Prime drink and its nutritional ingredients and their side effects
Prime drink also known to satisfy thirst are being produced for hydration and energy and are sold in the US and UK as sports and energy drinks, are generally considered to be safe and healthy. Sportsmen and fitness enthusiasts normally choose to drink such energy and hydration drinks to cope with the loss of water, minerals and energy from their bodies. Prime drink for energy is a flavoured drink and it consists of nutritional ingredients as listed below;
- Filtered Water – to support health and maintain the immune system
- Coconut Water – contains various minerals and electrolytes like potassium, calcium, manganese, antioxidants, amino acids and cytokine
- Citric Acid – is an organic compound generally used as a preservative
- Dipotassium Phosphate – it’s the inorganic compound which improves strength by increasing our body’s efficiency in transporting oxygen to muscles and thereby helps in energy production
- Tri Magnesium Citrate – it’s a combination of magnesium and citric acid used as a source of food supplements
- Pyridoxine – is vitamin B6 used to utilize the energy of the food we eat. It produces red blood cells and also enhances the functioning of nerves
- Sucralose – Artificial sweetener
- Beta Carotene – added as a food colour
- L-Isoleucine, L-Leucine and L-Valine – Amino acids used as nutritional supplements for normal metabolism and maintaining the health of muscles
- D-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate – Is a form of vitamin Eused to treat and prevent vitamin deficiencies
- Acesulfame Potassium – Artificial sweetener
- Retinyl PalmitateV – Used as an antioxidant and a source of vitamin A
- Zinc Aspartate i.e., zinc, magnesium, and vitamin B6etc. which boosts muscle growth and strength
Though it is safe and healthy, the above list of nutritional ingredients that make Prime drink; confirms to have citric acid and artificial sweeteners like sucralose and Acesulfame Potassium which, if consumed by teenagers, pregnant or nursing women or individuals who are sensitive to caffeine and other adults on a regular and prolonged basis, may cause health complications. The human body has its own mechanism which maintains its biochemical balance and immune system etc. in a natural way. Despite having the aforementioned nutritional ingredients, if one becomes used to drinking such flavoured energy drinks and persists with the habit it may interfere with our body’s working mechanism and disturb its bio-chemical balance in the following ways;
• Gut Microbiome Imbalance –
The Gut microbiome consists of microbes that are helpful and potentially harmful too. Most of the microbes are symbiotic which benefits both the human body and microbiota and some of the microbes; in smaller numbers are pathogenic that promote diseases. In a healthy human, where the body’s biochemical balance is well maintained, pathogenic and symbiotic microbiota co-exist without any problem. However, when there is a disturbance in that balance because of the prolonged use of certain artificial sweeteners as listed in the above list of nutritional ingredients of Prime drink, it causes an imbalance in bacteria in our guts which in turn; results in our body becoming more susceptible to diseases.
Gut microbiome imbalance causes the human body to become glucose intolerant which leads to diseases like obesity, diabetes, stroke and heart attack etc.
• Systemic inflammation –
Use of artificial sweeteners as listed in the above list of nutritional ingredients of Prime drink may induce changes in gut bacteria and gut wall immune reactivity, which could adversely affect individuals with chronic inflammatory conditions such as Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), a disorder that has been growing rampantly in western countries. Chronic systemic inflammation is the result of the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines from immune-related
❖ Conclusion –
Having a homemade and natural energy drink is the best way to maintain the electrolyte balance in the body. It also helps you feel confident. However, you do not have to choose chemicals, caffeine and sugar-loaded beverages or the beverages available in the market with artificial sweeteners as listed in the above list of nutritional ingredients of Prime drink. Prolonged use of such chemically packed beverages would exhibit adverse effects on our health.
Did you know that it is possible to make healthy and natural energy drinks at home? All that our body needs are already present in nature. Below mentioned are the ways to make natural energy drinks. Just go through the options of energy drinks listed below with natural & healthy ingredients;
1. Ginger and Cardamom
Want a no-caffeine and no-sugar drink to fill you with energy in the morning? Try this ginger and cardamom energy drink that uses easily found ingredients and gets ready in minutes. Cut 2 thin slices of peeled ginger in your cup and juice ½ inch of fresh ginger root in it. Add ¼ teaspoon of ground cardamom, ¼ teaspoon of turmeric powder and 1-2 teaspoons of pure honey(without sugar) to suit your taste in the mug and fill it with hot water. Ginger increases blood circulation and stimulates metabolism, turmeric raises energy levels and cardamom is very well known to boost energy levels and improve blood circulation.
2. Kokum in Coconut Water
Kokum has been associated with many health benefits, including cooling the body from within and aiding digestion. When it’s combined with coconut water, this drink will be a blessing for your energy levels and taste buds. In a glass, add 2 teaspoons of sugar-free kokum syrup and mix 3 teaspoons of black salt. Then add 1 cup of coconut water and a dash of lemon juice. If you like, you can add 1-2 teaspoons of sugar, but it is better to avoid it as the coconut water is already mildly sweet.
3. Coconut Water with Lemon and mint
A quick energy drink to quench your thirst with just 4 ingredients. Try this coconut water with lemon and mint as an energy drink that uses easily found ingredients and gets ready in just 15 minutes. 1 coconut, 1 lemon, 4 to 5 mint leaves and 1 teaspoon of honey. Break coconut and empty water in a glass, scrape off coconut meat with a spoon chop it finely and add it in coconut water and add mint leaves, honey and lemon juice and mix it and stir it well and serve. Coconut water boosts energy if consumed after a workout, lemon juice promotes weight loss, improves immunity, battles infections and prevents cancer, mint leaves improve Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), and improve digestion and honey is a good source of antioxidants with antibacterial and antifungal properties.
4. Coconut Iced Tea
It’s not necessary to have caffeine to wake you up and fill you with energy. This coconut water iced tea provides you with a burst of energy while supplying your system with antioxidants. Thinly slice ⅛ cucumber and put it in the fridge to cool while you get your drink ready. In a jug, add 1 cup of cold brewed green tea, 1 teaspoon of honey, ¼ teaspoon of rock salt and 1 cup of coconut water and stir it well. Add the cold cucumbers to the drink and enjoy the refreshing energy boost.
5. Banana and Greens Smoothie
This natural energy drink is for those who opt for high-intensity workouts and muscle-strengthening training. Banana and greens smoothie enriched with whey protein supplies electrolytes and provides good carbs to start off your day. In a blender jar, add 1 ripe banana, 2 teaspoons of almond butter (or ½ cup of raw almonds), 1 scoop sugar-free whey protein, 2 washed and chopped kale leaves (one can also use spinach), ½ cup yoghurt, 1 cup non-dairy milk of your choice and ½ teaspoon ground flax seeds. You can skip whey protein if you do not have it and add 2 teaspoons of curd water instead. Blend until smooth, pour in a glass and drink immediately to renew your protein levels and overcome fatigue.
Kindly remember natural and fresh fruits, vegetables and juices are the best options ever to maintain our health and immune system and thus live a healthy life. Packaged drinks and juices with preservatives, artificial sweeteners and vitamins etc. may provide good taste and immediate remedy to overcome vitamin deficiencies and maintain the bio-chemical balance of our body but; they are certainly not the ways to be relied on & consumed persistently to let our body naturally maintain its working mechanism without any side effects and causing life-threatening diseases in the long run.
Significant Note:
Following natural healing practices in our lives results in our overall well-being and consequently, nurture our relation with the natural world. Natural remedies are powerful and they could be considered as useful and effective substitutes for professional allopathic medical care and practices.
However, before resorting to any natural healing program, especially when we are on any medications or have any treatment going on for our existing health conditions we must always consult our concerned healthcare experts so that, considering the limitations of our health or whether we are allergic to certain remedies we can have significant guidance of our health experts.
By adopting natural remedies and believing in their healing power we can enhance our physical and mental health leading to a more balanced and satisfying life. We must respect traditional practices and religiously follow natural healing practices for the benefit of mankind and nature.
