Homemade Energy Drinks

With just a little preparation, natural drinks fuel the body with multiple servings of long-term energy. Quenching the mid-morning thirst with a sugary and caffeinated rush only leads to more caffeine and sugar. Manufactured energy drinks spike blood glucose levels and cause fatigue. Don't throw off the whole day with empty calories and chemical additives. Give the body an energy boost that is healthy as well as hydrating with nutritional homemade energy drinks.

Honey

Green tea is the most widely consumed beverage world-wide.

Honey is a source of nutrient-rich carbohydrates. One tbsp. of honey provides 17 gm. of high-energy fuel for fatigued muscle tissue. Whether surviving a mid-morning crash or hydrating after a workout, carbohydrates restore muscle glycogen. Add honey to a bottle of water to hydrate the next work out. Honey contains enzymes, minerals, vitamins, and amino acids important to the health and development of muscle tissue. Quench late-afternoon thirst with limeade made from the juice of 12 to 15 limes. Mix and pour 1 cup of honey and a handful of mint leaves into 2 qt. of water. This natural homemade energy drink is loaded with vitamin C.

Green Tea

Green tea boosts the metabolism and helps burn fat. Polyphenols, such as catechin, are found in green tea and responsible for fat-burning effects, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Prepared hot or cold, drink green tea before a workout to stabilize blood sugar, increase energy and reduce muscle fatigue. Create a 16-oz. green tea energy drink by combining 2 tbsp. honey and 2 tsp. bee pollen powder to 16 oz. hot or cold water. Add ginseng extract for an extra-energy boost. Bee pollen contains essential fatty and amino acids.

Guarana

Shaped like the body, ginseng has long been an energizing root.

Guarana is an energy-enhancing seed extracted from the Brazilian cocoa plant. Although guarana does contain caffeine, it dissolves slowly while maintaining a lasting boost of tannin, similar to that found in green tea. Grind two seeds for each cup of water. Crush the seeds with a coffee-grinder; boil the powder for 10 minutes and drink. Create a 16-oz. drink by grinding four seeds. Guarana seeds are strong, so this tea requires only a few seeds. Boil and refrigerate the guarana, add mint leaves, crushed pineapple or pineapple juice to taste.

Ephedra

The purest form of hydrating energy during a workout is water.

With a long history of medicinal use for respiratory ailments, ephedra leaves have a strong pine odor and a bitter taste. A derivative of ephedra is an over-the-counter diet aid. Used as a high-energy tea, ephedra leaves provide a safe energy boost. Ephedra may be purchased on-line or at a health food store. Mix 2 tbsp. honey to 6 to 10 ephedra leaves. Steep these blended ingredients in 1 cup hot water for 10 minutes. Cool and drain the leaves. Add the ephedra and honey mixture to another cup of cold water. Drink a 16-oz. bottle of this innovative energy boost mid-workout.