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7 Best Energy Drinks For Running (Non-Stop)

Energy drinks from different brands
Energy drinks from different brands

Running is said to be a simple cardio exercise. It’s even considered the best exercise by a lot of people because it doesn’t require any equipment, and it’s a skill every human knows.

Whether we’re training or taking a part in a race, we need a good boost to run faster for a long period.

These drinks can be a great choice to give you an extra edge in running, and you can feel their effects in 15 to 20 minutes after consuming them.

There are a lot energy drinks on the market that you can drink before a run. In this article, I’ll discuss the best energy drinks for running and a number of frequently asked questions about the matter.

What Should You Consider While Buying An Energy Drink?

  • Caffeine Content
  • Calories
  • Sugar Content

Caffeine

If you’re about to buy an energy drink, its best to check the labels first. This is most especially true for the caffeine content. This is because caffeine can be good or bad depending on the amount consumed.

If you’re about to buy an energy drink, its best to check the labels first. This is most especially true for the caffeine content. This is because caffeine can be good or bad depending on the amount consumed.

It’s usually found in tea, coffee, guarana, cola, and other products. It’s known for boosting mental alertness. It does have some other benefits as well.

Caffeine also improves physical endurance as well as driving performance. However, you shouldn’t consume too much of it to avoid some side effects. The most common side effects are:

  • sleeplessness
  • anxiety
  • digestive issues
  • fatigue
  • addiction
  • muscle breakdown
  • rapid heart rate

You might also experience frequent urination and urgency, something that might hamper your running.

But, how much caffeine can I consume per day?

An average adult, can consume up to 400mg of caffeine per day maximum without any complications. If you aren’t, it’s better for you to keep your caffeine consumption below the 200mg mark.

Watch this video to find out if caffeine really helps you during your run!

Does caffeine help you to run?

Sugar

Sugar is present in a lot of energy drinks to give them a sweet flavor. It can also work as a temporary energy booster.

The American Heart Association advises men to keep their sugar consumption below 36g per day. On the other hand, women should limit their consumption to 24g per day.

While you can consume sugar every now and then, you shouldn’t consume too much of it to stay on the safe side. If you overconsume sugar for a long time, you can end up with these problems:

  • high blood pressure
  • cardiovascular disease
  • weight gain
  • diabetes
  • acne

Apart from these, you can experience a sugar crash that can make you lethargic and tired.

Calories

The calorie amount of energy drinks is another factor that you can consider.

The energy you get from food or beverages can be counted in calories. If you’re an average adult, you should keep your daily calorie intake around 2000-2500 calories.

Nowadays, athletes keep an eye on their calorie intake to stay fit. That’s why no-calorie energy drinks are becoming popular day by day.

Those zero-calorie energy drinks can help you control your calorie intake and let you be in a better shape for running.

What Can You Drink Before A Run?

You can drink the following beverages before a run:

  • Water
  • Tea
  • Coffee
  • Sports Drinks
  • Energy Drinks
  • Beet Juice
  • Tart Cherry Juice

These beverages can help you maintain a high level of energy, and keep you hydrated throughout your run.

Now let’s get into the best energy drinks for running!

Best Energy Drinks For Running

Energy drinks
Energy drinks can help you to run
Energy DrinkCaffeine ContentSugar ContentCalories
Celsius100mg to 300mg0g10
Xyience176mg0g0
C4120mg to 300mg0g0
Aspire80mg0g0
Red Bull80mg27g110
Raze300mg0g0
Xtend Energy125mg0g0
Comparison between nutritional values of different energy drinks

Celsius Energy Drink

Cans of Celsius energy drink
Cans of Celsius energy drink

Celsius energy drink with its “Metaplus Proprietary Blend” can be a good option for you. There is a wide range of product lines to choose from including:

  • Celsius Originals
  • Celsius Stevia
  • Celsius On-the-Go
  • Celsius BCAAS
  • Celsius Heat

If you like to keep your caffeine intake around 200mg, you can try Celsius Originals, Stevia, or On-the-Go version. Celsius On-the-Go is the powdered version of the energy drink. If you’re a fan of powder energy drinks, you should definitely try this one.

Celsius BCAAS is the light caffeinated version of Celsius. It means it’s perfect for someone who’s not big on caffeine.

On the other hand, Celsius Heat is one of the strongest energy drinks on the market. If you can’t handle two to three cups of coffee per day, you shouldn’t try this one.

Xyience Energy Drink

Xyience energy drink is a sugar-free and calorie-free pre-workout. Each 16 fl. oz. can of Xyience contains around 176mg of caffeine. It also has energy-boosting ingredients like taurine, L-carnitine, and guarana.

While Xyience is a zero-sugar energy drink, artificial sweeteners give it a sweet flavor. It has some decent fruity flavors as well. You can try Frostberry Blast, Mango Guava, and Fruity Punch flavor of Xyience energy drink.

Xyience energy drink costs around $2 per 16 fl. oz. serving. You can do a bit of digging to find some great deals on Xyience online.

C4 Energy Drink

A can of C4 energy drink
A can of C4 energy drink

C4 energy drink also offers you to select suitable versions depending on your taste and caffeine need. Here are the versions of C4 that you can find on the market:

  • C4 Original
  • C4 Smart Energy
  • C4 Natural Zero
  • C4 Ultimate

You’ll be glad to know that all versions of C4 don’t contain any sugar or calories.

But, how do they give you energy? The energy in C4 energy drink is mostly from caffeine. The caffeine amount and ingredients vary depending on the product lines.

C4 energy drink includes a patented blend called “Explosive Performance Energy Blend”. This blend has ingredients like citrulline malate, CarnoSyn beta-alanine, and caffeine anhydrous. These ingredients can give you a boost to do your best in the run.

You can read more about C4 energy drink in this article that I’ve written.

Aspire Energy Drink

A can of Aspire energy drink
Orange Pineapple flavor of Aspire energy drink

If you’re looking for a lightly carbonated energy drink with a modest amount of caffeine, Aspire energy drink might the drink you need. It contains a bunch of natural ingredients, but only 80mg of caffeine.

If you drink a cup of coffee every day, then you can definitely consume Aspire to replace it. Aspire energy drink doesn’t have the bitterness of coffee.

This energy drink also has a lot of vitamins. If you’re going for a run, you’re about to use up a lot of essential vitamins. Therefore, these vitamins can help you a bit with vitamin deficiency.

However, you shouldn’t depend on an energy drink for essential vitamins. You should follow a diet that is rich in vitamins instead.

Red Bull Energy Drink

A can of Red Bull Energy Drink.
Red Bull Energy Drink

You should already know Red Bull as the most popular energy drink in the world. It doesn’t contain any out-of-the-ordinary ingredients but its perfect blend can provide you a stamina boost in your run.

Red Bull contains only 80mg of caffeine. However, it does have 27g of sugar, unlike other energy drinks on this list.

Its sugar content might be a little bit higher than the recommended amount for women. But you can use up the extra energy from sugar during your run.

While the caffeine content in Red Bull is moderate, its sugar content is pretty high. That’s why if you’re about to consume Red Bull, you should limit yourself to one serving per day.

Raze Energy Drink

Raze Energy Drink
Raze Energy Drink

Raze energy drink contains 300mg of caffeine.

You’ll be amazed to know that a strong energy drink like Raze doesn’t contain any sugar or calories. You’re likely to get the energy from ingredients like taurine, caffeine, and BCAAs.

The amount of taurine and BCAAs in Raze energy drinks is unspecified. For this reason, you can’t really tell how much BCAAs you’re getting from Raze energy drink.

Athletes and runners alike need a sufficient amount of BCAAs to maintain their healthy lifestyles.

Xtend Energy

Xtend Energy contains around 125mg of caffeine. This energy drink can be pretty good if you want to keep your caffeine intake low. An added bonus is that this energy drink has zero calories and sugar.

Xtend Energy has 7g of BCAAs which can help your muscles. It also helps you with energy, hydration, recovery, and performance.

It’s a viable option for those who want to train without worrying too much on the calorie intake they get from an energy drink.

What is the best drink for long run?

The best drink for a long run or endurance exercise is one that provides hydration, replenishes electrolytes, and supplies easily digestible carbohydrates for sustained energy. Water is essential for hydration, but for extended periods of physical activity, sports drinks or electrolyte beverages are beneficial.

Additionally, some athletes prefer consuming energy gels or sports drinks with carbohydrates to provide a quick source of energy during prolonged exercise. The choice of drink may vary depending on individual preferences, training goals, and tolerance to different beverages.

Do energy drinks help you run better?

Energy drinks contain caffeine and other stimulants that can provide a temporary boost in energy and focus. Some runners may find that consuming an energy drink before a run helps them feel more alert and enhances their motivation, particularly during shorter, high-intensity runs.

However, it’s essential to approach energy drink consumption with caution. While some runners may experience performance benefits, excessive caffeine intake can lead to negative side effects like increased heart rate, nervousness, and gastrointestinal discomfort.

The Bottom Line

Running is a great way to be fit, and you don’t even need any equipment. You can just get out and run as much as you can.

Energy drinks contain caffeine, taurine, BCAAs, vitamins, and minerals that can enable you to run faster for a longer duration. Energy drinks can also give you the boost and energy to stay powered through marathons or even as a part of your exercise routine.

You should take a few sips of energy drinks instead of gulping them down at once before your run. This way, you can utilize the energy from the drink and do your best.

Of course, you need to stay hydrated during your run. Water is the best beverage you can drink before, during, and after your run.

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