Men\'s Health UK - 10.2019

SUPPLEMENT

LAB

ENERGY SHOTS

IS THIS THE QUICKEST WAY TO GET

AHEAD WITH YOUR TRAINING?

T

hose small bottles by the till swear they offer more than

just a jolt of energy. They’re packed with amino acids,

herbs and miracle compounds from the Amazon. It’s

all very “plant-based” and “enlightened” – buzzwords

that will help drive the energy drink market up to £67bn by 2025.

You’ll be wired from the caffeine, but do the other ingredients

make them healthier than a standard energy drink? From the

just trendy to the just might work, these are your best shots.

03

MORINGA

This trending green

supplement, from an edible

plant used as a food and

energy source in Sudan,

showed anti-fatigue

properties in rats that

were treading water. But

whether any benefits extend

to humans is pure conjecture

and, perhaps, unlikely. (For

more, see page 68.)

GOOD FOR

Looking very on trend – but

not necessarily very awake.

04

TAURINE

This amino acid – found in meat,

fish and dairy products – is

reputed to boost mental and

physical performance when

paired with caffeine. However,

the evidence for its efficacy

in humans isn’t convincing,

Roussell says. In one trial,

participants did worse on a

bike sprint using a combination

of caffeine and taurine.

GOOD FOR

People who place no stock in

efficacy trials. Flat-Earthers.

ROCKET FUEL OR

WASTE OF ENERGY?

We take aim at the next-gen superfood

shots to investigate whether they really

can turbocharge your training sessions

01

GUARANA

People in the Amazon

consume the seeds of this

fruit when they need a

pick-me-up. They contain four

to six times as much caffeine

as coffee beans, but the

effects may be even stronger:

“Guarana contains additional

bioactive compounds that

preliminary research suggests

might increase its stimulatory

effect beyond what you would

experience from just caffeine,”

says nutrition advisor Mike

Roussell. The label shows

how much of a jolt you’ll get,

so check that it’s not more

than you expect, or need.

GOOD FOR

When you really don’t need

to sleep any time soon.

02

YERBA MATE

Brewed into a tea from the

leaves and twigs of a type of

South American holly tree,

yerba mate contains caffeine

and antioxidants. In a small

study published in Nutrients

in 2017, people who had 2g

of it two hours before a

30-minute cycling session

reported increased energy,

focus and concentration.

However, Roussell points out

that caffeine can do that

without the antioxidants.

GOOD FOR

Feeling the effects of coffee

without the coffee taste.

PEPPERMINT “Peppermint activates

an area of the brain called the reticular

activating system,” which helps wake

you up, explains Dr Bryan Raudenbush.

His research found the smell of mint

alone made workers more alert.

A FEW MINUTES OF SKY SPORTS

Breaks can restore energy, but not if

you just get up and snack, says the

University of North Carolina’s Mike

Christian. Get a hit from dopamine by

watching an inspirational sports clip.

AVOID THE OFFICE DRONE

Christian also found shift workers who

talked to a worn-out colleague at the

start of their day performed worse.

“They were exposed to the idea that

today is going to suck,” he says.

MELLOW WAYS TO LEVEL UP

Had a terrible night’s sleep?

Try these natural hacks to

spike your energy, fast

MEN’S HEALTH 47

A

28

WAKE-UP

BOMBS

27

HOT

SHOTS

WORDS: BRITTANY RISHER | ILLUSTRATION: MICHAEL BYERS