食品伙伴网报道，据美国营养成分网8月19日消息，最新发表的2篇论文对能量饮料是否可作为运动饮料以及是否对减肥节食有效提出了质疑。
来自美国佛罗里达的诺瓦东南大学的研究人员，对市场上现有的能量饮料的潜在益处做了调研，研究结果发表在了 Physician and Sportsmedicine杂志。
目前市面上的能量饮料不仅作为能源补充者的角色出现，而且还扮演了运动饮料的角色。研究者称：大部分的具有功能增强性的能量饮料都与其含有咖啡因密不可分，虽然咖啡因对低氧运动的影响会改变，但人们却一直关注它对有氧运动的增强的一面。同时，能量饮料中含有大量的糖，高糖水平和果糖的通便作用可能会导致肠胃不适，且相对于肠道的吸收率来说，能量饮料中的糖浓度过高，并不是很理想的运动饮料。
而在减肥这个问题上，虽然有一些数据显示，能量饮料和运动相结合可减少体内的脂肪，但研究者说，不要忘记，能量饮料中含有大量的糖，在咖啡因和大量的糖同时存在时，会导致肥胖。
原文报道：
Are energy drinks cut out for sports and slimming?
By Guy Montague-Jones, 19-Aug-2010
Two newly published papers have questioned how effective energy drinks are as sports drinks and whether they have a role to play in weight loss.
Writing in the Physician and Sportsmedicine, researchers at Nova Southeastern University in Florida reviewed current evidence on the potential benefits of energy drinks.
The drinks are now being promoted not just as energy boosters but as sports beverages but evidence is mixed on their suitability. Assistant professor Stephanie Ballard said: “Most of the performance-enhancing effects of energy drinks can be linked to their caffeine content. Caffeine has been consistently been observed to enhance aerobic performance, although its effects on anaerobic performance may vary.”
Sugar content
Energy drinks are also not simple vehicles for caffeine consumption. In a review on energy drink use and safety for athletes in Physician and Sportsmedicine, scientists said they contain significant quantities of sugar, which could work positively or negatively in pursuit of better sporting performance.
On the upside, the researchers wrote: “The sugars in energy drinks (particularly glucose) may act synergistically to enhance the effects of caffeine. When consumed in sufficient amounts, the sugar may be used as carbohydrates in loading regimens to enhance exercise performance.”
However, high sugar levels and the laxative effect of fructose may cause gastrointestinal distress. In addition, the scientists said: “The high concentration of sugars in energy drinks tends to slow the rate of fluid absorption from the intestine; therefore, it is not ideal to consume energy drinks before or during exercise.”
Weight loss
On the subject of weight loss there is plenty of conflicting evidence, and a lot appears to depend on how and how much energy drinks are consumed.
Ballard said: “Although some data suggest that combining energy drink use with exercise may enhance body fat reduction. Increases in burning calories and losing weight are likely subject to diminishing returns as users become habituated to caffeine.
The scientist added that it is important not to forget that energy drinks are loaded with sugar. “Despite their use for weight loss, energy drinks may be contributing to the obesity epidemic alongside less caffeinated, sugary drinks like soda.”
原文地址：http://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/Research/Are-energy-drinks-cut-out-for-sports-and-slimming
