When you are talking about Red Bull, 5-hour ENERGY or Amp, people know you are referring to energy drinks. They are all the rage as a way to replenish our bodies quickly when we are rundown. But, before you reach for your next drink, there are some things you should know.

Energy drinks are designed to give you more boost in your day. Mid-afternoon is usually the time when you feel weary. After work you have to worry about taking care of your home, and you can feel tired just thinking about it because you are already spent.

You may then reach for energy drinks and fir the next hour or two you are walking on air with energy to burn.  They help you get through the evening, but can have side effects:

* Crashing and burning – You get more energy for a longer period of time than if you eat a sugary candy bar, but the inevitable happens. You will notice a spike in your blood sugar levels as you go about accomplishing all the chores you were previously too tired to do, but then you will feel so sluggish and your energy is even less than before.

* Weight gain – Many of these energy drinks are mostly sugar and caffeine. Caffeine is known to be an energy booster, but all that sugar will find its way into your bloodstream and if it is not needed, it will be stored in the body as fat. As these drinks can be high in calories, without knowing it, more and more of your daily intake of calories will be empty ones.

* Elevated caffeine levels – Too much caffeine is not advantageous for your body. It can lead to irritability, high blood pressure and even sleeplessness. After all your work is done you want to sleep, but the levels of caffeine can prevent this. If you already suffer from heart problems, diabetes or high blood pressure, consuming energy drinks may not be the best idea for you.

* Withdrawal – Energy drinks are not a substitute for sleep or proper nutrition. Your body will begin to crave caffeine after you have stopped drinking energy drinks. This can lead to headaches, mood swings and even nausea.

There are some energy drinks that promise long energy throughout the day. What they don’t tell you is that there is a downside. The ingredients that give you a boost during the day can have long-lasting side effects.