Question: Are Vitamin Drinks a Good Idea?

Answer: Getting extra vitamins into our diet is always a good idea, especially when many of us struggle to fit our five a day into our meals. Taking vitamins in liquid form is a great way to make things easier and ensure that we keep topped up all the time. In the short term, vitamin drinks are a great pick-me-up on the move, and over the course of a longer day, a full complement of iron, calcium, and vitamin C etc. will make sure that we’re not run down and alert enough to get the most out of the hours in the day. Finally, by keeping our systems strong, it’s less likely that we’ll come down with any of the usual seasonal ailments like colds and flu, which can make an already gloomy time of year even worse.

Accept no alternatives…

It’s important to make sure that the vitamin drinks we’re taking in are actually healthy and not simply crammed full of sugar. That will keep us pepped for an hour, but the inevitable crash will leave us feeling even worse than we were before. The ingredients on the label here are the key. If you see something along the lines of “Carbonated Water, Sugar…” or “Carbonated Water, Glucose”, then it’s best to put that brand back and try something else.  A high amount of caffeine is not what you’re looking for either, as this will have the same effect. 

Instead, keep an eye out for the drinks with actual fresh fruit (or even concentrate), along with other natural ingredients like nuts or pumpkin seeds. Natural yoghurt is also great for energy also. 

Why not make your own?

It makes sense to try your hand at coming up with your own energy shakes and drinks by investing perhaps in a smoothie maker that includes a transportable container. Not only does this make economic sense in the long term, but it also means that you can sure that everything you’re taking in is completely natural.

Here a quick overview of what you could think about including-

Vitamin A- Strengthens immunity and keeps the eyes sharp, Vitamin A also repairs damage tissue (particularly after strenuous exercise) and helps with growth. It’s found in mangos and apricots, as well as milk and eggs. Shredded carrot is also a nice addition to a shake and full of Vitamin A.

Iron- The root of our red blood cell count and as such responsible for the dispersal of oxygen all around the body, a low iron count means that we lose focus and become sluggish. Avoid becoming dull by adding some diced dried fruit or even a few flakes of a bran cereal to your shake.

Vitamin C- The antioxidant to beat them all, Vitamin C works out the contaminants from our systems and even protects us from serious illnesses like heart disease and cancer. As well keeping our colds and flus less severe it also helps the bones and the rest of the body to digest iron. It’s found in all the fun fruits like oranges, kiwis, and strawberries, and will give you a long lasting pick me up that sugar and caffeine that can only dream of.

To really get the fruit bar or Jamba Juice effect, try adding chilled natural yoghurt or ice to give a revitalising kick, or even experiment with freezing fruit overnight to keep things cool.  

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John Keane is a full time pharmacist and owner of Keanes Pharmacy. Why not discuss this topic confidentially with John anytime in person at Keanes Pharmacy, Austin Friars or 0449342884 ©Keanes Pharmacy