Latest news with #Kleiner
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Rev up your routine with the best energy drink of 2025, tested by a dietitian
In the mid-2000s, I was immersed in the energy drink industry, working for a major competitor to Red Bull. This was before the emergence of brands like Monster, Reign, GHOST and C4. I had unparalleled access to the best energy drinks, sampling innovative blends that ranged from the exceptionally potent to the pleasantly typical. Fast forward to today: The energy drink market has exploded, with revenue soaring from $73.81 billion in 2023 to a projected $133.35 billion by 2032. Consumers are increasingly seeking functional beverages for that extra boost. But with a plethora of options, how do you choose the right one and what exactly is an energy drink? Susan Kleiner, a performance dietitian, explains, "The energy drink category typically refers to beverages formulated to boost mental alertness, physical performance and energy levels. These drinks commonly contain caffeine as the primary active ingredient, often accompanied by other stimulants, vitamins (such as B vitamins), amino acids (like taurine), sugar or artificial sweeteners." And what about the new wave of functional or cognitive-enhancing energy drinks? "These beverages claim energy drink status yet are often caffeine-free and contain other nootropics or ingredients that enhance mental alertness," notes Kleiner, adding that some are "clean" and others not so much. Yet still, "the most common ingredient in energy drinks is caffeine," says Mike Murray, registered dietitian and researcher at With some energy drinks containing upwards of 400 milligrams of caffeine — the equivalent of almost five cups of coffee — it's easy to see why they're so popular. "Doesn't everyone want more energy, focus and mood? The promise is enticing," says Kleiner. However, an energy drink is just a bandage if you're not getting enough quality sleep. Before popping a can of energizing bubbly, focus on natural ways to increase energy. Chris Mohr, fitness and nutrition adviser at BarBend, explains that it's crucial to "prioritize quality sleep, stay hydrated, eat a balanced diet with lots of whole grains, proteins and healthy fats and include regular exercise in your routine to naturally increase and recover energy." Despite our best efforts, it isn't always easy to put these healthy lifestyle habits into practice. Busy schedules, midnight shifts, lack of work-life balance and mounting stress can all drain your energy. But you don't have to go full throttle right off the bat. Mohr suggests considering naturally caffeinated drinks like coffee or green tea, which contain antioxidants with a moderate caffeine boost. "Yerba mate or a glass of lemon water can also refresh you without excess sugar or any added ingredients. And caffeine-free herbal teas are great for an energy boost," he suggests. But if you're looking for a gentle — or not so gentle! — boost, where do you start? To help you select the best energy drinks for your needs, we consulted nutrition and industry experts to gain a better understanding of the different options available. As a registered dietitian, I combined their insights with my expertise to identify 19 brands and products worth testing. Each drink was evaluated based on taste, ingredients, nutrition profile and overall value. Read on to discover our picks of the 9 best energy drinks of 2025. A note on supplements The products included on this list are dietary supplements. Statements about these products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Dietary supplements are not appropriate for everyone and may interact with other supplements or medications, so talk to your healthcare provider before adding a dietary supplement to your routine. To make an informed purchase, it's important to understand the differences between the various types of energy drinks. Here's a quick breakdown of the most common categories: Traditional carbonated: These are the classic fizzy beverages designed to boost energy and alertness. They typically contain caffeine, sugar and other stimulants, though many offer sugar-free formulations. Examples include Red Bull and Monster. Sugar-free: Sugar-free energy drinks offer the same energy boost, but instead of sugar, they're sweetened with sucralose, stevia, monk fruit or other sugar substitutes. They're popular for folks who are trying to manage calorie intake or blood sugar levels. Natural or organic: Made with natural ingredients and often free from artificial additives, these drinks appeal to health-conscious consumers seeking an energy boost with fewer chemicals. Pre-workout: Pre-workout energy drinks contain additional ingredients beyond caffeine to support workout performance. Common ingredients include beta-alanine, betaine anhydrous, L-citrulline malate and BCAAs. Yerba mate-based: Yerba mate-based energy drinks are sparkling beverages that derive their energy-boosting properties from yerba mate, a traditional South American tea known for its caffeine content and health benefits. They offer a more natural source of energy that's less likely to cause jitters. Focus-enhancing (nootropic): Focus-enhancing energy drinks are formulated with nootropics — substances that aim to improve cognitive functions, such as mental clarity and concentration. These drinks often include ingredients like caffeine, L-theanine and other cognitive enhancers to support alertness and focus. They've gained popularity among individuals seeking a mental edge, whether for work, study or athletic performance. However, research on the effectiveness of nootropics is ongoing. Powders/tablets: These are on-the-go energy drinks in powder or tablet form. They come in single-serve packets or effervescent tablets that you mix with water before consuming. Low-calorie: There's no set standard for what's considered a low-calorie energy drink. However, this category typically contains drinks with no more than 40 calories per serving. Functional: Beyond caffeine, these beverages include ingredients that may offer additional health benefits, like vitamins, amino acids or herbal extracts. "What to look for in an energy drink ultimately depends on the individual," says Murray. Your personal goals, health status or reasons for choosing an energy drink are unique, so take them into account before making a purchase. Here are the factors to consider before hitting that Buy now button: Flavor: Regardless of how effective an energy drink might be, if you don't like it, you (probably) won't drink it. Energy drinks come in an endless array of flavor combinations. Whether flavors are natural or artificial and the types of sweeteners used affect the overall flavor and palatability. Caffeine content: "It's crucial to ensure that the amount of caffeine within the product is sufficient to support the individual's goals," says Murray. "For example, a large body of evidence indicates that if you're interested in enhancing physical performance, consuming 3-6 mg of caffeine per kilogram of body weight before exercise will help. However, smaller amounts of caffeine, in the range of 1-2 mg of caffeine per kg of body weight, can also improve some aspects of physical performance, as well as cognitive function," he adds. Our experts also note that too much caffeine can have a negative effect on health and performance, with some individuals being more sensitive to caffeine than others. "Adults should limit intake to 400 mg daily. Excessive intake can lead to issues like heart palpitations, increased blood pressure, dehydration and anxiety," says Mohr. Additionally, if you are on any medications, talk with a health professional about potential drug interactions. Added sugar: Some energy drinks are sweetened with sugar, which gets a bad rap. Truth is, sugar provides energy, and since carbohydrates are the brain's preferred source of fuel, it is important for brain power too. "Sufficient carbohydrate intake is important for maximizing performance during all types of exercise, but it's especially crucial for prolonged aerobic exercise," explains Murray. "As such, runners and other endurance athletes are likely to benefit from consuming an energy drink containing carbohydrates before and/or during their workout." That said, many Americans already consume high amounts of added sugar throughout the day, so it's important to be mindful of added sugar content and choose an energy drink that's appropriate for your needs. Calories: Similar to added sugar, the ideal amount of calories to look for ultimately depends on your health goals and needs. Keep in mind that many low-calorie energy drinks are sweetened with sugar alcohols, like sucralose, which some people prefer to avoid. Natural vs. artificial ingredients: Generally speaking, it's best to choose energy drinks containing natural ingredients, including colors and flavors. Besides being less heavily processed, these ingredients may provide health benefits. For example, green tea contains antioxidants in addition to caffeine. Nutritional profile: Reviewing the nutritional profile is important for several reasons. Besides ensuring that a product aligns with your dietary needs, it can also alert you to any nutrients present in high amounts that could lead to excessive intake if you're already taking other dietary supplements. Intended use: Identify why you'd like to start using an energy drink. Are you hitting a brick wall mid-afternoon? Do you work the night shift? Sluggish all of the time? Or maybe you feel like you need more focus at work. Or you're an athlete aiming to maximize your performance. Determining your needs will help you narrow down your options. Kleiner suggests the following, "For sports performance, use an evidence-based amount of caffeine with sugar for actual energy delivery and maybe some electrolytes. For cognitive performance, choose perhaps a smaller amount of caffeine with other evidence-based ingredients like Cognizin citicoline, some electrolytes and vitamins." Potential side effects: Some ingredients found in energy drinks may cause side effects. For example, caffeine can cause jitters and insomnia, while beta-alanine can cause a harmless tingling sensation. If you're taking prescription medications, talk to a doctor before taking energy drinks, as some ingredients may affect the medication's effectiveness. Value: Ready-to-drink (RTD) energy drinks typically cost between $1 and $3 per can, depending on the brand and size. In contrast, powdered energy drink mixes are generally more economical, with prices under $1 per serving. Taking into account factors like ingredient quality and effectiveness can ultimately help you decide the overall value of a product. In our quest for the best energy drinks, we consulted three nutrition and performance experts to gain a deeper understanding of the science behind energy drinks. Their insights guided our evaluation criteria, helping us focus on products that are more likely to deliver on their promises. Over 21 days, I tested 19 different energy drinks. Each morning, after a brisk bike ride to drop off my son at school, I would try one drink from the list. This routine allowed me to assess the immediate effects on energy and alertness throughout my workday. Taste matters! If a drink isn't palatable, it's unlikely to become a staple in your routine. So, I paid close attention to flavor profiles, sweetness levels and aftertastes, taking note of which drinks were enjoyable and which were hard to finish. Equally important was monitoring the onset and duration of the energy boost. I observed how quickly each drink took effect, whether it caused jitters and how it affected my productivity. On days when I used an energy drink to power through an afternoon slump, I also tracked its effects on my sleep quality. While we elected not to cover some popular brands, like Red Bull and Monster, due to their ingredient profiles, if these are some of your favorite energy drinks, you can see how they stack up here. An average cup of coffee typically contains 80-100 mg of caffeine, though this can vary depending on brewing methods and bean types. In contrast, energy drinks often range from 80 mg to over 400 mg of caffeine per serving, with some brands packing a more potent punch. Sugar-free energy drinks eliminate the calories associated with sugar, making them appealing to those monitoring their caloric intake. They can also be helpful for people with type 2 diabetes who are trying to manage their blood sugar levels. However, the absence of sugar doesn't automatically render them a healthier choice. These beverages often contain artificial sweeteners, which have been scrutinized for potential health implications, including disruptions to the gut microbiome and increased cardiovascular risk. The duration of an energy drink's effects varies depending on its ingredients and individual factors. Caffeine, a primary component, typically reaches peak levels in the bloodstream within 30 to 60 minutes of consumption, leading to heightened alertness and energy. The half-life of caffeine — the time it takes to eliminate half of the substance from the body — is around 5 hours, meaning its stimulating effects can persist for several hours. It's important to note that while the immediate effects may wear off within a few hours, residual caffeine can remain in your system, potentially affecting sleep if consumed later in the day. Consuming one energy drink each day is generally considered safe for most healthy adults, but it's important to be mindful of the potential health risks associated with regular intake. Energy drinks often contain high levels of caffeine and other stimulants, which can lead to increased heart rate, high blood pressure, insomnia, anxiety and digestive issues when consumed in excess. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration suggests that up to 400 mg of caffeine per day is generally safe for adults. However, some energy drinks contain caffeine levels approaching this limit in a single serving. Additionally, combining caffeine with other ingredients like sugar, herbal extracts and amino acids in energy drinks may have synergistic effects that are not fully understood. It's also worth noting that individual tolerance to caffeine varies, and certain populations — such as people who are pregnant or breastfeeding, children and adolescents, and individuals with underlying health conditions — should exercise greater caution. So, while an occasional energy drink may not pose significant health risks for most people, try not to overdo it! Common issues include insomnia, restlessness, anxiety, jitters and gastrointestinal disturbances. In some cases, they may also increase stress levels. Excessive caffeine intake from energy drinks can lead to nervousness, irritability, sleeplessness, increased urination, abnormal heart rhythms and indigestion. It's also worth noting that combining energy drinks with alcohol can mask the effects of intoxication, leading to risky behaviors. Given these potential side effects, it's advisable to consume energy drinks in moderation and be mindful of their caffeine content. In our quest to identify the best energy drinks, we rigorously tested numerous products. While many showed promise, only a select few met our high standards for taste, efficacy and overall quality. Speaking of which, noticeably missing from our testing pool are Red Bull, Monster and several other more popular energy drinks. We opted not to include them due to their ingredient profiles, though you can see how they measure up here. Here are some of the products that didn't make the cut but may still be worth considering: Optimum Nutrition's Essential Amino Energy + Hydration RTD: This pre-workout energy drink offers a bubbly, flavorful way to fuel your workout with 100 mg of caffeine, 5 g of amino acids and added electrolytes. While a close runner-up as the best energy drink for a workout, ZOA's ingredient list ultimately impressed us more. Nuun Sport+Caffeine Tablets: Nuun is known for its electrolyte tablets, and I was excited to try their Sport+Caffeine. While the flavors weren't bad, they just weren't that good. I can't see myself keeping these around and making them a staple in my routine. They also fall short on energy, with only 40 mg of caffeine per serving. EBOOST Super Fuel Natural Energy: EBOOST Super Fuel Natural Energy is a great choice for those looking for a slight caffeine boost and a serving of vitamins, minerals, nootropics and electrolytes. Unfortunately, the flavor profiles didn't measure up, and it was too sweet. GOAT Fuel Energy: GOAT Fuel Energy sets itself apart with the inclusion of cordyceps mushrooms to boost vitality, electrolytes, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and BCAAs. Each serving contains 200 mg of caffeine from natural sources, including green tea and coffee bean extracts. However, the flavors were just too strong for my taste. FitAid Energy: FitAid Energy is a solid energy drink with exciting ingredients, namely BCAAs, electrolytes, turmeric, vitamins, quercetin, CoQ10 and glucosamine. And with 200 mg of natural caffeine, that's plenty to provide a sufficient energy boost. Unfortunately, it didn't make the cut due to its lackluster flavor. FocusAid Go: FocusAid Go is a single-serve powder stick that you mix with water. It has 100 mg of caffeine from natural sources, includes nootropics for better focus and is sweetened with monk fruit. The flavor profiles aren't bad. However, the monk fruit aftertaste is what knocked the product off our "best" list. C4 Ultimate Energy: You really can't go wrong with any C4 product. This one, in particular, has 300 mg of caffeine per serving, as well as TeaCrine and Dynamine, which are intended to amplify the effects of caffeine. It was all a bit much in an energy drink, and the flavors were just too sweet. C4 Performance Energy: Another solid C4 Energy drink, the Performance option is better suited before an intense workout. C4 Performance Energy has beta-alanine, L-citrulline and citrulline malate — three ingredients commonly found in traditional pre-workout supplements. Unfortunately, the flavors simply missed the mark. Celsius Sparkling: There's nothing negative to say about Celsius Sparkling. The only reason it fell short compared to C4 Smart Energy was the flavor profiles. So, consider Celsius Sparkling a close second to our best overall pick. NOW Sports Effer-Energy: NOW Sports Effer-Energy is a flavorful, effervescent tablet that bubbles as it dissolves. Plus, it's affordable, at only 69 cents per tablet. Users will love the addition of electrolytes and vitamin B12. However, with only 36 mg of caffeine, this isn't nearly enough for people looking for a significant energy boost. Furthermore, it's sweetened with stevia, which left an undesirable aftertaste. Susan Kleiner, chief science officer for Electrolyte Boost Chris Mohr, fitness and nutrition adviser at BarBend Mike Murray, registered dietitian and researcher at Our health content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional on questions about your health.
Associated Press
04-04-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Equinox Guiding Service Offers AMGA-Certified Training to Address Safety Gaps in Climbing Gyms
Company responds to growing need for standardized staff training in indoor climbing facilities As indoor climbing gyms continue to expand across the U.S., many facilities are facing an overlooked safety concern: a lack of formal certification among staff members responsible for teaching and supervising climbers. Equinox Guiding Service, an AMGA-accredited company based in Maine, is stepping in to raise the standard by offering Climbing Wall Instructor (CWI) training programs for gym staff and instructors across the region. 'Passion for climbing doesn't always equal preparedness to teach it,' says Noah Kleiner, owner of Equinox Guiding Service and an AMGA-certified CWI Provider. 'Without standardized training, many instructors miss key safety protocols or teach inconsistent techniques — especially in high-traffic gym environments.' The AMGA Climbing Wall Instructor certification sets a national standard for indoor climbing instruction, covering belay systems, risk management, client care, and instructional methods. While many gyms rely on internal training systems, Kleiner sees third-party certification as a way to reduce liability, improve instruction, and support professional development. Equinox Guiding Service has been providing professional climbing instruction since 2016 and is known for delivering high-quality training rooted in AMGA standards. The company is currently offering 20-hour CWI courses that can be hosted at participating gyms or scheduled privately for facility teams. 'These trainings build a shared language and culture of safety,' Kleiner says. 'It's about more than a credential — it's about consistency, confidence, and care.' About Equinox Guiding Service Founded in 2016, Equinox Guiding Service is an AMGA-accredited climbing school based in Camden, Maine. Offering private guiding, technical training, and professional certification programs, Equinox specializes in creating accessible, high-quality climbing experiences across the Northeast. Equionx Guiding Service Noah Kleiner
