There are so many energy drinks in the market nowadays which are having caffeine along with other bioactive ingredients. For example, catechin polyphenols can enhance physical stamina and increase the alertness of the mind.
Thermogenic energy drinks (TED) usually have caffeine blends and substances such as guarana extracts and green tea, which are said to decrease weight. Research on TED showed that TED having 200mg of caffeine reveals circulating glycerol, expenditure of resting energy and free fatty acids.
In addition, caffeine also shows an increased rate of oxidation of fat. Meanwhile, when taking it separately shows increased Physical performance, very less is known regarding the metabolic effects of TED during physical exercise.
Do Thermogenic energy drinks (TED) burn fat?
Here are the results of some research showing if compounds in thermogenic energy drinks (TED) help in burning fat or not.
1. Green tea/ EGCG
Green tea has two components that give thermogenic effects, i.e. epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and caffeine.
As already mentioned, caffeine increases physical performance by secretion of adrenaline, which helps in burning fat and boosts metabolism. EGCG increases the effects by decreasing the adrenaline breakdown so that it will have an amplified impact.
Research also shows that green tea supplements which contain caffeine enhance the metabolism by around 4% and increase the fat-burning process by up to 16% up to 24 hours of ingestion. Meanwhile, it’s still not clear whether it helps in significant fat burn or weight loss.
Much more research is required to better understand of effects of metabolism and effects on body composition.
2. Caffeine
Caffeine is a natural stimulant found in more than 60 plants, which includes cocoa, kola nut, tea, coffee, yerba mate and guarana.
It enhances adrenaline, which is a hormone that stimulates fat cells that release fatty acids into the blood, where they are used for energy by the body cells.
This also decreases the appetite and enhances metabolism, which helps to burn fat and more calories when you eat less.
According to the research, each milligram of caffeine taken burns 0.1 calories in the next 24 hours. So, if a 150 mg caffeine pill is taken, it will burn extra 15 calories in a day.
A study on animals and humans describes that 1.4–2.3 mg doses of caffeine per pound of weight of the body (3–5 mg per kg) are more effective in increasing metabolism and the fat-burning process.
Since the effect of caffeine on metabolism is comparatively small, supplements don’t create a large effect on body weight, but they can help when caffeine is combined with food diet and changes in exercise.
3. Capsaicin
It is the molecule from which chilli pepper spices are made. The more the amount of capsaicin, the spicier the pepper is.
Likewise, caffeine and capsaicin increase the secretion of adrenaline, which boosts the metabolism and make your body burn more fat and calories.
It decreases the appetite and makes you eat fewer calories. Combining these effects, capsaicin is a powerful thermogenic substance.
A study showed that a substance containing capsaicin could enhance metabolism by around 50 calories per day, which may result in significant weight loss with time.
However, supplements having 6mg capsaicin daily, are more likely to reduce belly fat in a period of three months.
4. Yohimbine
It is a chemical which is derived from the bark of the African Yohimbe tree, and usually, it is consumed as a thermogenic energy drink.
It increases the function of many hormones such as dopamine, adrenaline and noradrenaline, which is said to increase the metabolism of fat.
In a study, it is shown that athletes who take a daily dose of 20 mg of yohimbine for up to 3 weeks have up to 2% lesser body fat than other athletes.
More research is required to clear the effects of yohimbine.
