The Use Of Energy Drink Supplements In The Military And Other High-Stress Occupations
Recently, there has been renewed interest in the use of energy drink supplements in the military and other high-stress occupations. Researchers at the U.S. Army Public Health Command led by Colonel Cara Egerdahl studied servicemen and women between 2004 and 2008 to see how effective caffeine is for increasing performance for soldiers under stressful conditions when combined with a nutrient rich diet. They found that “positive effects on performance tasks were noted with caffeine administration. You can get your energy drinks here https://www.muscleandfitness.com/supplements/best-energy-drinks/.
Caffeine increases performance, especially in high-stress situations
The most common use of energy drinks is to increase energy and alertness during the day. Many large companies provide their employees with free or reduced-price energy drinks throughout the day in order to maintain a high level of productivity. Proponents believe that the increased alertness and energy creates a competitive advantage for users over those who do not consume them. One company, for example, reported sales increases when they added high concentrations of caffeine to their drinks.
The effects on performance are generally short-lived
The effects of energy drinks on performance are relatively short-lived. A study by David Klockgether, et al., found that the effect of caffeine on endurance performance was limited within one hour after consumption. Subjects who took extra energy drinks experienced a drop in both power output and time to exhaustion. The decline in either output occurred even with the consumption of a high amount of caffeine.
Caffeine can also contribute to feeling anxious and jittery
In addition to its stimulating effects, caffeine can also contribute to feelings of anxiety, jitteriness and irritability. One study by J. Festa and colleagues found that the consumption of caffeine can increase anxiety scores from pre-testing to post-testing in men with high caffeine consumption. Although the researchers did not find any relationship between caffeine consumption and sleep quality, the findings do indicate that energy drinks may have an effect on mood.
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