Energy drink for truckers
Energy drink for truckers
Driving a truck is one of the most dangerous jobs in the world. So, what do these tough guys drink, and which energy drink is suitable for truckers?
The answer to this question is quite simple—just take a look at what’s in the trash bins at truck parking lots.
Unfortunately, beer cans and energy drink containers dominate. And that’s terrible.
Of course, when drivers are on the road, they don’t drink beer, but energy drinks and coffee flow like water. We already know how coffee affects drivers, and if not, you can read the article “Fell Asleep at the Wheel” which describes what to expect from this drink. But what can be expected from various energy drinks?
Energy drinks and truckers: what to expect from such a friendship?
There are many different energy drinks that attract consumers with colorful packaging, promising advertisements, pleasant taste, and ease of use. No need to brew, pour, or mix anything—just open the can, drink, and get the desired result. Perfect.
However, behind such simplicity, availability, and pleasant taste, there are, as always, some nuances that energy drink manufacturers often overlook.
First, let’s talk about the advantages. In addition to the already mentioned benefits, we can add the following:
- accelerated reaction time;
- increased endurance;
- elimination of drowsiness while driving;
- improved mood;
- enhanced overall well-being.
Now for the pitfalls:
If you drink an energy drink once or twice a week, nothing terrible will happen. But the ease of use, great taste, and energizing effect tempt us to resort to energy drinks more and more often. Everyone wants to always be energetic and resilient.
Energy drinks contain many different stimulating substances, but we are only interested in those that can cause harm. The two main enemies for our bodies are sugar and caffeine. Other stimulants, such as guarana, ginseng, or taurine, are present in amounts too small to cause harm or provide therapeutic effects. However, there is a significant amount of sugar and caffeine.
Let’s assume you drank a can of an energy drink, liked the taste, and how it affected your body. A few days later, you bought another one, then a pack of 12…
Over time, you start drinking them daily, and when you have a lot of work, feel tired and sleepy, you grab another can. Eventually, you reach a point where you drink energy drinks every day, sometimes even two cans a day, but the desired effect is no longer there. They no longer energize you as they once did, but without them, you feel even worse.
Now you are irritable, sleep poorly, and often suffer from insomnia. You visit the restroom more frequently and feel constant anxiety. You are always thirsty, have an increased heart rate, and, most importantly, don’t understand what’s happening to you. You can’t work a day without energy drinks anymore and have forgotten what energy, calmness, and a good mood feel like.
If you don’t stop in time, excessive consumption of such drinks, according to American scientists, can lead to serious health problems such as seizures, convulsions, diabetes, and more.
So how can you stay energetic without harming yourself?
Natural Energy Drinks for Truckers
You might be surprised, but there are natural ways to stay energetic and healthy at the same time. Yes, they aren’t as convenient as a store-bought energy drink, not as tasty, and their effect isn’t as pronounced. They’re not advertised and aren’t trendy.
Here are a few drinks that will help you feel more awake, build endurance, and won’t harm your health.
The simplest energy drink for a trucker — water with honey and lemon
One of the simplest invigorating drinks to replace coffee and energy drinks is water with lemon and honey. Simply mix warm water with lemon juice and add natural honey to taste.
Do not add honey to hot water or, even worse, boiling water; otherwise, you’ll end up with poison instead of a refreshing natural drink!
This drink will help you fight drowsiness, boost your energy levels, and provide your body with vitamin C as well as the beneficial enzymes and vitamins found in honey.
Cocoa
Cocoa is considered a natural energy drink with a calming effect. It is a popular coffee substitute. While it contains caffeine, it has significantly less than coffee. The main active compound in cocoa is the alkaloid theobromine, a mild stimulant with invigorating and toning effects.
Theobromine improves blood flow to the brain, strengthens memory and concentration. It works much gentler than caffeine and lasts significantly longer. Additionally, theobromine calms and stimulates the production of the happiness hormone — serotonin.
Cocoa lowers blood pressure, reduces asthma symptoms, and is beneficial for the heart and blood vessels. It contains a natural antidepressant, tryptophan, polyunsaturated fatty acids that normalize cholesterol levels in the blood, iron, zinc, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, and melanin pigment, which protects the skin from excessive UV exposure.
Cocoa contains more antioxidants than tea and red wine.
Chicory
Another coffee substitute is chicory root. The drinks are almost identical in appearance. Although chicory is not an energy drink for truck drivers, it deserves a spot on this list. Chicory is great for improving a driver’s well-being. It contains glycoside intybin, which gives it bitterness, normalizes heart rhythm, and positively affects the nervous system. Chicory root also contains the prebiotic inulin, which promotes beneficial bacteria in the gut. Chicory is rich in vitamins and trace elements, increases tissue sensitivity to insulin, enhances calcium absorption, and chicoric acid protects liver cells from damage.
You can easily buy chicory powder in tea and coffee shops or pharmacies.
To prepare a healthy drink from chicory, you need 0.5–1 teaspoon of chicory powder and 200 ml of hot water.
Do not pour boiling water over it, as this reduces the beneficial properties of the drink.
Pour water over the chicory, add lemon, honey, or citrus juice to taste. Milk or cream can also be added, just like coffee.
Guarana — the best energy drink for truck drivers?
Guarana, a plant from the Amazon basin, is most common in Brazil. Guarana seeds are rich in natural caffeine. Ground into a powder, guarana seeds are used to make soft drinks, energy drinks, dietary supplements, and weight-loss products. It is also widely used in sports nutrition.
The list of beneficial properties of this plant is truly impressive:
- increases physical endurance;
- helps with weight loss;
- improves mood;
- boosts overall energy levels;
- enhances concentration and memory;
- supports cognitive functions;
- improves skin condition;
- reduces symptoms of depression;
- alleviates hangover effects.
Reading about these benefits makes it clear that guarana is one of the best, if not the best, natural energy boosters for truck drivers.
Historians say that it was used by indigenous tribes. They collected seeds, dried them, ground them into powder, and consumed them as infusions or drinks before hunting or long journeys.
A guarana drink can be prepared right in the truck.
1 teaspoon per 200 ml of hot water (not boiling). Infuse for 15 minutes. Add sugar, honey, or condensed milk to taste. In the field, you can simply take the powder dry and wash it down with water.
Guarana resembles coffee or light brown cocoa in color, with a woody taste. Ground seeds are mixed with fruits, chocolate, dairy products, honey, or condensed milk.
The energizing effect of guarana is more pronounced than that of morning coffee. However, it acts more gently and lasts much longer — from 1.5 to 8 hours.
It is recommended to consume in the morning or at lunch, no more than one cup of drink per day.
Take care of your health — no one else will do it for you. Energy drinks for truck drivers should only be natural.
Good health behind the wheel means safety for you and other road users, timely deliveries for the recipient, and an undamaged truck for the owner.
Safe travels!
No coordinates.
