It’s works great as a post workout drink to replenish what is lost. But I also prefer it every time I get the urge for something sweet. Lucozade Alert matches the standard 32mg per 100ml caffeine content of its competitors, while also containing vitamin B3, alternatively known as niacin. What makes Lucozade Alert stand out is its flavour, giving you that well-loved glucosey taste that made the original a household name, now with an additional caffeine boost. If you want to stray a little from the classic flavours, Alert is also available in Tropical and Cherry Blast flavours. Some people may have medical conditions that call for them to consume less protein, but as long as you’re a healthy individual and you don’t get any stomach aches from drinking protein water, there’s no concern, Carpenter says. Who should drink protein water? However, ​ functionality is likely to drive consumer interest in the years following the pandemic as consumers seek ways of sustaining their health and general wellbeing through functional ingredients.”​

This one’s a nuanced one because it really depends on your daily lifestyle and what type of exercise you do. Here’s what Medlin suggests based on your workout routine: Per 330ml, it contains 106mg of natural caffeine from green coffee beans, “Brainberry” nootropics, and zero added sugars. Enter: protein water. If this phrase sounds a bit foreign to you, don’t be intimidated – protein water is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a type of water ‘enhanced with some sort of supplemental protein,’ says Dana White, MS, RD, ATC, a registered dietitian and nutrition consultant specialising in sports nutrition. In addition to that, impulse-buy locations, important for the water plus category [functional, flavoured and juicy waters], had much lower footfall during the pandemic if they managed to stay open.​Protein water, like all protein products, is an ultra-processed food, explains Medlin. ‘Despite the "health halo" of the protein, it really isn’t something that most people need to be consuming and it is likely to make people less healthy overall rather than more healthy. It would be far better to add a protein food source to your diet such as yoghurt, nuts or skimmed milk and a glass of water to avoid the ultra processing of these products.’ We think Grenade ® is one of the most exciting sports nutrition companies in the market today. Thanks to their great taste and performance properties, we’re seeing sales soar at gyms, universities and health conscious work places. Upbeat Protein water Taurine is important to many of the body’s metabolic processes and helps improve cardiovascular health. It’s also thought to have antioxidant properties. This amino acid occurs naturally in meat, fish and dairy products. There isn’t much consensus as to the positive effects of taurine, though some studies suggest it improves athletic performance, as well as mental performance when consumed alongside caffeine. Sugar content remains a key consumer for UK consumers – as well as for manufacturers, given the 2018 introduction of the UK’s sugar tax. This will continue to be a factor for functional waters and the wider water plus category. What I see a lot as a dietitian is that many people consume enough protein, say, gram-for-gram based on what their needs are, but the timing of it is lousy,’ White says, explaining that they might barely consume protein during the day and then have one large meal at night. ‘It’s much more efficient to spread out your protein,’ especially for active individuals, she says.

At best, energy drinks can help you feel more awake, giving you a boost after consumption. However, feeling energised and feeling focused are two different things. There’s the question of what else is in your protein drink, like a lot of sugar or an artificial sweetener that you personally might not want to consume regularly. If you want to drink one on a daily basis, weigh the pros and cons – yes, you could be consuming more protein, but you could also be ‘doing yourself a disservice in another department,’ White says. If, however, you’re veggie or vegan and you struggle to include protein in your diet – or you’re training in the gym, lifting weights and wanting to gain muscle, you may want a little more than 0.75g per kg per day.

Tasty, energising and full of supplemental ingredients, the best energy drinks will quench your thirst while giving you an all-round boost

Obviously, it adds more protein [to your diet] so if you are someone who is struggling to meet their protein needs and if you don’t like milky foods this may be helpful. That said, one of the great benefits of protein is that it keeps us satisfied which these drinks won’t do so you’d always be better with a food source of protein and a glass of water,’ adds Medlin. Are there any downsides to protein water? It comes in delicious flavours of Blueberry & Raspberry and Summer Lemon, and are scientifically proven to help with stamina, energy and mental performance. I do like multipurpose products and this UPBeat protein water definitely has that. Here’s the proof: Grenade’s ® innovative sports performance energy protein bars and shakes have a huge following ranging from professional athletes, fitness enthusiasts and military personnel in 100 countries worldwide.

It contains all nine essential amino acids to keep the body strong, aid muscle repair and reduces bone loss. Note: With this being the highest concentration caffine beverage on our list, we would encourage you to employ caution and restraint when consuiming it. Always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines as well as any advice you may have received from healthcare professionals. Protein water is basically water that's been infused with extra protein,’ says Sohee Carpenter, CSCS, a fitness and nutrition coach, WH advisor, sports science PhD student, and author of Eat. Lift. Thrive. A lot of brands have between 10 and 20 grams of protein, and it’s usually fruit-flavoured, she says, adding that it’s ‘a really easy, convenient way to get in extra protein.’ Another factor to consider when consuming energy drinks is that they tend to be high in sugar, which, similar to caffeine, is fine in moderation. To be mindful of this, however, we’ll also link to sugar-free versions of our favourite drinks where available.

Each bottle of UPBeat Protein Water contains spring water for hydration, real fruit, for a great and refreshing taste, and the whey protein is vegetarian and contains all nine essential amino acids to keep the body strong. It also has essential vitamins B5 to support mental performance and vitamins B5, B6 and B12 to support metabolism and to help reduce stress and fatigue. With the likelihood that British consumers will remain more home-centric than pre-pandemic, water plus companies must do more to make water plus products available to consumers, especially through home delivery availability,"​ said Bell. Ginseng, in its fresh form, is a type of root popular in traditional Chinese medicine. It’s widely taken for its antioxidant properties and possible increases in mental performance and energy levels, although many of its health benefits remain unproven.