!)
   ...
3. A YouTube Channel -- for my workout demos and Green-Eyed Insight videos, such as the one below:
   
4. My Tumblr account -- which allows me to follow Professor John Coupland's blog, "Chemicals in My Food", and to document my progress toward competing in my first NPC Figure competition in March 2016.
   ...
5. My Instagram account -- which helps me stay inspired as I train for said NPC Figure Competition
   ...
6. My beloved Twitter account. How foolish I was to mock Twitter before when now I rely on my Twitter account to engage with all my followers from all realms GreenEyedGuide, and to post links to all my content from all the sources and outlets above.
   ...
7. My FitGurus page -- where I previously posted FULL, FREE workouts complete with rep recommendations, form corrections, and 30 second demos.
   ***NOTE - I am no longer working with FitGurus due to time constraints and a renewed focus on my writing opportunities with third-parties (see #2, above)***

All this in addition to my full-time job, where I am pleased to share that my adventures into the world of becoming more tech-savvy have helped me find a role as Quality Systems Manager (#ILoveSharePoint #OragleAgilePLM...#notsomuch)

BOTTOM LINE
I hope you follow me to GreenEyedGuide.com so we can continue to discuss energy drinks and food science. Nothing personal to Blogger or to those who prefer Blogger to WordPress, I'm just cutting back some of my commitments.

Thank you all, 

GreenEyedGuide 

Energy Drink of the Month - Nov 2015: Sugar Free Energy Drink Comparison feat. Spider Energy, Rockstar and Monster

In this post, we take a close look at the ingredients in sugar free Spider Energy in comparison to similar products from Monster Energy and Rockstar Energy. Our deep-dive comparison includes the ingredients used, their function, and whether any of these are better for people trying to avoid certain ingredients.

Sugar Free Energy Drink Comparison: Spider Energy, Rockstar Energy, and Monster Energy

What We're Comparing

• Ingredient Line Deep Dive
  • Which ingredients are used and why?
  • How similar are the ingredients?
    
• Bottom Line and Biggest Differences
  • Are any of them better or worse for people trying to avoid certain ingredients?

Ingredient Line Deep Dive includes:

• Ingredient Order
• Caffeine Content
• Vitamin Dosage
• Other Actives (ginseng, guarana, carnitine, etc.)
• Sweetness Profile
• Other Ingredients (colors, thickeners, preservatives, etc.)

Thank you all!

Kids and Energy Drinks -- Green-Eyed Guide on The Scientific Parent

How concerned do parents need to be about the use of energy drinks in kids and teens? In the Green-Eyed Guide guest blog on The Scientific Parent, we review the three major details often left out of these conversations on caffeine, and how these details can dramatically boost our efforts to keep ourselves and our kids healthy and safe.

From: http://thescientificparent.org/kids-and-energy-drinks-3-things-every-parent-should-know/

Everything Wrong with the BroBible Article on Energy Drinks

BroBible may be have expert insights on some matters, but their article on energy drinks proves biology and food science isn't in their wheelhouse. Here's the point-counterpoint to all the misleading statements in their article:

Read more -->

Energy Drink (Alternative) of the Month - September 2015

I’ve been reviewing the Energy Drink of the Month for over two years now and each month I’ve appointed a product that beats the stereotype. For the first time, I am compelled by nerdy fascination to nominate something non-liquid for this award.

The Energy Drink (alternative) for the Month of September is EliteOps Energy Strips.

Thus far, only Fierce Arctic Mint flavored strips are available, but this product is brand-new! As of this review, the product is available online, in South Florida, and is scheduled to launch nationally in October 2015.
To truly appreciate this product, let’s review (1) The Brand and Its Values; (2) Who and what this is for and (3) What’s in it. 

Read More -->

Year's Reflection on Energy Drink of the Month -- YEAR TWO

Though some media outlets continue to paint all energy drinks with the same brush, the number of "energy drinks in disguise" is growing. Unless you're at an airport, it's getting easier to find an energy drink with less-than-extreme amounts of caffeine, no sugar, and no artificial colors or ingredients. You might even know someone who's tried to sell you an energy drink that can only be found online [buyer beware].
With the number of energy options increasing, it's growing more important to learn what distinguishes one energy drink from another. Through every Energy Drink of the Month post, we review the tools you need to consume caffeine safely, and discuss how to tell if an energy drink is right for you -- as in YOUR lifestyle and diet goals, and YOUR current energy needs or "Level of Fatigue".

Energy Drink of the Month -- A Year's Reflection

Caffeine Consumption in the USA - Part III: The best way to measure caffeine intake

Imagine you took a poll how many Americans eat salad, and you included potato salad, chicken salad, and fruit salad in the "salad category". Now imagine you classified potato salad and Caesar salad as different types or "brands" of salad, then re-calculated how many Americans really eat salad. How different do you think the numbers would be?

A study recently published in the Journal of Food and Chemical Toxicology sought to answer this "brand-method" versus "category-method" question, but for caffeine consumption.With Green-Eyed Insight, we'll review what they discovered, and what it all means. (Read more -->)

Green-Eyed Guide featured on Fit Gurus -- July 2015

I'm excited to announce I've been invited to write for Fit Gurus. Here's what we've been talking about on FitGuru.com lately:

When Energy Drinks Dress Up Like Workout Supplements

Part I: Pre- and During Exercise supplements

Energy drinks may have started as highly caffeinated soda wannabes, but now there are energy drinks that resemble herbal teas, some that resemble bottled water, and some that resemble workout supplements. The evolution of the energy drink market is like the transformation of the 5K (back in my day we just ran; there was no mud, glow sticks or colored dust involved). Yet for every sport, there are limitations, and caffeine is no different. Does caffeine belong in a pre-, during- or post-workout supplement?

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Part II: Post-exercise supplements

Energy drinks are evolving, and many big name brands have come out protein-caffeine combinations that walk the line between energy drink and workout supplement. Caffeine may have a place in your daily routine, but does it belong in your workout supplement regimen? In Part I, we discussed the benefits and limitations of including caffeine in a pre- or during-workout supplement. In Part II, we evaluate the pros and cons of including caffeine in a post-workout supplement.

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Don’t Play Favorites — Caffeine, Drop Sets, and the 5 Levels of Fatigue 

When I tell people I wrote a book on energy drinks, they often ask, “What’s your favorite?” But picking a favorite energy drink is like choosing what shoes I’m going to wear: it depends on where I’m going, what I’m doing, my mood, and the rest of my outfit. The secret to finding the best energy drink for your body is just like choosing what exercise to do at the gym: it depends on your goals, schedule, fitness level, and what’s available in terms of space or equipment. (read it here -->)

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Food Science and Traveling: 5 Convention/Expo Essentials

I don’t always travel for work, but when I do, I always have five essentials. These five items ensure I don’t get stuffed up, bloated, undernourished, or worse, hangry. When I don’t have room in my luggage, I know I can find these five essentials almost anywhere my travels take me. Better yet, I know I can take these five essentials anywhere because they don’t require refrigeration or cooking. (read it here -->)

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 Thanks for your support! Did you know I also post full workout plans on FitGurus.com?

    

 

From Food Insight TV, this video reviews the basics of caffeine: Natural sources; Caffeine consumption breakdown (how much of the US population consumes caffeine, and from what sources); Why moderation is so important; and the maximum dosage recognized as safe for adults.

Additional Resources:

• Caffeine: Facts, Usage, and Side Effects

Caffeine Informer reviews the sources and chemical structure of caffeine, in addition to a review of caffeine's positive and negative effects

• Caffeine Consumption in the USA

How many Americans consume caffeine on a daily basis, and where do they get this caffeine from? This study involving over 40,000 people breaks down consumption patterns by source and age.

• Open Letter to Time Regarding Energy Drink Article in the "Answer Issue"

The Time "Answer Issue" article on energy drinks is missing three crucial statistics. Green-Eyed Guide discusses these missing statistics in a plea to Time magazine to reconsider the perspective.

• Are You a Monster or a Rock Star: A Guide to Energy Drinks -- How They Work, Why They Work, How to Use Them Safely

Discover the key factors that make energy drinks safe or unsafe. Meet the 20 most common ingredients found in energy drinks and learn the basic science to how they work. With this guide and the "Levels of Fatigue" outlined within, anyone can learn the tools for determining which energy drink (IF ANY!) are right for his or her lifestyle and diet goals.

Energy Drink of the Month -- July 2015: Hiball Energy Coffee

Succeeding in the energy drink market can be both challenging and liberating: while it's challenging for a brand to overcome negative perceptions associated with energy drinks, there's freedom and possibility in developing a novel energy blend with a unique flavor and sweetness profile. However, in developing an energy drink that more closely resembles coffee than soda, there are a whole new set of challenges. People can be rather particular about how their coffee tastes, and a quick glance at a coffee flavor wheel demonstrates the multitude of different flavor characteristics available. How do you develop a product that pleases both energy drink consumers and coffee drinkers alike?

The Energy Drink of the Month for July 2015 is Hiball Energy coffee
Read the rest --> 

Open letter to Time regarding energy drink article in "The Answer Issue"

Greetings Ms Nancy Gibbs and Time Staff,
Normally, I find Time Magazine articles engaging and insightful but the article "Energy drinks have doctors worried—but business is booming" by Ms. Alexandra Sifferlin was severely disappointing.

As a food scientist who's studied energy drinks for over 10 years, Ms Sifferlin's article came across as yet another "all energy drinks are lethal" story. While the article was missing many crucial facts, there were three points in particular that should be part of the conversation.
READ MORE -->

Energy Drink of the Month -- June2015: Spider Energy Mimic

I'm a sucker for puns, platitudes, alliterations and bold, symmetrical logos. This month's pick has it all. Moreover, summer is the best time to try new things, whether it's exploring a new city or sampling new food. This month's pick is a drink I wouldn't normally choose, for reasons I'll explain later, but I just HAD to try it, for reasons I'll explain later. 

The Energy Drink of the Month for June 2015 is Spider Energy Mimic 

Learn (1) What's in it and why, (2) Who and what is this for, (3) What's special about Spider Energy, and (MOST OF ALL) why this energy drink is not for everyone (meaning not for all energy drink consumers):
 Green-Eyed Insight on Spider Energy here -->

 

Comments on BevNet's "From Wild to Mild" article on energy drink marketing

Finally, an article that talks more about the "energy drinks in disguise" than the doom-and-gloom ("All Energy Drinks are Lethal") perspective.

I love how this article covers much of the nuances around the changing market of energy drinks. For example, Hi-Ball's coffee editions are a great example of an energy drink brand crossing over into new markets, but Monster and Rockstar are also trying to reach a new target audience with their Muscle Monster and Rockstar Protein editions, respectively. It's fascinating to watch the evolution of energy drinks.

Even more exciting is the variety of new "energy drinks in disguise", like Runa or Avitae Caffeinated Water. Both of these products were featured on GreenEyedGuide's Energy Drink of the Month series, and exemplify cleaner versions to the stereotypical energy drink. I hope those brands do start to creep up in sales, and pop up in more gas stations and convenience stores. 

More importantly, I hope those cleaner brands and energy drink cross-overs will start to decrease the number of news articles that read along the lines of "(All) energy drinks are deadly." (See the recent NY Times article  ***and also see the the GreenEyedGuide RANT1 and RANT 2 on how the energy drink G-Fuel is targeting gamers).

Energy Drink of the Month -- May 2015 Celsius

Based on recalls, litigation, adverse event reports, and consumer complaints, some of the riskiest product categories are energy drinks, weight-loss supplements and sexual health products. If you thought energy drinks got a lot of scrutiny in the press and by politicians, just image the pressure for a product that is both an energy drink and a weight loss supplement. For those on quests to become more informed consumers, examining such a product is a wonderful, often enlightening exercise. Moreover, May is the perfect month to examine such a product for two reasons: students are more likely to try new caffeinated products as they try to cram for finals; and figure-conscious individuals may be more likely to try a product they believe will help them reclaim their beach-ready body for summer. A product that is both an energy drink and a weight-loss product fulfills both types of curiosity.

The Energy Drink of the Month for May 2015 is Celsius Raspberry Acai Green Tea.

THREE-SIXTY DEGREES CELSIUS — Honest Product Review from Food Scientist, Gym Rat, Caffeine Aficionado

To read the FIVE POINTS OF PRAISE and FIVE BURNS (negative points) --> click here

Energy Drink of the Month -- April 2015

It's not even fair to call this an energy drink, because it's the purest, simplest, cleanest energy drink possible. It's not fair because all the worry and legislation over the dangers of energy drinks can't possibly apply to a product like this. This really shouldn't be called an energy drink , and yet, this "energy drink in disguise" is exactly that.

With a nod to Earth Day (and the growing concern regarding California's water crisis), the Energy Drink of the Month is flavored, caffeinated water by Avitae.

Pronounced “ah-vee-tay”, Avitae’s line of caffeinated waters is perfect for consumers who want their caffeine without added sugars or artificial colors/flavors.
Last year, Avitae's President and CEO was gracious enough to answer some quality and food science questions I had about the non-flavored products (read that Q&A here). This year, Mr Norman Snyder was gracious enough to again grant me an interview to discuss the new flavors.

5 MORE Questions with Norman E. Snyder, President & CEO of Avitae USA, LLC (click here)

Chemophobia Case Study -- Swish 4 Energy Review

An energy drink you’re not supposed to swallow? I had to check this out for myself. This was an opportunity to experiment with something novel, and yet, this experience was something many consumers encounter at one point or another — suspicion of unfamiliar chemicals and ingredients.

Become a Smarter, Safer Supplement Shopper in 3 Steps (read the full blog on GreenEyedGuide.com here ---> 

Swish4Energy Main Site: http://swish4energy.com/  
GreenEyedGuide review at http://greeneyedguide.com/2015/04/06/chemophobia-case-study-swish-energy-review/

Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee's Two Cents on Energy Drinks and Caffeine

Energy drinks are in the news again, but it's not for any new reason. Too much caffeine is not good for anyone, but that you already knew. With the new Dietary Guidelines proposed by the DGAC comes a renewed warning that energy drinks can be dangerous. But is the DGAC focusing on the right message? Yes, and no.

 

First, some background on caffeine and energy drink consumption
A massive study published in 2014 showed that 85% of the American population consumes at least one caffeinated beverage per day, but only 10% of that group gets their caffeine from energy drinks. In this study, teenagers and young adults are the biggest proportion of energy drink consumers, but still, less than 10% of tweens, teens and young adults get their caffeine from this source (about 70% get their caffeine from carbonated soft drinks). Teens who use energy drinks consume on average 60 mg caffeine per day, which is under the 100mg limit for adolescents proposed by the American Academy of Pediatrics. For age groups 6-12 and 18-24 there weren’t enough energy drink consumers to calculate intake averages, but the total amount of caffeine (from all sources) consumed by those under 18 is still under this 100mg limit. -- read the rest of the recap on this massive study here: "Caffeine Consumption in the USA"

The DGAC got it right when they said...

The committee said moderate coffee consumption may be incorporated into a healthy diet, but high caffeine intake, or greater than 400 mg per day for adults, may occur with the rapid consumption of large-size energy drinks.

The D.G.A.C. recommended limited or no consumption of high caffeine drinks, or other products with high amounts of caffeine, for children and adolescents. The committee said energy drinks should not be consumed with alcohol.
----Excerpted from the Food Business News article, "DGAC puts energy drinks back in the spotlight"

The DGAC echoes the recommendations of the First International Energy Drinks Conference at Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria, Australia. That committee recommended the following:

From "D.G.A.C. puts energy drinks back in the spotlight" by Keith Nunes

 

Lingering concerns
I fervently agree with the DGAC committee and the recommendations of the First International Energy Drinks Conference: mixing caffeine (from any source) and alcohol is a bad idea. Caffeine Informer has already summarized all the reasons why this combo is bad (see here). So let's discuss the gray areas instead.
Many conclude that the energy drink situation is a result of regulatory failure, and that more laws and bans are the answer. Some legislators have already tried that, but as I've pointed out in previous posts, this strategy has a low success rate.
The problem lies in the sheer variety of products marketed as an "energy drink". Some of these don't even have caffeine -- vitamin B12 is the most popular energy drink ingredient.  (See "Ten Things No One is Telling You About Energy Drinks")


As I commented on the Food Business News article:

While I agree with the Key Policy Changes outlined above, it's important to note that the top-selling energy drink is Red Bull, which features 80mg caffeine per 8oz can. the next top selling, Monster and Rockstar have not more than 240mg per can. YES, the Super-Sized cans are disconcerting, but more energy and focus (pun intended) should be placed on the combination of caffeine and alcohol than on demonizing a particular brand. Furthermore, when popular coffee drinks include more caffeine than popular energy drinks, an energy drink ban for minors seems illogical. Too much caffeine is too much, regardless of whether it comes in a cup, mug or can.

-- GreenEyedGuide

For more Food Science in the News articles: visit this page
Don’t miss any food science or caffeine related posts — follow GreenEyedGuide on Twitter and Like the Energy Drink Guide on Facebook

Energy Drink of the Month -- March 2015

It's an energy drink so powerful, just looking at it will get you pumped.
I always get excited when I come across a new energy drink, but when it's by a company I have never heard of, that excitement is interwoven with suspicion and hesitancy. Though I am cautiously optimistic by nature, I am a scientist; I am trained to ask several questions before I form an opinion. All that hesitancy flies out the door when it comes to new flavors from a brand I know and trust. In this case, I didn't even have to open the can to feel hyper.


The Energy Drink of the Month for March 2015 is a tie between Red Bull Total Zero Cherry and Orange Editions.
 

Yellow Edition also shown here BUT that product's sugar content is too high for my preference

Three Reasons Red Bull is the Best Pick for Caffeine Awareness Month  (-->>keep reading)