I was wondering if you've ever taken Red Bull or any kind of energy drinks. I have, and I found it useful. I know these drinks are really dangerous, that's why I would like to know if there are any other "substitutes". I'm a nervous person, and these drinks are not recommended for nervous people. Actually, they're not recommended in general.

I haven't done sport for a long time, but I'm going to start again. I think it's the best way to have loads of energy to sit down for so many hours.
Nevertheless, I'm interested in any drinks/pills/vitamins to boost my energy with no risks.

Any suggestions, please? Thanks!

lots and lots and LOTS of water.

When I was doing chemo I had to add an additional 3 litres of water to my diet every day, and used some electrolyte drinks to make sure my potassium levels were up.

That's going to wash the "bad stuff" out of your system, AND improve your metabolism.

Most people simply do not drink enough water that isn't full of sugar and caffine.

That's all the Red Bull sh--- you need

Diet and exercise.

I know it's cliche, but a good diet and steady exercise regimen is easily the best and probably the only way to maintain one's energy.

And cozy is correct. Water fuels all of the body's processes.

The safest and best methods to increase energy, Alvaro, are what you already know: get plenty of exercise and sleep and eat a healthy diet. Take a daily multivitamin, but don't overdo them. (Your body will simply excrete excess levels of certain vitamins, like C; excess levels of other certain vitamins and minerals, like iron, can kill you. )

If you start sagging at the bench, take a 10 minute break and walk briskly around your neighborhood. You'll be amazed at how much of an energy boost you'll get from that.

Alvaro,

I'm a pretty big Red Bull drinker (in fact, I'm finishing one RIGHT NOW!), but trying to cut down. If I drink too much I can get a little shaky, and also get heart palpatations.

However, most mornings I skip breakfast so they come in useful to wake me up a little (i save the coffee for afternoon).

Not too sure about the pills/vitamins - you could try something with guarana in it? If you can find them, a multivitamin called 'Wellman' is pretty good for all-round health.

No such thing. There is generally no "magic pill" that will "boost your energy" without a certain level of risk, health effects. Many have mentioned more long term healthy ways to boost metabolism (exercise, lift weights (not Mr Olympia type weights, just enough to maintain or slightly increase muscle, this is a great way to increase metabolism), eat healthier foods) and that is the best long term solution, not just for playing, but just generally for your life.

That being said, I nice shot of pure Oxygen will definitely put a little more spring in your step. Effects don't last very long and it can get expensive, but it is a nice pick me up

In addition to lots of water, try Green Smoothies: put 2 bananas, water, several handfuls of spinach or other green leafy vegetables, and a piece of avocado in a blender and blend for 30 seconds. Yum! I'm drinking one right now.

i think those energy drinks are really unhealthy drinks. if you check the label and see how astonishingly high sugar content, you'd understand how bad it is!

i don't drink such thing and don't want to get fat for a few minutes sugar high.

You could try caffeine and sugar, that is what people drink to get a boost. There is plenty of drink and food that contains both.

I mostly drink water and juice but it only quench my thirst.

Serge

Loads of energy while sitting down doesn't make sense to me If you're going to run a marathon, you need energy. Sitting down won't require much

Kidding aside, I assume you're talking about sitting at the piano and you want to be more alert/attentive. Any high caffine energy drink will probalby do the trick, but my opinion is none of them come without side effects. My suggestion would be to do some kind of aerobic exercise before sitting down. I won't bore you to death with the science, but have you ever exercised just before going to bed and had trouble getting to sleep? You might as well drink a cup of coffee before bed.

Look into creatine.

I agree with Troy about exercise. On the days I get up early and go for a run first thing in the morning, I feel much more energetic during the rest of the day than on the days I don't exercise.

Only if the piano bench has seatbelts.

I don't think the energy drinks are harmful as long as you don't exceed the recommended limit. Most energy drinks say not to drink more than one per day because of the caffiene and taurine in them. I know people who exceed that, but I would imagine that is where the problems would occur.

Energy is a physical and mental thing and they are likely also related. I've found that exercise and sleep are major determinants of energy as well engaging in activities that lead to high self esteem and morale.

As a runner it is known that caffeine is a performance enhancer, I'm sure energy drinks work and creatine has been proven in the lab to do something (but I don't trust necessarily that you can buy it effectively in a supplement).

In sum I see nothing wrong with coffee and other forms of caffeine daily as a boost and even a red bull in an emergency. The real solution though is exercise, diet, mental and I guess I would add spiritual for that matter.

Maybe I'm wrong, but I thought creatine was only used as a muscle-improver (by retaining water in the muscles, or something), instead of as an energy release? Don't really see how it would benefit piano playing myself.

I don't think the original poster was talking about piano exercise. But yes - creatine is far more beneficial in power-type exercise (like weightlifting) than aerobic/endurance. The nice thing about it, is that it's natural.

Oops - I've just missed the point of the entire thread!

the ONLY energy drink I will even touch is red bull, it has vitamines and stuff in it. All the other brands from what I can tell have way more crap in them. I never crash after red bull.

try some vitamin water, it will hydrate you and give you some vitamins that you need. i dont know if you have them over there, but it might be something to look into. caffeine will dehydrate you bring you up and drop you on your face, water a healthy diet and excercise there is no miracle to energy, it must come from within.

Creatine may improve your ability to produce large amounts of power quickly (for a few seconds) in sporting events, but should not "give you more energy" for day to day activities.

I'll definately second the ideas of regular exercise (especially running) and lots of fruit and vegetables. One thing I've found is getting up early in the morning and going to bed early. I seem to get so much more done!

So does (Vitamin-Enriched) Coke Plus, but just because there's vitamins in it, doesn't mean it's "good" for ya.

Mostly, those "vitamins" just make expensive wizz.

As MD I can only say:

anyone who eats regulary healthy food DOES NOT NEED any supplemental vitamins or other food supplements.

All vitamins and other additives added to milk, beverages, coco powder, candies etc etc have only one aim: to make such brands more expensive and make you spend more.

Healthy diet, regular excercize and (very important) regular rest (thus no sleepless nights) are the only correct formula for healthy living and working, as to prevent a lot of illnesses.

RedBull, Guaranaa and other simmilar stuff with sympathicomimetic action are nothing else but whipping a tired horse - harm only, no benefit.

Red bull is still really good if you go techno dancing tho hehe

Unfortunately I have seen young people die during these parties because mixing RedBull and xtc

Bluemarine: I've heard that. That's why I had some kind of Phobia...

Exercise and a healthy diet are the keys, as all of you have wisely mentioned.