Nutraceuticals in energy drinks, foods
March 20th, 2011 - 6:38 pm ICT by IANSWashington, March 20 (IANS) Besides caffeine, there are many other items like nutraceuticals that are widely used in energy drinks and foods.
Nutraceutical is a term combining the words “nutrition” and “pharmaceutical”. It is a food or food product that provides health and medical benefits.
A new study by the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) takes a closer look at some of the current and up-and-coming ingredients being used in energy drinks and foods, the journal Food technology reports.
For instance, slow-digesting carbohydrates offer sustained energy benefits as they are derived from sucrose and are different from sugar because they release energy at a slower rate, according to an IFT statement.
Botanicals such as ginkgo biloba, ginseng, yerba mate and milk thistle are known to provide “natural” energy. Some other botanicals are:
* Green tea is a natural source of caffeine. Research indicates potential benefits of green tea extracts in areas such as energy expenditure, enhanced metabolism and fat oxidation.
* Nitrate-rich beetroot juice has the potential to increase exercise endurance.
* B Vitamins aid in the breakdown of carbohydrates into glucose, which provides energy, and the breakdown of fats and proteins.
* Vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine) functions as a cofactor in enzyme reactions, many of which are related to the metabolism of amino acids and other proteins.
* Vitamin B-12 plays a role in energy metabolism, Vitamin B-1 helps in the conversion of blood sugar to energy.
* L-Carnitine is important in supplying energy to many organs, such as the heart, muscles, liver, and immune cells.
It plays an essential role in the body for producing energy from fat, ensuring athletic endurance, promoting recovery after exercise, providing the heart and immune cells with energy, and preventing early onset of fatigue during exercise.
* Taurine is an amino acid that is used in popular beverages to increase energy. The combination of taurine and caffeine is believed to give energy drink consumers an energy buzz.
* Coenzyme Q10 plays a role in energy and endurance.
- Teens, stay away from energy drinks - Jan 19, 2012
- Weight loss supplements are no good - Mar 07, 2012
- Too much of sugar fuelling global obesity - Feb 02, 2012
- Keep kids away from energy drinks - May 30, 2011
- Milk compound keeps you slim despite lazy lifestyle - Jun 15, 2012
- High-fat diet lowers blood sugar in diabetics - May 13, 2012
- Soon: Pill that could mimic exercise effects - May 27, 2010
- A new drug to reverse diabetes? - Oct 05, 2011
- Protein, not sugar, key to keeping us alert and thin - Nov 17, 2011
- You can spice up meals with real vitamins, nutrients - Mar 27, 2012
- Government mulls curbs on junk food in schools - Jul 18, 2011
- Chocolate milk the best bet for post-exercise recovery - Jun 03, 2010
- 'Stop grazing, exercising and eat fatty foods' to lose those pounds! - Nov 08, 2010
- Boys get greater rush, more energy from caffeine than girls - Feb 19, 2011
- 2 glasses of milk a day keeps fat at bay in women - May 27, 2010
Tags: amino acids, athletic endurance, b vitamins, beetroot juice, benefits of green tea, breakdown of fats, energy benefits, energy drinks, energy metabolism, exercise endurance, ginkgo biloba, green tea extracts, heart muscles, immune cells, institute of food technologists, l carnitine, many other items, milk thistle, vitamin b 12, vitamin b 6