Best Energy Drinks For Diabetics
Energy drinks are generally associated with high caffeine and sugar content, which might be true in some cases. This might lead you to think that energy drinks are not an option for diabetics at all.
But this is not true.
According to the American Diabetes Association, people with diabetes can still consume sugar, the condition is that it should be consumed within a limit and balanced with a healthy diet and exercise.
This means diabetics can consume energy drinks that contain little to no amount of sugar or has artificial sweeteners. However, it is important to check with your doctor before you incorporate it into your diet.
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Does Caffeine Affect Blood Sugar?
Caffeine does affect blood sugar levels. This varies for each individual depending on their age, body type, and sensitivity to caffeine.
Caffeine works by blocking the production of adenosine. Since adenosine influences the amount of insulin your body produces, this can cause an increase in blood sugar levels for those who are diabetic.
Various studies have shown that caffeine tends to reduce insulin sensitivity. This means that it does not absorb as much sugar from your bloodstream resulting in an imbalance in blood glucose levels.
If you are type-2 diabetic, this might result in health complications since your body already resists the proper use of insulin.
For diabetics, these conditions are likely to occur by consuming more than 200mg of caffeine. But this can vary from person to person. Therefore constant check of your blood sugar levels and advice from your dietician will help you understand better.
Can Diabetics Consume Sugar?
Diabetics can consume sugar but they need to consume it in a limited amount.
Sugar is found naturally in fruits and vegetables so cutting off sugar intake completely from your diet is not an option nor is it necessary.
Sugar does not cause type 1 diabetes but it is considered one of the many factors that can result in type 2 diabetes.
In both cases, you must limit your sugar intake according to what you are advised by your doctor. Excess sugar consumption can easily result in diabetic complications such as nerve damage and stroke.
For healthy adults, AHA recommends a daily sugar intake of 24g for women and 36g for men. However, for diabetics, these numbers are much lower and vary with each individual.
Do Artificial Sweeteners Raise Blood Sugar?
Artificial sweeteners are used as sugar substitutes in most sugar-free products. They provide low calories and carbohydrates and therefore are called free foods.
Artificial sweeteners are often sweeter than table sugar and therefore only a small amount is enough to balance the taste and flavor.
They do not raise blood sugar levels and are considered safe to consume for diabetics.
However long-term effects of artificial sweeteners are still unknown therefore, regular consumption should be avoided.
Which Sugar Substitutes Are Good For Diabetes?
Low to zero-calorie sweeteners are considered safe for consumption if you are diabetic as they do not affect the blood sugar levels. But this is not true for all artificial sweeteners.
There are still debates on the impact of artificial sweeteners in the long run.
You can use the following sugar substitutes if you are diabetic
- Stevia or stevia products such as Truvia
- Tagatose
- Monk fruit extract
- Coconut palm sugar
- Date sugar
- Sugar alcohols, such as erythritol or xylitol
Before consuming a product it is important that you go through its ingredient label and check with your dietician if you have any concerns.
Do Artificial Sweeteners Make Diabetes Worse?
Various studies link the consumption of artificial sweeteners to weight gain. Weight management is essential if you are diabetic since it helps control blood sugar levels well.
Some artificial sweeteners can increase cravings for sweets and can lead to overeating. Excess weight gain can result in various other health issues like increased risk of heart and liver diseases.
Artificial sweeteners require moderate consumption to maintain a healthy body. Therefore, depending entirely on artificial sweeteners can put your health at risk.
Make sure you consult your doctor before making any changes to your diet.
Are Energy Drinks Good For Diabetics?
Energy drinks with zero-calorie, zero-sugar, and moderate caffeine are safe to consume for diabetics.
Energy drinks are a great source of instant mental and physical boost. When you feel low and tired, energy drinks can help you get back your energy within no time.
But can you drink energy drinks if you are diabetic?
Yes! The key is going for energy drinks that contain zero calories, are sugar-free, and contain less than 200mg of caffeine.
Fortunately, there are quite a few options available in the market as energy drink brands now tend to focus on formulating drinks that do not affect health negatively.
Can Diabetics Have Sugar-Free Energy Drinks?
Diabetics can drink Sugar-Free energy drinks.
Even though diabetics can consume sugar in a limited amount but going for a sugar-free drink instead is a better option.
However, sugar-free energy drinks often contain an unknown amount of artificial sweeteners. Therefore, it is necessary to limit your consumption to one can in a day.
Avoid consuming sugar-free energy drinks daily as excess consumption of artificial sweeteners can cause weight gain.
Can Energy Drinks Cause Type 2 Diabetes?
Energy drinks can be an indirect factor that increases the chances of type 2 diabetes. But it is not a direct cause.
Even though sugar is not directly linked to type 2 diabetes, it is considered one of the factors that can increase the risk of developing this condition.
Consumption of a high amount of sugar can cause weight gain. This increases the sensitivity to insulin in the body.
Some studies also suggest that consumption of fructose causes fatty liver which results in localized insulin resistance.
Since energy drinks usually contain a high amount of sugar, it can be said that energy drinks can increase the risks of type 2 diabetes. But it is not directly caused by energy drinks.
Is Red Bull Safe For Diabetics?
Red Bull Energy drink contains 27g of sugar in a 260ml can making it not suitable for diabetics.
The original Red Bull is an effective energy source but it can very easily spike blood sugar levels.
However, the zero-sugar version of Red Bull is safe to consume. It contains 80mg of caffeine, zero sugar, and zero calories.
Best Energy Drinks For Diabetics
Here is a list of energy drinks that contain a moderate amount of caffeine and zero sugar, completely suitable for the diabetic gang!
| Energy Drinks | Caffeine content | Total Sugar | Calories |
| XS Energy drink | 80 | 0 | 10 |
| Celsius | 200 | 0 | 10 |
| Monster Energy Zero Ultra Energy Drink | 140 | 0 | 0 |
| Red Bull Total Zero | 80mg | 0 | 0 |
| Xyience Energy Drink | 176 | 0 | 0 |
| Zipfizz | 100 | 0 | 20 |
XS Energy Drink
XS Energy drink is suitable for diabetics as it has only 10 calories, The caffeine content is only 80 mg therefore diabetics can consume one can in a day. And there is no added sugar so it is safe to drink.
Celsius
Celsius has a fairly high caffeine content of 200 mg, therefore, diabetics should not consume a full can in a day however it has only 10 calories without any added sugar therefore a smaller amount is fairly safe to consume for diabetics.
Monster Energy Zero Ultra Energy Drink
Monster Zero has zero calories and 140 mg of caffeine. Since the caffeine content is high, it should be restricted to just one can. Diabetics can drink without any fear as there is no added sugar.
Red Bull Total Zero
Red Bull is the most popular energy drink brand, luckily for diabetics, the drink has a sugar-free version that contains zero calories without any added sugar and only 80 mg of caffeine.
Xyience Energy Drink
Xyience has zero calories and 176 mg of caffeine. Since the caffeine content is high, it is important to drink only half a can in a day. It is safe to consume for diabetics as it is sugar-free.
Zipfizz
Zipfizz is a powdered energy drink that has only 20 calories with zero sugar and only 100 mg of caffeine, it is fairly safe for diabetics.
Final Verdict
The industry of energy drinks is ever-expanding and thankfully there are now various options available for people who are diabetics.
With an energy drink that has moderate caffeine (ideally under 200mg), zero sugar, and low calories, you can get the required energy boost without worrying about your blood sugar levels.
It is important that you go through the ingredients label before consuming just to make sure everything is good to go.
Since sugar-free energy drinks usually contain various active ingredients and artificial sweeteners, whose impact on blood sugar levels is unknown, it is best if you avoid regular consumption.
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